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Tag: Anambra

  • ‘Anambra railway masterplan design underway’

    ‘Anambra railway masterplan design underway’

    Anambra State Government has begun payment to an international infrastructure development firm for design of railway masterplan for the state. 

    Managing Director, State Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Okey Ezeobi, an architect; said this yesterday in Awka at a news briefing ahead of a six-day Capacity Building Series on Theory and Practice of Public Procurement for Local Government Stakeholders.

    He said the firm, CPCS Transcom Ltd, based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, was chosen among 10 international organisations who applied for the design.

    Ezeobi said investors were waiting for the masterplan implementation in view of the bankability and feasibility study on the railway initiative.

    He said: “We looked at their track record after considering the technical bids, financial bids, their domestic experience, before arriving at the CPCS. 

    “It is also instructive to note that the firm has acclaimed Anambra under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, as a forward-thinking state.

    Read Also: Police rescue victim, kill one in shootout with kidnappers in Anambra

    “The state has also commenced payment for masterplan design, which will take railway to the boundaries of the state. With the rails, moving containers from the ports will be cheaper and faster.”

    Ezeobi said the capacity building series was to entrench accountability and transparency in public funds’ utilisation, in line with Soludo’s vision to ensure adequate value for money.

    “The new direction and disruptive change of Soludo’s government is one that will restore public trust, as people are now aware of how their resources are spent.

    “Procurement is a process that must reflect accountability and transparency. Local government leadership must be accountable in their handling of public funds,” he added.

    Expressing satisfaction with significant improvement the state had recorded in its procurement processes, the BPP boss said plans were on to co-opt local government workers to BPP on ‘secondment’, to ensure proper training in procurement.

  • Group donates hostel to Anambra students

    Group donates hostel to Anambra students

    Ekwulobia Indigenes living in the United States and Canada have handed over a renovated one-story hostel to Ekwulobia Urban Girls Secondary School in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    President of the body, Dr. Okwudili Ezeike, at the inauguration ceremony said the gesture was part of the group’s corporate social responsibility in line with its resolve to give back to society.

    He also announced his group’s promise to pay for accommodation for the first 20 students to move into the hotel.

    He said, “We’re here to officially hand over this edifice to the school authority, Ekwulobia community, and Anambra State Government; this is our way of contributing our quota towards developing Ekwulobia and Anambra State.

    “It’s also one of our ways of giving back to society, thinking about home philosophy, and adding lasting value to society.

    “Investing in Girl Child education in today’s world is something we all should encourage.”

    Read Also: Ebonyi condemns video portraying indigenes in Anambra as criminals

    While identifying the lack of maintenance culture as one of Africa’s major challenges, Ezeike charged the President General of Ekwulobia and the school authority to imbibe maintenance culture to ensure the edifice lasted for generations to come.

    Principal of the school, Mrs Oboshi Fidelia thanked the benefactors for the gesture and commitment to providing a teaching and learning environment for the students, especially the hostel.

    She also thanked leadership and members of the Old Girls Association of the school who through its efforts renovated the school’s refectory building, just as she advised parents to encourage their wards to live in the school’s hostel.

    Education Commissioner, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh appreciated the benefactors for their benevolence and for keying into Prof. Soludo’s think-home initiative.

    She said, “Spending time enriching your community is a great way to broaden your perceptions of the world.

  • Epidemics outbreak looms in Anambra community as 1162 receive free medical services

    Epidemics outbreak looms in Anambra community as 1162 receive free medical services

    A health firm, Niphemy Solution Limited, has raised the alarm over a possible outbreak of epidemics in Okpoko, Ogbaru local government area of Anambra state.

    It warned that residents of the area were in danger of being hit by the deadly scourge if something urgent was not done to clean up the slum.

    Okpoko is a slum area located between Onitsha and Ogbaru with a very high population density.

    Speaking during a 2-day free Medical Outreach organised by the immediate past member representing Ogbaru federal constituency, Chukwuka Onyema, consultant, Niphemy Solutions Limited, Babatunde Ojo, decried prevalent cases of malaria and typhoid fever presented by the patients.

