GOV OBIANO REELS OUT ACHIEVEMENTS AS HE ENDS 8 YEAR TENURE
REPORTER: ONYINYE CHIJIOBI
Governor Willie Obiano has commended the people of Anambra State for the overwhelming support given to his administration in the past eight years.
Governor Obiano, who gave the commendation in his farewell speech in
his country house, Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area,
said it was only the massive support of the people that kept him as the governor.
The out-going governor, who said that he worked under extreme pressure, took many hard decisions, stepped on toes and lost some friends, asked for forgiveness saying that he was aware he did not fulfill every promise made.
On some of his achievements, Governor Obiano explained that the victory over crime and criminalities were due to the support given to the security sector, stressing that the concept of “a analu olu, ana alu mmadu” mantra, which emphasized commitment to the welfare of Anambra workers, also led to improved loyalty and productivity from the workers.
He claimed all the communities were touched through the twenty million naira “community choose your project Initiative.”
The out-going Governor explained that major achievements of his administration were
the establishment of a Court of Appeal in Awka, construction of international airport, International convention centre and the recognition of Anambra as an oil-producing state by the Federal Government with 15 oil wells at the moment.
Chief Obiano maintained that his administration
approached education in three broad areas through, students’ welfare, teachers’ welfare and infrastructure development.
He specifically listed achievements in the education and health sectors, including building of 1000-room hostels in 12 technical colleges across the state, quality and accessible health delivery services through the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) as well as inauguration of an Oxygen Plant, which he said was the biggest state-owned oxygen plant in Nigeria.
Governor Obiano noted that his administration worked on the Economic Blueprint, which was anchored on Agriculture, Industrialization, Trade and Commerce as well as Oil and Gas.
Chief Obiano noted that the state Small Business Agency (ASBA) set up on December 8, 2014 had successfully funded 10,000 cooperatives, micro enterprises and artisans while also providing operating capital to 300 small and medium enterprises.
According him, ASBA’s success attracted Nigeria’s most modern Small and Medium Enterprises complex to Nkwelle Ezunaka.
Chief Obiano stressed that the remarkable legacy in Trade and Commerce ensured the disbursement of 10 million Naira each to the 63 markets in Anambra State.
The Governor expressed delight that his administration successfully constructed a 33 kVA distribution line from Oji River sub-station in Enugu State to supply electricity to Orumba North and South and even Isuochi town in Abia State.
The Governor explained that billions of naira was sunk in erosion threatening Nnewi, Amachalla Awka, Ugamuma Obosi, Minaj Obosi, Abagana, Enugwu-Ukwu, Nkpor, Nnewichi, Ezinifite, Ojoto, Ikenga Ogidi, Ekwueme Square and Nkisi Aroli among many other places covering 4,844 square kilometers.
He also enumerated the development of tourism treasures, including the Ogba Ukwu Caves and Waterfalls at Owerre-Ezukala and Ogbunike caves in Ogbunike as efforts that added to tourism attraction in Anambra State.
Governor Obiano also announced that during his eight year term, he has grown Anambra’s economy from Three point two trillion naira to four point four trillion naira, placing Anambra State as the fourth largest economy in the country.
The Governor, who expressed happiness that he was leaving the state in good hands, urged the people to extend similar support to the new governor, saying that he had no doubt that he would surpass the people’s expectations.