On Aug. 11, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, kicked off the construction of Saint Stephen’s Road, Inland Town in Onitsha, the state’s busy commercial hub.
Speaking at the event, attended by traditional rulers, residents, and members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Soludo called Onitsha the state’s biggest investment area, saying it needs constant road upgrades to stay attractive for business.
The governor said his government has been working on cleaning the environment and building roads since he started, pointing to past efforts like desilting, clearing rubbish dumps, and fixing slum areas. “To save Onitsha, our biggest investment spot, we had to clean up the environment, build roads, and bring the city back to life. Otherwise, people were moving to other states because of overcrowding and dirty surroundings,” he explained.
He added, “Today, I’m here to start this important road that will make residents happy. We applied for this work, and it’s been over three years since we started. Before, when it rained in Onitsha, people nearly drowned, so we began desilting. We went to the River Niger area and found houses blocking the drains. We worked hard to fix the environment, and now we’re glad it’s better.”
Soludo recalled his first day after swearing-in, when he started work at Okpoko, Nigeria’s largest urban slum. “After that, we moved to Ochanja, where we saw a rubbish pile as tall as a house. While clearing it, we even found a body, but now there’s a water fountain there,” he said.
He stressed that he cares more about improving people’s lives than chasing elections, saying his achievements are clear for all to see. “My dream is for every home to have running water. We’re planning a water system. I’m fully focused on this work. I’m here to tell Onitsha people we’re ready to develop their area.
”The governor said New Idea Construction Company is handling the road and promised it will be done in three months, before Christmas. “We’ll open it officially, and while doing that, we’ll start other roads. The last time Onitsha saw a new road was over 56 years ago,” he noted.
Soludo also reminded residents about the by-election this Aug. 16, urging support for APGA candidate Ifeoma Azikiwe in the Onitsha North 1 constituency. He said APGA still has the most lawmakers in the State House of Assembly, more than the Labour Party, and asked people to vote for APGA to keep development going.
He mourned the sudden death of the former Labour Party lawmaker for Onitsha North 1, Justice Azuka, who was kidnapped and killed, leading to the by-election. “Azuka was planning to join APGA before he died. He saw there was no point struggling in the other party. But death came too soon,” Soludo said.
He added, “The by-election is this Saturday. Our candidate, Ifeoma Azikiwe, is from Onitsha, and we want a woman to represent the area. APGA has the majority, and soon, others will see it’s better to join us. Voting for APGA is in your best interest. I do what I say, not like some politicians with double talk. When I came, I met many abandoned road projects, but now Anambra is among the top five sustainable states.”
