The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo on Wednesday declared a state of emergency on roads and other key infrastructure in the state.
Also, he said his government has foreclosed further political appointments.
Soludo stated this during a Town Hall meeting with all the traditional rulers, Presidents General of communities, youths, and women groups held in Awka the state capital.
He said the government would commence massive construction work on roads across the three Senatorial Districts of the state in order to ease the movement of goods and services.
The governor promised to complete the Anambra Cargo Airport and International Convention Centre a d position them for economic viability
He said he had been able to reclaim the state from dirt in the last 49 days by the massive waste evacuation and drainage desilting in parts of Onitsha metropolis and Awka as well as constituting his cabinet within three weeks of swearing-in.
He assured that all structures standing on the natural course of water or drainage would be pulled down to make for free flow of water.
He said his administration would retrieve Onitsha from the path of steady degradation and restore it to its old days of glory as of the biggest marker and preferred destination for business in West Africa.
“We have started desilting Sakamori where floods wash people away every year, from Obodoukwu to Idemili, we have started clearing it for free flow of floodwater.
“But there is a bad case, people built structures on the drainage from Nwangene to River Niger, but I promise that as night follows the day, all those structures must come down.
“Onitsha is the largest city in Anambra, it used to be the largest market, the preferred destination to all but today, Onitsha is dying while its neighbor is growing fast.
“Our first job is to resurrect Onitsha, the gutters are filled with dirt, touts don’t allow visiting businessmen to move freely, and every available land is covered with structures with no place to park vehicles but our mission is to restore the glory of that city,” he said.
Soludo reiterated the ban on tolls along all road pending when a collection system is in place by the state government that include direct payment to the government through an automation system
He said, “Transporters will pay revenue to the government, take their receipts and operate all day without molestation.”
Soludo tasked stakeholders with the worrisome security situation in the state saying that it’s the responsibility of all for a guaranteed life and property.
He maintained that traditional rulers, and President Generals have huge roles to play and therefore urged the community leaders to revive their vigilance groups to stem the wave of crime and criminality across the state.
He promised that the state government would provide funding through a security trust fund which would be launched soon.
“Today marks 49 days we assumed office. This is the second time we are calling this meeting to keep you abreast of our commitment in transforming the state. We’ll call you again in 100 days.”
“Our first duty is to resurrect Onitsha. Onitsha must rise, being the Obi of Ndigbo. Almost all gutters in the city are all filled up. Distilling of Sakamori has commenced. All houses blocking the river must come down.
“The presence of touts has chased many businessmen away from the town. It’s difficult to find where to park to shop. But we assure you that shopping in Onitsha will become a pleasurable experience soon,” he said.