    He blamed the ugly situation on the filthy environment of the area, including stagnant water and unkempt markets, calling for Federal and State governments’ intervention to save the residents of the area.

    He said: “From the texts we conducted, people are testing negative for HIV/AIDS, we only have three positive cases, two female and one male, and have been receiving treatments in General Hospital, Onitsha.

    “But most of the patients attended to are prone to malaria and typhoid and this is the result of the environment they live in the place is filthy, gutters are stagnant and the markets are not well kept, exposing them to the outbreak of epidemics.

    “We also attended to a few elderly people who presented cases of arthritis, high blood pressure and eye problems.”

    Read Also: How Niger schools suffered twin epidemics in two years

    The Chief Medical Director of Diocesan Hospital in Okpoko, Ejikeme Okonkwo regretted the poor economic conditions of most residents, saying most of them scarcely access medical treatment, nor visited the hospitals for over three years.

    Okonkwo said: “That’s why they need continuous free medical attention like Rt. Hon Chukwuka Onyema has been giving them, even when he is no more in the National Assembly.”

    On his part, the director general of Chukwuka Onyema’s Campaign Organization, Okoli Emeka promised sustenance of free medicare, particularly for the Okpoko people whom he described as dear to the benefactor’s heart.

    A total of 1162 patients were attended to out of 1,500 patients targeted to benefit from the exercise.

  • Anambra women protest men’s plot to unseat leader

    Anambra women protest men’s plot to unseat leader

    Women of Mgbakwu in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State have protested the alleged decision of their male counterpart to remove the sitting Woman President General (PG), Lolo Ngozi Nwankwo by the end of the year.

    The women, led by their senior counterpart known as Ogbanabo Umunwanyi  Mgbakwu, the group’s arm responsible for peace and unity among the women, took their protest to the Ministry of Women Affairs to register their displeasure over the decision.

    Chanting solidarity songs, the protesters displayed placards with various inscriptions such as, ‘All we need is give us our woman PG,’ ‘We want Lolo Ngozi to continue as our PG,’ ‘We don’t involve in the election of men,’ ‘Soludo we voted for you please intervene,’ among other inscriptions.

    Read Also: Mechanic swept away in Anambra market found dead

    Speaking on behalf of the protesters, leader of Ogbanabo Umunwanyi Mgbakwu, Mrs Theresa Nwodo said they were tired of having their male counterparts dictate to them how their union should handle issues.

    She said Mgbakwu women group remained independent of the Mgbakwu men group, while their leadership decisions were independent of each other.

    She called for the government’s intervention, stressing that the sitting Woman PG should be allowed to finish her tenure.

    “Since Lolo Ngozi Nwankwo assumed office, we have experienced tremendous change. That’s why we are solidly behind her,” she said.

    Responding, Women and Social Welfare Commissioner, Ify Obinabo assured the protesters of a lasting solution and possible peace to the women and community at large.

    “We’ll look into the issues you raised and also talk with all necessary parties in maintaining order and unity,” she assured.

  • Mechanic swept away in Anambra market found dead

    Mechanic swept away in Anambra market found dead

    A middle-aged man swept away by flood at Oye Nimo market in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has been discovered dead.

    The deceased was reportedly carried away by the deluge on Tuesday after mistakenly stepping into a drainage at the front of the market during a downpour.

    ”The man, relatively huge was swept away by flood at Nimo market; the body is yet to be seen.

    “The incident happened when it was raining in the area. The man unknowingly stepped inside the drainage at the market and the flood carried him way.

    “So far, no news has been heard about the man nor has anybody given his identity. Those who were around when the incident happened said they didn’t know the man,” a resident of the area had said.

    But the Nation gathered that the deceased, a native of Egbengwu village in Nimo was discovered dead a day after following diligent search.

    “The man was discovered dead a day after. He hailed from Egbengwu Village Nimo and was a mechanic.

    “His body was found at a place called Ogbujilekwe along the Nimo-Neni Road after intensive search,” another source added.

