By Christian ABURIME
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has inaugurated the 12 kilometers of roads in Okpoko roads, in Ogbaru Local Government Area.
This is out of the 15 kilometres awarded by the present administration.
The joy of the people of Okpoko knew no bounds as they thronged the venue of the road inauguration to appreciate Governor Soludo
Addressing the people, Governor Soludo recalled with nostalgia the historical significance of the Okpoko road, with about half a million people deprived of basic facilities such as pipe-borne water, street lights, General Hospital, among others.
Expressing concern about the situation, the Governor maintained that the area constitutes the major urban regeneration agenda of his administration and had been hampered and devastated by perennial flood.
Governor Soludo stressed that his administration would not relent in providing the needed infrastructure facilities such as pipe-borne water, street lights, good road network to the area.
He observed that Okpoko was the first place he visited immediately after his inauguration, pointing out that people used to spend hours moving by the Obodoukwu road due to its deplorable condition as it had adversely affected commercial activities in the area.
Governor Soludo described the area as one of the largest urban slums in the South East, expressing optimism that the road would stimulate the economy and improve the life of the people of the area.
The governor further hinted that the Atani -Ozubulu road which is ongoing would soon be completed just as he sent a strong warning to the contractor handling the Ogwuikpelle road to expedite work or risk his contract been terminated.
The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Somtochukwu Udeze explained that the roads were completed in record time, saying that the Governor has delivered all the campaign promises he made to the people of the area, noting that his people would reciprocate the gesture in the coming election.
Earlier in a remark, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Mr. Paschal Aniegbunam and the member representing Ogbaru, Constituency 1 in the state House of Assembly, Mr Noble Igwe appreciated the Governor for fulfilling his campaign promise to the people, even as they pledged continued support by the people for his administration.
They added that since 1999, the people had been neglected by successive administrations.
Governor Soludo also had a stopover to inspect the level of work at the General Hospital in Okpoko, already installed street lights, pipe-borne water.
Highpoint of the event was the symbolic cutting of tape by some of the residents as well as the elderly in the area.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim accompanied the Governor to the event which was also attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief Protocol, Hon Chinedu Nwoye among others.