Before the present Anambra State was carved out from the old one by the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida administration in 1991, Awka, the capital city, compared favourably with Okigwe and Orlu, two communities in Imo State. But while the two Imo communities have experienced massive transformation into cities as a result of the infrastructural developments they have witnessed from different administrations in the state, Awka which was made the capital of the new Anambra State 23 years ago remains more like a rural community.
Awka, the capital of a state that prides itself as the light of the nation, is still yearning for development more than two decades after. The city, located in the heart of Igboland, boasts a population of more than half a million people. Strategically, it is located midway between two major Igbo cities of Onitsha and Enugu with a temperature that hovers between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius.
The town is reputed as the home to blacksmiths who are mostly responsible for the crafting of Dane guns hoes, cutlasses and other implements that make agriculture to thrive in Igboland. In time past, Awka was made up of many sub-communities. Today, they have all blended into one and divided into Awka North and South local government areas.
However, it still preserves its traditional systems of governance with Ozo titled men often consulted for village and community issues, with a traditional ruler, Eze-Uzu, as the helmsman. One good feature of Awka is its accommodating spirit for visitors. Residents, however, do not compromise on business deals, particularly when they concern rent. An indigene of the town and State Coordinator of Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), Comrade Obi Ochije, attributed this to the high cost of building materials in the area.
Ochije wants the state government to begin construction of low cost houses in the city for workers to enjoy reduced rent in the area. He recalled that the city was regarded as “home for all” in the good old days because of its accommodating nature. Furthermore, he wants the state government to dualise the narrow Dike Street in the city for easy flow of traffic.
Awka has 33 major villages and attracts people from other states. It has a significant number of immigrants from Northern Nigeria and the West. It was during the administration of former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju that the town, which hitherto was concentrated in a particular area, began to extend towards the popular Aroma and Government House, among others.
Accommodation for government workers and business people has been a major problem in the city with a legion of people competing for few houses. The administrations of Mbadinuju and former Governor Chris Ngige made possible the construction of a few estates, including Ngozika on the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway. Others estates in the city include Iyiagu, located behind government house; Udoka; Ahocol Phase 1; Rockland and Abuja , all situated along the Onitsha-Enugu Express way. There are also the Isiagu 1, 000 housing units located along Agu-Awka and Esther Obiakor Housing Estate.
Some of the estates were developed during the administration of Peter Obi, who failed to provide accommodation for workers in the state; an oversight Governor Willie Obiano seeks to correct by delving into the construction of same to appease the workers. Obiano is also determined to open up the capital city with the construction of three flyovers from Amawbia to Amasea communities.
The city has two major marketsEke-Awka and Amenyiwhere the inhabitants buy the different goods they need on a daily basis. Interestingly, the city, though not as large as other cities, does not have any amusement centre or playground. Residents make use of school playgrounds and some private keep fit centers to keep fit.
The thriving businesses in the city are cyber cafes and restaurants, which are found in every nook and cranny. Workers and business people sit at different joints to while away time, while some of them drink themselves to stupor each day.
The location of higher institutions in the state, especially in Awka, has made the town livelier with students from Federal Polytechnic, Oko; Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Anambra State University storming the city in search of greener pastures. Other students from Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe and Paul University in Awka also throng the city in search of fun.
The influx of politicians to the city has also caused supermarkets, pharmacy and gift shops to thrive in the town.
However, night life is almost zero because of criminal activities which have held the state hostage in recent years. This is unlike Lagos, Enugu and other major cities where life is in full throttle for most part of the night.
Happily Governor Willie Obiano has vowed to make the state uncomfortable for criminals, by inaugurating Operation Nkpochapu with a joint taskforce comprising the military, the police and other para-military outfits, to flush out hoodlums from the state
There are some major eateries in the city where businessmen, students and politicians wine and dine with their better halves or friends. The eateries include Macdons, Trillers, Be-joy, Crunchies, Chuckies, Pallx, Mr. Bigs and Tetrazzini, among others.
There are also big hotels that attract visitors from Asaba in Delta State, Enugu, Imo and other surrounding states. They include Geogold Hotels, Finotel, Crescent Spring and J’Burg Hotels. Others are Barn Hill, Irish Gardens, Palos Verdes, Queens Suites Parkonia, Golffin, Old English, Stanford Bridge, White view, Hotel Lamitel, de-Limit, Cheleku, Sun-city, Tracy, Choice, the Benjamins and King David.
Despite its small nature, the city lacks good road network, which has been a major cause of friction between the residents and past and present governments.
Former governor, Peter Obi, is only credited with the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Junction. Even the contract for the bridge was said to have been awarded by the Ngige administration, which Obi initially abandoned because of the cost.
During a visit to the city last week, Dr Aminu Ahmed of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said he was disappointed with the level of development in the city. Ahmed said the impression he had of the city in the media was different from what he saw during his visit.
But the people are hopeful that the city would get a facelift under the leadership of Chief Willie Obiano. Obiano has planned to begin massive infrastructural development in Awka with roads as his major attention, including the ones abandoned by Obi
If well planned by the government, Awka would be a beauty to behold. But for now, there is little cause for cheer.
