GOVERNOR SOLUDO’S HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT FOOT PRINTS IN ANAMBRA

By Uzoma Ekweaga :

The administration of Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo since inception, two years ago, has been marked by an unwavering commitment towards providing infrastructural development like water, housing, hospitals and road networks across the state, with a vision to enhance governance and improve lives of the people.

Governor Soludo’s administration has also recorded some strategic landmark achievements through the Ministry of Housing, as some projects like the abandoned government house and lodge, in Awka, which has been neglected for long. The state lacked basic infrastructural edifices befitting its status, having produced in the past, leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, among others.

Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on assumption of office, took a bold step by initiating and awarding numerous projects despite the lean resources. He has embarked on upgrading/remodeling of Anambra State Legislative Complex, Awka; renovation and furnishing of four offices for the Hon. Justice of the Court of Appeal in Awka; reconstruction of Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square into an international event center, and the fencing of the Ultra Modern Skill Acquisition Correctional Center at Onitsha . Others include renovation work and maintainance at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, and reconstruction of Fire Service Station in Agulu, Anaocha LGA .

The governor has also completed the remodeling of roof structure at Nigeria Correctional Center , Ekwulobia, in Aguata LGA, with four security houses and fuel dump at Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka, with renovation work at Post Primary Schools Service Commission, among others

Other projects still on-going include the construction of 17 unit duplex, boy’s quarter, fencing/ landscaping with ancillary facilities for proposed modernization of Commissioner’s Quarters in Awka.

Strategically, this administration has revitalized some hospitals and schools for improved service delivery at the three Senatorial Zones – Ekwulobia in the South , Enugwu Ukwu in the Central and Umueri in the North, to serve as referral centers in the South East region, with the construction of Security Based Camp at Isuofia, Aguata LGA, to beef up security in that zone. Others are the rehabilitation of Ugborimili Primary School,Fegge Onitsha , construction of 1&2 storey building for offices, exam halls and science laboratories at the Urban Boys Secondary School, Fegge Onitsha, which is a watershed achievement of the Solution Government.

The critical need for people to access quality healthcare has pushed the Soludo administration to quickly embark on construction of six new general hospitals in the state. These hospitals, located across the state at Okpoko in Ogbaru LGA, Oroma Etti in Anambra West LGA , Enugu Otu Aguleri General Hospital, in Anambra East LGA, with the Specialist Hospital, Fegge, in Onitsha South LGA, as well as Anaku General Hospital in Ayamelum LGA, when completed, will serve as key healthcare centers for the growing populace in the rural areas of the state.

Before now, these hospitals were with out adequate equipment, with some dilapidated structures and insufficient medical personnel. But today, Mr Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has recruited over 300 medical doctors and nurses into the state government hospitals for improved medical services to the people.

Consequently, on entertainment, the Governor is upgrading the Igboukwu Museum in Aguata LGA, while work is at advanced level at the Fun City and Neighborhood Entertainment/Recreational Center in Awka, with the fencing of Safari Park in Anaocha LGA. Meanwhile, proposal has been sent for possible upgrading of Iyiagu and Real Housing Estate for civil servants and Anambra State Secretariat Annex in Awka.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has done more than just physical structures. He rather injected economic transformation, which definitely will attract both local and international investments that will boost the state’s economic potentials into becoming the Dubai and Taiwan of Africa.

In the long run, these initiatives will also enhance the quality of lives of the people of Anambra State, cementing Governor Soludo’s legacy as a leader who prioritise institutional development, health , entertainment and governance for the common good of all.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s infrastructural and institutional development reflect a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of good governance, with economic growth . These projects will undoubtedly, redefine the landscape of the state, positioning it as a beacon of progress and development in Nigeria, thereby making Anambra State the center of logistics and the Dubai, Taiwan of the country

Worthy of mention are the stallion efforts of the Solution Commissioner, Ministry of Housing, Hon Pauly Onyeka, and his Solution Team, whose expertise and architectural prowess facilitated the success witnessed in housing and infrastructure sector of the Soludo administration.