By Jude Atupulazi
The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has commissioned 21 newly built roads totaling 14.62 kilometers in Adazi Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.
The roads were constructed by Chief Chinedu Benson Madubuko, an indigene of Adazi Ani.
The commissioning ceremony was used to showcase Governor Soludo’s push for public-private collaboration to accelerate Anambra’s infrastructural development while highlighting his administration’s focus on transparency, accountability, and social welfare programmes, according to a press statement signed by Chris Aburime, Press Secretary to the Anambra State Governor.
Commissioning the project, Governor Soludo emphasized the need for increased private sector involvement in Anambra’s development, noting that public resources were limited, with less than one percent controlled by the government.
‘If we want our state to progress quickly, citizens must contribute their own resources,’ he stated, while highlighting what he called the Neni Model, where the late Tonimas built 18 kilometers of roads in his community, as an example of a successful public-private-community partnership.
Soludo praised Chief Madubuko for replicating the model in Adazi Ani, describing him as a shining light for others to emulate.
Governor Soludo reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to transparency and accountability and promised to deliver a scorecard within two years that would detail all he had achieved without borrowing.
He also announced the completion of Anambra’s railway master plan, encompassing three new cities: Awka 2.0, Onitsha 2.0, and an industrial city; emphasizing the All Progressives Grand Alliances’, APGA’s, role in developing Anambra, as well as its commitment to continuing the progress beyond his term.
The Governor enumerated various initiatives demonstrating his party’s dedication to the poor and vulnerable, including infrastructure development in Nzam, a historic visit to the previously neglected Olumbanasa, and the ongoing transformation of Okpoko, which used to have the unfancied tag of West Africa’s largest urban slum.
Earlier in his address of welcome, Chief Chinedu Benson Madubuko warmly welcomed Governor Soludo to Adazi Ani and expressed his appreciation for Governor Soludo’s strong promotion of the PPCP concept.
‘It is my sincere hope and aspiration,’ he said, ‘that these roads I have constructed will serve as a lasting legacy; inspiring other sons and daughters of Adazi Ani to join the PPCP train driven by our esteemed governor.’
In attendance were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi; Principal Secretary to the Governor, Barr. JPC Anetoh; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne; Chief of Protocol, Chinedu Nwoye; TC Chairman, Anaocha, Chief Gerald Ikechukwu Ozo; the traditional Prime Minister of Adazi Ani, Chief Augustine Okeke; traditional rulers, among others.
