By Azuka Offor/ Chikaodili Obinwa :
The Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Mr. Julius Chukwuemeka has unveiled his ministry plan for 2025, stating the state government’s readiness to change gear through his ministry in bringing infrastructural development to every nooks and crannies of Anambra State come 2025.
Mr. Chukwuemeka made this known while addressing journalist shortly after his ministry bilateral/ budget defence with the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation bill at the state house of Assembly. According to the commissioner, the power sector of the ministry will extend power to various industries and communities in the state as the state is coming up with a very big cluster of industries called Anambra mixed -use industrial city. This will help in providing access to reliable and affordable power supply for investors to invest in the state.
He maintained that the ministry will continue to use renewable energy sources like solar to power key government infrastructure, illuminate streets and communities in Anambra comes 2025.
He stated his ministry’s plan to join other states in establishing some key agencies that will help the ministry to domesticate the issue of power regulation and management around the energy value chain once the electricity bill of the state is passed by the state house of Assembly.
In the area of water resources, commissioner Chukwuemeka maintained that his ministry will take it beyond were it was now, in making sure that Anambra State Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation who has taken the management of water supply after some decades of non- availability of water, they will continue to provide clean and portable water supply driven with solar to areas it has not reached come 2025.
The Commissioner ceased the opportunity to appreciate the efforts of the fire service officers for being more proactive as it concerns prompt response to fire emergencies and the sensitization they carried to the public places, churches and markets on how to stop fire emergencies and how to use fire extinguisher too. He revealed that his ministry will continue with the sensitization come 2025 in making sure that every body has the knowledge on how to prevent and fight fire emergency.
Those present during the budget defence included; The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sir. Victor Ezekwo, the MD/CEO of the Anambra State Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation, Mr. Ikeobi Ejiofor , the fire chief, Mr. Emmanuel Chiketa, among others.
* Offor and Obinwa are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *