Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra says his administration pulled out of an existing loan arrangement with the World Bank to save the state from “debt overhang”.

Soludo said this while addressing members of the Late Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah Media team who were on inspection of the ongoing Government House and Governors Lodge project in Awka on Sunday.

He said his administration had not only refused to borrow from any bank or institution but also refused to access the Federal Government loan to states in 2024.

He said that notwithstanding the development, his administration had embarked on ambitious and people oriented projects which were at various stages of completion.

According to him, it may interest you to know that Anambra is the only state that pulled out of an existing World Bank loan arrangements which was signed before I came in.

“I looked at the terms of the loan and I said it was not sustainable; it was easy to continue with it because the next generation will pay but based on the terms, it was a bad deal for Anambra.

“Last year N438 billion was distributed to 35 states, Anambra was the only state that did not take it. I need money but I cannot borrow my state into slavery,” he said.

Soludo said he was giving Anambra a permanent Government House and Governor’s Lodge 34 years after it was created, expressing regret that the facilities had exited at a construction company office and outside Awka respectively.

Read Also: Soludo bans loud preaching in markets, imposes ₦500K fine

He said that it was a magnificent project with about 34 buildings which were being built to last, such that in the next 200 years, they would still be standing like the White House in America.

“I said we are going to break the jinx and we are doing that with the biggest and the best that somebody said is going to be like a mini city,” he said.

Soludo said he had done over 750 kilometers of roads with about 410km completed with attention to parts of the state that had not seen tarred roads since their existence.

“We have touched education, health, youth empowerment, social reorientation and bringing back our value of dignity in labour against this new get rich quick mentality that is destroying our youths.

“I told Anambra people when I was sworn in that I will show them where every Kobo they gave me is channeled,” he said.

Mr Kamen Ogbonna, the Leader of the Ubah media team said they were impressed with what the governor was doing as it aligned with their Philosophy.

Ogbonna said it was interesting to note that Soludo had made such progress in three years without borrowing from any source.

“The magnitude of the Government House and Governors Lodge will tell you why other governors carefully avoided the project,” he said.

Nollywood stars including Steve Alajemba (Uwaezuoke) and Collins Monago who were on the trip lauded Soludo for his works and urged Anambra people to support him to continue the good job as they prepared  for Nov. 8 guber.

(NAN)

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a strict directive against roadside preachers using loudspeakers in public spaces, particularly markets. He condemned the practice, citing noise pollution and disruption to residents.

Soludo warned that anyone caught violating the order would face a ₦500,000 fine.

A viral video circulating on social media on Saturday captured the governor confronting an unidentified preacher at a market, instructing him to stop disturbing traders with his sermons.

He advised the preacher to conduct his activities within a church or rent an open space, emphasizing that those interested in listening would willingly seek him out.

Read Also: Soludo gives roadside traders two-week ultimatum to vacate Ekwulobia flyover

While addressing traders at a market, believed to be Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Soludo stated:

“If you want to preach, do so in a church. You cannot turn a marketplace into a church and disturb everyone. Those interested in your message will come to you—you cannot force it on people.

“Markets are for business, not religious gatherings. Violators will be penalized. We have banned loudspeakers in markets to curb noise pollution, which negatively impacts people’s health.

“Anyone caught flouting this rule will be fined ₦500,000. We are also taking action against fake pastors and prophets in Anambra.”

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, has given roadside traders operating around the newly constructed Ekwulobia Fly-over bridge in Aguata Local Government Area a two-week ultimatum to vacate the area.

Soludo gave the ultimatum on Thursday, while inspecting an ongoing project around the area.

He directed the traders to relocate and make use of the new market which had been constructed by the government to accommodate them.

According to him, any trader found operating around this fly-over bridge after this two weeks ultimatum will be arrested and prosecuted.

Read Also: Akpabio denies sexual harassment allegations by Natasha

“Go and register for free at the Aguata LGA, if you want a shop in the newly constructed market. Every trader should move to the new market.

”Also commercial vehicles loading passengers around the fly-over bridge should move to the new site.”

The governor said that the directive was borne out of the need to address concerns regarding traffic congestion, safety hazards, and the overall aesthetics of the newly completed structure.

According to him, the government cannot allow the vibrant urban landscape to be marred by unregulated trading activities that pose safety risks and undermine the project’s integrity.

(NAN)