Sir: In Anambra, political opponents of the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, are doing the much they can. Even nonpartisan residents of the state are not left out.
They keep asking questions and making comments about the issue of governance in the state; the conduct and activities of his appointees among others. That’s cool. Nigerians are always encouraged to get involved in the governance of their country.
But some of these criticisms, and in some cases, attacks don’t seem to fall within the track. When you listen or read some of them, you wonder if there was more to them than what exists in the open space.
On social media, newsstands and even in social gatherings, some people vilify and excoriate Soludo, dismissing him as a poor performing and unserious governor whenever the issue of Anambra politics and governance pop up.
If they didn’t tell you how the man had shut out everyone so that only him and those they described as his cronies would ‘enjoy’ the taxpayers’ money alone, they would tell you that he had not done anything meaningful for the state since he assumed office on March 17, 2022.
None of these persons, to the best of my knowledge, has stepped forward with evidence to back up their claims. I trust that many people, including journalists, would be glad to pick evidence from them and then take the matter up from there.
What can be seen, touched and felt today in Anambra is that Soludo is working. It is not news anymore that he has started walking his talks in the area of road and other infrastructural developments in the state.
And there has been a tremendous improvement in the quality of work being done unlike in the past; especially in the last eight years.
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From Awka to Onitsha, Nnewi to EkwulÍbËa, road constructions are ongoing. As of today, well over 400 kilometres of roads plus two flyovers are under construction in all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, according to the figures from the state Ministry of Information. Not just that the government said so, the work being done is seen, touched and felt by Ndi Anambra and others.
Beyond the road projects, the construction of other important infrastructure such as bridges and administrative buildings and others are also ongoing in various parts of the state where they’re needed. There are also the renovation and equipment of some government establishments in the state.
One of them is the new Government House that is being built in Awka, the state capital. The new facility would also be housing a new Governor’s Lodge.
The completion of that project would mean the end of many years of not having a befitting Government House. In fact, it would mean that the about 32-year-old jinx of not having a proper Government House had been broken.
Beyond that, the construction of an open drug market is ongoing in Oba community, Idemmili South Local Government Area of the state. Official information from the government showed that the drug market would be the largest in Africa when completed.
Again, there is the development of the Pharmaceutical Industrial Park in Ogboji community, Orumba South LGA. It was gathered that about 15 manufacturers, out of the expected 100, had already signed up to it.
Beyond the road and other infrastructural developments, the agricultural revolution of the present administration in the state is changing the narratives in that sector.
Recently, hybrid coconut and palm seedlings were shared to many households in the state. The number of the seedlings, according to the government, was over 1,100,000. And the households, it said, were over 100,000.
These seedlings were shared at the communal level to ensure that they got into the hands of those who should have them.
That move was targeted at driving poverty away, encouraging and improving agro-industrialisation and supporting the efforts towards a green and environmentally sustainable state.
To save cost and to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere, the Soludo-led administration has converted many diesel-powered streetlights to solar ones, thereby promoting a clean energy generation and usage.
The government placed the figure of the streetlights so converted at 25,000. That move does not only save cost for the state, it also encourages nightlife and powers its economy.
So, what if Soludo’s political opponents and critics were right?
What if the accusations and allegations of poor performance slammed on the governor’s less than two years of reign as the state’s helmsman were correct? Be the judge!
- Obinna Odogwu, obinnaodogwu77@gmail.com
