‘Bumpy and challenging’ — Soludo reflects on 100 days in office

Charles Soludo, Anambra state governor, says his first 100 days in office have been challenging.

Soludo said he has worked tirelessly towards achieving his campaign promises to the people of Anambra.

“To be sure, the last 100 days have been bumpy and challenging as expected, with insecurity and a red treasury being the most portent, as clearly identified in our inaugural address,” he said on Saturday.

“Since February 2022, the contribution of oil revenue from NNPC to the federation account has been zero and many states have difficulty paying salaries. Thus, with declining revenue in the context of insecurity and a mountain of debt (including over N20 billion in arrears of gratuity to pensioners since 2018) vis-à-vis the sky-high expectations from you (my employers), some fundamental disruptive changes are inevitable.”

Despite the challenges, the governor said he “applied for this job, and there will be no excuses”.

He highlighted some of the achievements made by his administration across different sectors including security, education, infrastructure, and healthcare.

“We have spent the last 100 hundred days addressing some key foundational issues: appointed, swore in and organized a retreat for a new cabinet within five weeks; launched the campaign to mobilize our people to take back our state from criminals and head-on systematic and comprehensive attack on insecurity to restore law and order and revised 2022 budget and provided unprecedented allocation of 64% for capital/infrastructural development as well as priority for youth development,” Soludo said.

He noted that his government has “declared a state of emergency on roads and traffic and preparing to flag-off the construction of over 220 kilometres of roads as the rains subside”.

Soludo added that the Anambra state government is working on getting touts off the roads and out of the markets.

He said to boost tourism and entertainment, his administration has begun engagement with host communities on the acquisition of 1000–2000 acres of land “for the building of the World Class Entertainment Resort akin to Disney World”.

Addressing education, Soludo said his administration has “completed phase 2 of screening of over 40,000 candidates who applied for teaching jobs in the primary and secondary schools”.

He said the state has launched an “operation bring back our school/adopt a school programme” to support the government’s effort in improving the educational system.

On health, he noted that a groundbreaking ceremony of a coordinated wholesale centre in Oba has been achieved.

“The project was jinxed for six years. When completed, it will be the largest drug distribution hub in West Africa,” he noted.

The governor also said the state is collaborating with Global Fund to build a new oxygen plant in Onitsha.

Soludo said under his leadership, the state has “launched a policy that no retiree from the state civil service will be owed gratuity under our administration and have paid retirees from March to date”.

“We have also begun, albeit gradually, to pay gratuity to pensioners who retired since 2018 and there is hope and joy in the land. We have also approved the same policy for local governments,” he added.

He also stated that his administration is working towards ending the Monday sit-at-home order imposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

While expressing gratitude, he also urged the state’s residents to continue to show support to the government.

“The road ahead will be bumpy and every citizen has a duty to contribute to building a livable and prosperous homeland in the context of dwindling resources. You will be called upon to bear some sacrifices,” he said.

“To my supporters and party members, it would mean that the state can longer afford many political appointments. A nimble but effective government will be required.

“Ndi Anambra at home and abroad are called upon to pay their taxes to Anambra State government. We can’t build those roads to your local governments and communities with bare hands. Our Covenant with you is that your tax money must work for you.

“On my part, I continue to pledge my commitment of absolute dedication and exemplary service to you.”