A Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Chieftain in Anambra, Dr Obiora Okonkwo and a former PDP governorship aspirant, Chris Azubogu have decried the level of infrastructural decay in the state, 30 years after its creation.
The duo stated these in separate press releases made available to DAILY POST in Awka, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the state.
Dr Okonkwo who went down memory lane on the history of the state said the level of decay, especially in the state capital, Awka, leaves one wondering what the state government does with the huge resources of the state.
“It is pertinent to ask the pointed question – how far has Anambra state come? As some would suggest, the state capital is arguably a good indicator of the developmental strides that a state has taken. 30 years after the creation of Anambra State, very little exists in the state capital Awka by way of critical public infrastructure as many key government institutions continue to operate from the same makeshift structures they have been using since 1991.
“One can only visit other state capitals around the country, many of which were created several years after Anambra State, to better appreciate the very poor physical condition of our state capital, Awka with respect to basic infrastructure. A state that prides itself, and rightly so, as the Light of the Nation should do much better.”
Okonkwo said 10 years ago, Anambra was widely acclaimed as having the best intra-state network of roads in the country.
“Today, very sadly, most of those roads have fallen into major disrepair due to abandonment and poor maintenance culture. Good roads, functional public hospitals, pipe-born water, regular power supply, good public transportation, among others are just the basics any serious government should be able to provide its people.
“Today, very, unfortunately, our people have been so dehumanized by decades of poor governance that we now settle for crumbs from our governments. People of my generation grew up with such basic infrastructure like decent public hospitals and pipe-borne water, even in the remotest villages- many of which survived the ravages of the civil war. What happened to those critical infrastructures,” Okonkwo asked.
He stated that he has formed a 10 point manifesto that will transform Anambra if he is elected as the next governor of the state.
On his part, the member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Azubogu in his own press release decried the level of Infrastructural decay, while also asking for strengthening of institutions within the state.
“What we must, however, take adequate notice of is that we are currently living below our capacity as a state and it has gotten to a point where it is now incumbent on us to consider new strategies that will hasten the development of the state.
”Clearly, we have weak institutions of government that, if not strengthened, cannot catapult Anambra to the ‘Grade A’ state of our dream. We have strong men and women but very weak institutions that have, over the years, failed to escalate development in the state.
“Without strong institutions, there won’t be any hope for our state in the years ahead; I want us, as a people, to use the occasion of this 29th anniversary to reflect on the future of our dear state,” Azubogu charged.