    The incident is coming barely a week after another flood claimed two children in different locations at Nkwele Awka, in Awka South Local Government of the State.

    Read Also: Anambra residents lament power outage

    National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had alerted about looming flood disaster in 19 states, including Anambra State, warning that early and adequate preparations should be made to avert level of devastation during last year’s disaster across the country.

    It also advised communities residing in the coastal regions to begin early evacuation before the flood arrived.

    Over 50 communities were swept away by flood last year in Anambra State; destroying buildings and farmlands as well as causing outbreak of cholera.

  • Anambra residents lament power outage

    Anambra residents lament power outage

    • EEDC explains reasons

    Residents of Awka, Anambra State capital, have decried two-day blackout following power outage by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC).

    The people, particularly those into business activities, counted the losses they had incurred within the few days of the development.

    A cyber cafe owner, who identified himself as Ejikeme Okafor, said his business had suffered decline since the fuel subsidy removal, adding that  power outage had aggravated the situation.

    “If I tell you how much I spend on fuel daily since the fuel subsidy removal, you’ll pity me. Now, EEDC has come with theirs. I don’t know what these people want us to do,” he lamented.

    EEDC said the outage followed loss of supply from its source of power at the TCN Station, Onitsha on Wednesday evening.

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    The power company, through its Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, said power would be restored soon, as engineers were patrolling the lines to ascertain the cause of power outage.

    He said: “We wish to inform our esteemed customers in Awka, Anambra State that the power outage currently being experienced is due to the loss of supply from its source of power at TCN Station, Onitsha, at about 6:53pm, yesterday (Wednesday).

    “As a result of this development, all feeders under EEDC Awka district are out of power supply.”

    “TCN engineers are already patrolling the lines to ascertain the cause of power outage.

    “We therefore apologise to our esteemed customers in Awka and appeal for their patience and understanding as we are on standby, hoping that the issue is resolved and power is restored within the shortest time possible.”

  • Seven Anambra markets shut over sit-at-home compliance

    Seven Anambra markets shut over sit-at-home compliance

    Enugu CP embarks on confidence-building patrol

    About seven markets in Anambra State were yesterday sealed by the state’s Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) over alleged closure and non-participation in sanitation exercise as ordered by government.

    The seven sealed markets out of 18 visited by ASMATA President General, Chief Humphrey Anuna, and his team included, Ogbo Afere, Plastic 1, Plastic 2, Plywood Dealers Association, Ogbunike, Building Materials Ogbunike, Bicycle parts and Bakery materials.

    Anuna regretted refusal of the markets to open despite government’s directive that all markets should open on Mondays to assist in restoring the lost glory of the markets in the state.

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    “Some of the sealed markets only open their gates for formality sake but the executives were nowhere to be seen.

    “Only the security men who opened the markets were there. Even the sanitation exercise was not carried out. We are more interested in the sanitation exercise after which the markets shops will be opened,” the PG stated.

    At the Bridge head market, the caretaker committee chairman, Chinedu Ezekweike, assured massive turn up of traders next week, adding that traders were happy that the Monday sit-at-home was now history.

    “Bridge head Monday prayer and cleanup was successful, market executives and line chairmen complied, as you can see,” he told the PG.

    In Enugu State, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, embarked on confidence-building patrols, urging residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear on Mondays.

    Uzuegbu patrolled and interacted with residents and traders in Nkanu West Local Government Area (LGA), especially traders within Orie Market in Akpugo and Eke Market in Agbani communities.

  • Flood sweeps away two children in Anambra community 

    Flood sweeps away two children in Anambra community 

    Two children lost their lives in recent flood incidents in Nkwele Awka, Awka South Local Government of Anambra State.

    The deceased between ages of four and seven were said to have been slept off by flood at separate locations.

    While one of the children was swept away by the flood while disposing refuse along the flood plain, the other was washed away by the deluge in an attempt to rescue his slippers.

    “The mother had sent the little girl on an errand to go and dispose of their waste when she was caught up by the flood. 

