Soludo Vows to Turn Anambra into Massive Construction Site, Flags off Mmiata Anam-Nzam Road, Nine Roads in Okpoko

By Olisemeka Sony

Anambra Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has declared his readiness to turn the state into “a massive construction site after the rainy season”, as he flagged off the long-awaited Mmiata Anam-Nzam road project in Anambra West as well as nine roads in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local government area.

Soludo also reiterated his administration’s promise to deliver over 220 kilometers of roads across the state before the end of 2022.
During the flag-off ceremony on Wednesday, the governor stressed that he was determined to construct more roads as well as modernize and maintain existing ones with flyovers, bridges, and pedestrians walk-ways. According to him, the infrastructure development goal of his administration would be to connect more communities to the urban centers as well as boost the state’s economic fortunes.

The governor said: “What we have come for today, is the promise we made to you. Let me say this very important thing. When I ran for governorship, there were three local governments I transversed, and the images I saw kept haunting me.”
“These local governments are; Ogbaru, Anambra West, and Awka North. I couldn’t believe that there were still places like this in Anambra. I made up my mind that these Council Areas would feel the impact of government. The rainy season is almost over. Every local government would feel our impact,” Soludo said.

“We must give life to the population in Okpoko because they are also part of Anambra. We are conducting a study on how to provide water in Okpoko. Okpoko will rise. We will move together.” Governor Soludo reassured
“We are looking for a space for General Hospital. We are also looking for a recreational ground within Okpoko. Life will come here.” Soludo further said
The roads flagged off for construction at Okpoko by Governor Soludo on Wednesday included; Obodo-Owerri Road (5.77km), Oguagu- Ik Onuorah-Anumudu-Mgbuka- Amazu-Owerri Road (2.97km), Edeh Road-School Road-Awalite – Ojoto-Owerri Road (1.48km), School Road- Umuobom Street-Ojoto Street Junction (0.58km) and Umuobom Street (Ojoto Street Junction-Adazi Ani Street- Owerri Road (0.77km). Others are Umenweke Street (Obodoukwu Junction)-Umeojiakor Street (School Road Junction) (0.58km), (Ojoto Junction)-Anumudu (Mgbuka Amazu Junction) (0.99km), Uzii Street- Mission Street (Awaited Junction) (0.54km) and Anumudu street (ik Onuorah Junction) Gmi Road- (0.38km).

Governor Soludo reassured residents of the state of the durability of the roads built by his administration. Hear him: “The roads that we are building, the design is done in such a way that it will be strong as we have made the contractor sign an undertaking that the roads will be durable for at least 20 years.
He further revealed that about 3 kilometers of Okpoko Road will have a pedestrian walkway, while also tasking Okpoko people to keep their surroundings clean at all times. “We will start a different campaign of cleaning the drainage systems. Set up a community watch by yourselves, to set an example for others to emulate,” he stressed.

At Mmiata Anam, the governor declared that the 11-kilometer Mmiata Anam-Nzam road which has culverts and a bridge, when completed would be highly beneficial to riverine communities in the area and the state. The road, he stressed would boost the agro-economy of the area and Anambra State in general, as the area is well known for rice production, fish, yam, vegetables, and potatoes, among others. He adds that when the road is completed, residents of Anambra West would no longer ferry their products to Edo and Delta states for sale due to decades of lack of access roads to major markets in the state.

Governor Soludo added that Phase 2 of the project would be the remaining 1.7 kilometers to the local government headquarter, while Phase 3 would be to link the local government up to Kogi through Onono road if Kogi state agrees to a partnership.
“When all these phases are completed, traveling to Abuja will be roughly three hours”, Soludo said, adding that if achieved, Anambra West would become the gateway from Anambra to the North.
He adds that about 50 percent advance payment would be paid to the contractor before the project commences to ensure completion on schedule.

AnambraDaily recalled that the Soludo administration had received legislative approval to spend about N54 billion, about 50 percent of the state’s 2022 revised budget portfolio, on road construction and maintenance as part of the implementation of the government’s Urban regeneration initiative.

Speaking during the flag-off, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma revealed that the Soludo administration would construct 14, 053 kilometers of roads in Okpoko. On the road flag-off at Anambra West, the commissioner said: “Anambra was created 31 years ago amidst jubilation, since then no road has gone into Nzam. It gives serious concern to the Governor. By January, the road would have been completed”.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne said that the present administration honours its campaign promises, pointing out that Governor Soludo being an economist, was someone who plans all he does with a great success rate.

“As a major food basket of the State, we will use this opportunity to produce more food and serve Ndi Anambra”, added the Commissioner.
For the Member representing Anambra East and West at the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Chinedu Obidiegwu who recalled Governor Soludo as saying that Ogbaru, Anambra West, and Awka North are the most marginalized local government areas in the state, prayed to God to make him succeed.

The site’s certificates were formally handed over to the contractor at the event by Governor Soludo himself, to signify the importance of the project to the State
The lawmaker representing Anambra West at the Anambra state House of Assembly, Hon. Sir Patrick Obalim Udoba also described the event as a turning point in the history of his constituents. He lamented that Anambra west is the only Local Government in Nigeria whose Headquarters is inaccessible and expressed hope that the Soludo administration would change the situation with the construction of durable access roads in the area. “Indeed Solution is Here”, he said.