
By Michael Nnebife
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has commended the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, ACTDA, Hon Ossy Onuko, for providing quality service delivery in Awka and environs.
Governor Soludo gave the commendation on Friday, 8th November, while unveiling the Solution Arena: Fruits and Vegetables Market, initiated by the ACTDA, for fruits and vegetables traders in Agulu Community in Anoacha Local Government Area of the state.
The Governor stressed that the shops made up of 60 units, would be equitably allocated free of charge to road traders at Nwagu, Agulu who were displaced as a result of the ongoing dualization of Amawbia-Nise-Agulu-Ekwulobia Road.
Describing road trading as unacceptable in any civilized society, Soludo said his administration had built a Solution Arena Market for road traders in Awka, and currently doing the same in Onitsha for many women to end road trading in the state.
Pointing out that the Solution Arena Market was not a supposed state government project, but a model for communities to copy, Soludo urged Agulu People to key into his administration’s development model, which he called, Private Public Community Partnership, for all-round development of the state.
Prof Soludo revealed that his administration had designed a master plan for Agulu through which it would make the community a tourist destination.
He expressed satisfaction with the achievement the administration had recorded within two years in areas of road infrastructure, health, water scheme, education, among others, adding that the administration was currently mapping out ‘all trunk-A roads, whether federal or state, in Anambra State, for dualization.
According to Soludo, if that was not done today, by 50 years to come, roads in the state would be unpassable, given the rate of population growth of the state.
In an interview with newsmen, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ACTDA, Hon Ọnuko, said that Governor Soludo had provided a platform for everyone, and given an opportunity to serve ndi-Anambra to thrive and prosper.
‘As a matter of fact, we owe Governor Soludo a duty to show a perfect example of what it is to be his apostle and ambassador in service delivery.
‘We are only following in the footsteps of the Governor. We are learning from the man who knows the way, and shows us the way,’ Onuko said.
The ACTDA boss also used the opportunity to charge the committee set up to manage the facility to be committed and manage it effectively.
Some Agulu women, who included Mrs Gloria Okonkwo; Mrs Maria Okafor; among others, who spoke with newsmen, expressed joy and appreciation to Governor Soludo, promising to make the best use of the shops.
In attendance during the unveiling, were top government functionaries, lawmakers, council chairmen and other stakeholders of the ruling party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.