Vincent Ujumadu
13 October 2008
Awka — The planned second Niger Bridge linking Asaba with the commercial town of Onitsha re-echoed weekend with the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, describing it as long overdue and a very critical element in the medium and long term economic transformation of Anambra and Delta states.
Speaking during his seventh Ofala festival, Igwe Achebe called on the Federal Government to actualize the project without further delay and also called on Anambra and Delta states governments to set up a joint development agency for the Lower Niger Basin transversing the two states.
According to the monarch, there is also need for an urgent action to promote renewed exploration of oil and gas in Anambra State, particularly the Omambala and Ogbaru axis, recalling that past efforts showed encouraging signs that should be followed up so that the state could join the league of oil producing states.
He reminded the state government that Onitsha Main Market has become an eyesore, adding that "it is over-congested, unsafe and probably no longer profitable" and called for urgent re-development and rationalization to make it remain a commercial nexus in the country.
He observed that the worst financial crisis since the great depression which started earlier this year in the USA, has become global and was still unfolding, but raised the hope of stakeholders in the Nigerian Stock Market that the Federal Government and the Central Bank, as well as other relevant agencies were responding with measures that would protect the economy.
He said that the 48th Independent Anniversary re-ignited debate on how Nigeria has fared as a nation, although with varied opinion that there is a palpable feeling of near despair at the condition of living of ordinary citizens.
He said that with the construction of such projects as the state secretariat complex, the headquarters of Anambra Housing Corporation, ASUBEB building, Guest Houses and Amphitheatre at the Women Development Centre, the State Emergency Management Agency, Chief Judge's House, the State Central Library, the dualization of Zik's Avenue, Awka-Nibo-Nise-Enugwu Ukwu Ring Road, Ifite-Awka-Ebenebe-Holy Family-Amansea Road, Nya Lane, Umuishi-Ifite Awka Road, Arthur Eze Avenue, Awka Inner Ring Road, Court Road, NTA Awka Road and Works Road, the state capital was beginning to take shape.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
