Our dream Anambra gradually taking shape - Soludo

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By Madu Obi

Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has said that his administration's plan to make the state a liveable and smart city is gradually taking shape.

The governor, who spoke with journalists in Awka, explained that in addition to the existing cities of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia, three brand new cities are being planned, adding that the areas have already been mapped out.

"Based on the landmark projects we've executed, in line with the Anambra Vision 2070, which is a 50- year development plan, the vision is to make Anambra a liveable and prosperous mega city where every visitor feels at home, relax and work", Soludo said.

According to the governor, a new airotropolis is being designed within that axis of the new industrial city in the state, adding that 6000 hectares of land have been acquired for it.

He said: "These are part of long term planning for the next 200 years of our state. We are doing away with the haphazard development where everything, including residential buildings, churches, markets and filling stations are competing for the same space.

We want to be intentional in planning our cities. Because we have a small land space only second to Lagos, we are strategic in designing the new cities.

Our vision is to change the narrative from a departure to a destination lounge. That's what we've focused on in the last three years of this administration and the steady progress of the state is as a result of the stability and good governance provided by our party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA" .

He said that it was to have a liveable and smart city that would allow easy movement, that informed the ongoing dualization of all intercity roads in the state.

"Many communities that had never seen any tarred road in their areas now have well built roads. We've done over 800 kilometers of roads, with over 600 already asphalted in the quality the state had not seen before.

We asphalt an average of 12 roads every month. We've completed two iconic flyovers and seven bridges. We are facing erosion control with the seriousness it deserves because of its existential threat to the entire state, especially as Anambra is branded the erosion capital of Africa", Soludo added.

On water supply, the governor said that his administration has rehabilitated five urban water schemes, while about 15 semi urban water schemes and 109 small town water schemes are now working.

In the area of urban regeneration, he stated that Okpoko in Ogbaru local government area has been transformed from being the largest urban slum in Nigeria, to become a bustling city.

"Okpoko is now called New Haven as it boasts of asphalted roads with street light, brand new General Hospital where women enjoy free antenatal and free delivery and pipe borne water.

Also, Onitsha South, as big as it is, never had a General Hospital and we've built one there now and all the dilapidated roads are being rehabilitated", he further said.