By Kamsi Anayo
Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state will flag-off over 63 kilometres of roads across the state on Saturday.
Soludo dropped the hint during the inauguration of a 1.7 kilometer road, built by Chief Val Onwumelu in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area.
The Governor who was pleased with the community reaffirmed again that the best way to develop the state is through Public Community Private Partnership, (PCPP), not through government funding alone.
He emphasised that this is the kind of thing should be encouraged in Anambra state, which every community should emulate.
Speaking further, he recalled the Neni model which he described as the Anambra spirit, explaining that when the people of Neni started it, Chief Tonimas of blessed memory took up the challenge and ended up tarring about 18 kilometers of road, with some other equally good spirited individuals joining with additional 6 kms of roads
“The Tonimas experience is an example. Umuoji and Anambra, if you know the much you can do, please do. We have come to celebrate that community spirit that distinguishes Anambra from the rest.
“I promised Anambra people that there will be a difference, that I will account for the limited resources, to affect the poorest of the poor and downtrodden.
“We have entered ’ember’ months and Anambra will become a massive construction site. As for the Inland door road, we declare state of emergency on it.
“I’ve told the commissioner for works that this week, they must begin to mobilize there. Whatever is needed to mobilize, we will provide”.
Soludo in a related development also flagged off the rehabilitation of the popular Mmili John road, Ojoto, in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state
LSoludo said, “We have come to break a long standing jinx at the famous Mmili John where whenever it rains, the flood occupies the road, such that commuters can differentiate the river from the road.
“The solution is here. We have come and the Mmili John problem will be done with.
“The first time we came to Idemili was at Oba, to flag-off the building of the concentrated drug centre. The next is this Mmili John. We were told that it may cut at any time.
“I thank Ojoto people for all they have done for themselves. I have said it many times that Anambra will develop through the PCPP model we are mainstreaming. The private capital will develop Anambra. That’s why we are mainstreaming and promoting the Neni model”. The Governor reiterated
Speaking on government street lights, Soludo noted that the street light project is not sustainable because of the cost of diesel.
He explained that his administration is gradually converting them back to solar, afterwhich they will begin new ones within the availability of funds.