Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Governor of Anambra State, flagged-off the 3.2km Okpunoeze-Nnewi Hotel Road and the 2.2km Isaho Umuezeogu-NAUTH (Teaching Hospital Permanent site) Road earlier today.
Benejaf International Limited is the Contractor in charge of the road projects, and Maintech Engineering Consult is the consultant.
In addition to the road flag-offs, the Governor promised to intervene in Nnewi’s major markets to transform them into modern markets fit for the twenty-first century.
While flagging-off the roads, Soludo reminded the people that he has visited Nnewi in two weeks, describing the city as the commercial capital of Anambra South and thus requiring a lot of work.
The Governor acknowledged the difficulties that people face on a daily basis as a result of the poor condition of the road.
He stated that when he first inspected the road during the rainy season, he drove through from Oba Nnewi road to Okpunoeze after passing through bank road, and that when he was entering, he overheard some women saying that the Governor is unaware that the road is motorable.
Soludo stated that before beginning construction of the road, he asked Nnewi stakeholders to inform him of the worst roads in Nnewi. He was told about Okpunoeze Bank Road and Isaho to Teaching Hospital, so he promised to start with the worst two roads in Nnewi.
“You have employed me to work and that is exactly what I am doing and we pay contractors 30-50%”. According to the agreed-upon timeline, the road will be completed on December 5, 2023,” Soludo maintained.
The Governor told the Contractor that if he finishes 90% of the road and does an excellent job, he will offer him more contracts.
The Governor stated that Ikemba Nnewi is APGA’s first National leader. He reminded the people that APGA Government is responsible for the road projects in Nnewi. He asked the people if they planned to demolish the house they had built over the years.
He declared that the presidential and senate elections had concluded. In that election, ndi Anambra can vote for whomever they want, but in the House of Assembly elections, ndi Anambra strongly supports APGA.
Soludo urged the people to deliver APGA candidate in the upcoming House of Assembly elections. He assured them that if they made the APGA proud, he would do more for the people.
The Governor finally used the medium to encourage people to take the upcoming National Census seriously and come out in large numbers to be counted so that their population strength can be used to their advantage when resources are being allocated from the Federal Government.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the TC Chairman of Nnewi North, Engr Chris Obiorah, praised the Governor’s love for the people as he Flags-Off the Okpunoeze Uruogu Road to Nnewi Hotel Road and the Isaho Umuezeogu Road to NAUTH (Teaching Hospital Permanent site).
According to Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, he said today is the Governor’s second visit to Nnewi in two weeks and that demonstrates his love for the people of Nnewi. He added the road the Governor is flagging off today represents only 5% of what the Governor intends to do. The Commissioner urged the people to vote the APGA candidate for Nnewi North because he is a good man who cares about the people.
On his part, Hon. Comr. Peter Nwosu (Okwute), APGA Candidate, Nnewi North Constituency, Anambra State House of Assembly, assured the Governor of the support of ndi Nnewi. He informed the Governor that the road he is constructing has been causing problems in four communities and stated that he intends to empower 1000 youths in Nnewi, and that 200 youths are prepared to travel to China for training as part of the first batch of his empowerment program.
The Commissioner for Works, Engr Ifeanyi Okomma, Chief of Protocol, Chinedu Nwoye Glamour, The Traditional Ruler of Nnewi, HM Igwe Kenneth Orizu, APGA Party and Ward Executives, Nnewi Market Leaders amongst others attended the Flag-off ceremony.