By Prosper Okoye, Abuja

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has clearly outlined the roles that indigenes of the state, residing in Abuja, can play to help achieve the development goals of ‘Project Anambra’.

“It takes two hands to clap; we must remember that we have just one ball in a field, even though there are different players.

Prof. Soludo explained to the gathering some key projects and activities that his administration is undertaking; while using the Holocaust analogy to persuade them about the importance of investing in Anambra State.

“It wasn’t a mistake to be born Igbo and from Anambra; therefore, we must give an account to God of what we have done to make our state better. Our central goal should be to make it the number one destination rather than a departure route,” he said.

According to the governor, especially now that plans for making the national budget are underway, strategic partnerships are needed to ensure that the state’s developmental aspirations are included in the budget. Hence, there is a need to call for a town hall meeting, similar to the one already held in Lagos.

“We have no excuse to fail the people, even though nine of the local government areas in the state were under siege by criminal elements when we took over.

We couldn’t campaign in most of the local governments; in others, the number of policemen and other security agencies present exceeded the people who attended those rallies.

As we know, the candidate of the Labour Party, Obiora Agbasimalo, was kidnapped on his way to campaign, and up until this moment, he is still missing,” Prof. Soludo lamented and disclosed plans to establish a Bureau of Missing Persons to take care of such incidents, among other things.

Speaking on the issue of the arbitrary sit-at-home enforced by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, which has crippled the state’s economic activities, Prof. Soludo said that with the cooperation of the new South Eastern governors and the revamping of the state security vigilante Strike Force, efforts have begun to put an end to the security menace.

Furthermore, the governor stated that almost 20 billion has been spent on the construction of federal roads, and his administration aims to achieve 500km of roads in the local government areas of the state before the tenure expiration.

He also mentioned that three more cities would be created, and ongoing electricity and environmental projects are progressing.

The industrialization programmes and agriculture projects are expected to improve the lives of the people and mitigate the effects of the petroleum product subsidy removal, according to the governor.

Prof Soludo also mentioned that massive land projects are being undertaken, while promising to provide lands to those who have genuine intentions to invest in the state.

“Everyone can contribute, and it’s not necessarily about opening big factories. If you have development plans, you can invite me to work as your personal assistant, and I will willingly carry your bag and follow you,” he wooed them.

There was a dramatic scene when the event’s Chairman, Sir Emeka Offor, was called to give his remarks.

After acknowledging Prof. Soludo’s achievements and urging continuous support for his administration, the Chairman invited on stage the senators representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, Anambra South, Ifeanyi Ubah, and Anambra North, Tony Nwoye, in an effort to foster reconciliation.

The senators, speaking in turn, stated that they are working together to attract federal government projects to the state. They also pledged continuous support for the governor’s projects and expressed their willingness to support Prof. Soludo’s second term ambition if he decides to run for re-election.

However, Senator Nwoye warned Prof. Soludo to stop his workers from insulting the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party during the 2023 election, Peter Obi. He said that failure to do so could lead to strong opposition in the next election.

To conclude the meeting, a question and answer section was held. During this session, prominent figures like former Minister of Labour Chris Ngige and Senator Uche Ekwunife made recommendations.

They suggested among other things the implementation of environmental taxes in the state to support government environmental projects and the introduction of vocational education in secondary schools to tackle the issue of unemployment among Anambra youths.