Focus on connecting railway line to our states, Soludo tells SEDC

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By Madu Obi

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has tasked the South East Development Commission ,SEDC, to prioritize the connection of the states in the South East with railway lines.

Soludo gave the charge when the State Executive Council bid farewell to a former member of the council and currently the Managing Director of SEDC, Mr. Mark Okoye.

Until his appointment as MD of SEDC, Okoye was the Managing Director of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA).

The governor assured Okoye of the state government's support and charged the Commission to focus on key projects, particularly the regional railway connecting the five South East states.

The regional railway, according to him, will be of significant economic benefits for the region.

At the council meeting, government also supported the initiative by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to purge markets of counterfeit and expired drugs and applauded Governor Soludo's visit to the closed Head Bridge Drug Market in Onitsha.

Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor said after the EXCO meeting that to combat fake drugs, the council decided to complete the Anambra State Pharmaceutical Hub codenamed Coordinated Wholesale Drug Centre (CWC), at Oba in Idemili North local government area.

The Council urged communities to collaborate with the government to eradicate criminality and insecurity thanked the people for supporting new security measures and reassured traditional worshippers that the fight against fetishism and sorcery would strengthen, and not undermine traditional worship.

The Council, however, reaffirmed its commitment to combating evil native doctors who promote wealth without work, and warned against the promotion of Oke-Ite and similar fetish products.

It also approved strategic contracts accross the state. Among them are the reconstruction and fortification of the perimeter fence at the commissioners' quarters, Awka, awarded to Aristan Developers Ltd at the cost of N57,500,000.00 and the construction of model gates at General Hospitals,with additional work of landscaping; interlocking and fencing of Enugwu-Otu Aguleri Hospital Compound awarded to Daluchukwu & Bros Impex Ltd at the cost of N310,718,114.73

Other contracts were the repainting and renovation of the VIP stand, awarded to KUV Homes & Properties at the cost of N107,119,753.69 and the reclamation and control of flood and gully erosion at the Cosmetics Market, awarded to Acode Energy Services Ltd at the cost of N188,174,822.19