    Read Also: Flood wreaks havoc in Anambra community

    “She was pouring the waste inside the drainage when her leg suddenly slipped and she fell inside the drainage and was carried away by the heavy flood,” a resident of the area who identified herself as Ify narrated.

    When contacted, Police Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the incident was not reported at the command.

    He described the case as pure

    environmental disaster, assuring the command’s continued collaboration with the government to improve safety in the state.

    “This is a pure environmental disaster but we keep working with the government to make sure safety is improved,” he said.

    The disasters occurred weeks after the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warned about looming flood in 19 states including Anambra.

  • Construction of joint security base for Army, Police, others begins in Anambra

    Construction of joint security base for Army, Police, others begins in Anambra

    A joint security base that would accommodate the Army, Police, Civil Defence and similar agencies is underway to cater for Omambala region of Anambra State.

    The project, which is being funded solely by the Prime Minister of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Ambassador John Metchie, who is also the President General of Umueri community, is part of efforts to frontally tackle and combat insecurity in about four local government areas of the state.

    Located at the border between Anambra-East and West, the base when completed, would make it easier for the benefitting security agencies to engage in rapid response against banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in area. 

    Performing the foundation stone laying ceremony, a former lawmaker, Senator Emma Anosike, said the project is a welcome development and a timely response to insecurity in the region.

    Anosike stated that security is a collective responsibility of all and maintained that the establishment of a joint unit for the Nigerian Army and other agencies would go a long way to guarantee a secured atmosphere not only in Umueri community but the entire Omambala region comprising Anambra-East, Anambra-west, Ayamelum and few other local governments in the North senatorial district. 

    The former lawmaker thanked Metchie for his lofty ideas and service to humanity adding that his philanthropy has yielded monumental results to the benefits of the communities and humanity in general.

    Metchie who is also the Deputy Commander General of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service in charge of Technical Service, said he chose to construct the joint base for the security agencies to foster unity of purpose among them in order that they would synergise to rid the region of criminalities.

    Metchie said the project was another way he is responding to the call of the state Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo for all hands to be on deck in issues of security in particular and overall development of Anambra state in general.

    The Umueri President-General further disclosed that with the recommendation of the Police, Army, the DSS and the local government chairman, a security post was voted to be cited at the border between Anambra-East and West for crime control in the area. 

    He however admonished other well to do members of the society and communities to borrow a leaf from Umueri community as government, according to him, cannot do everything alone, adding that citizens should be able to assist government in addressing basic needs and challenges affecting their respective domains.

    Read Also: Jilted pastor jumps from two-storey building, dies in Anambra

    Metchie equally lauded the efforts of the government of Soludo in combating insecurity in Anambra state, stressing that it was Governor Soludo who upon inception of office, initiated home land security for Ndi-Anambra. 

    Chief Emma Edochie a prominent citizen of Umueri community, who commended the President-General for the project he undertook singlehandedly, said the nearest Army base is Onitsha, adding that to have a base in Umueri community will enhance security and reduce crime rate  in the area. 

    Present at the official foundation stone laying ceremony were military officials, officers of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service among other dignitaries.

  • Pastor jumps from two-storey building, dies over lover’s disappointment in Anambra

    Pastor jumps from two-storey building, dies over lover’s disappointment in Anambra

    A 30-year-old man has reportedly died after jumping down from a two-storey building in Nnewi, Anambra State.

    The deceased, identified as Prosper Igboke, a pastor of a Pentecostal church and native of Umunneochi, Abia state, jumped down from the building following disappointment by his female lover.

    A relative of the deceased who preferred anonymity said the lady had declined his marriage proposal after receiving training from the deceased at the university.

    Read Also: Anambra CP vows to deal with cultists, sponsors over killings

    The source said: “The incident happened last month. The man was 30 years old at the time of his death. His girlfriend, whom he intended to marry disappointed him after seeing her through the university.

    “He jumped down from a two-storey building and died. I am surprised that a man of this age and a pastor can do this.

    “He will be buried in a forest for committing sacrilege according to the tradition of Leru autonomous community of Umunneochi LGA in Abia state.”

    The Nation gathered that the deceased was eventually buried in a bush in his community.