By Chris Chikelue
The Anambra State Government has approved over ₦640 million for key development projects aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, improving education, revitalising markets and addressing environmental challenges across the state.
The approvals were part of resolutions reached at the State Executive Council (ANSEC) meeting held at the Light House, Awka, on June 22.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, the council reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining investments in critical sectors that directly impact the welfare and economic growth of the state.
According to the statement, the government will continue its market regeneration programme, describing markets as the largest segment of Anambra’s economy, designed to promote cleaner, greener, better planned and more sustainable commercial environments across the state.
The council expressed concern over the growing practice of traders displaying goods along roadways despite existing barricades, noting that the trend contributes to traffic congestion and poses serious safety risks, addressing the challenge, some markets will be relocated and properly fenced off from major roads.
On environmental sustainability, ANSEC identified erosion as the most significant existential threat facing the state, attributing the worsening situation largely to human activities, including the diversion of stormwater from residential areas onto roads, construction on natural flood channels and indiscriminate tree felling without replacement.
To mitigate these risks, the government announced plans to enforce the state’s environmental law requiring every household to construct catch pits to reduce stormwater runoff and protect public infrastructure.
As part of its social welfare agenda, the council resolved to sustain the ongoing free education programme as well as free antenatal care and free delivery services for pregnant women in public health facilities.
The council also approved the implementation of a school adoption initiative under the Public-Private-Community Partnership framework known as “Soludozie Anambra”, expecting to encourage individuals, communities and corporate organisations to support the development of public schools across the state.
In addition, ANSEC approved a bill to regulate primary and secondary education in Anambra, seeking to establish standards for both public and private schools, curbing exploitative and arbitrary charges, discouraging unnecessary ceremonies and preventing practices such as denying students the opportunity to reuse textbooks.
Among the specific project approvals, the council awarded a contract worth ₦237 million for the remodelling of Afouzo Market in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area(LGA), to Crystal Dove Construction Company Ltd.
It also approved ₦402.83 million for the supply of routine antenatal medications and related services under the state’s free maternal healthcare programme. The contract was awarded to Jessy Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. and Award Global Company Ltd.
The government noted that the decisions reflect the vision of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to build a livable and prosperous homeland through strategic investments in infrastructure, environmental protection, quality education, healthcare, law and order and human capital development.
Chris Chikelue is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
