Governor Willie Obiano

Residents of Awka have described the level of development in Anambra  state, eastern Nigeria,  as “progressive”.

Speaking with NAN in Awka  on the 24th anniversary of the creation of the state, the residents said that the various administrations had done well to advance its  cause.

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, said the progress so far called for thanksgiving to God for his uncommon favours, as well as the prevailing relative peace.

“The state has every cause to rejoice for the individual and collective efforts made by all to scale through the hurdles of maladministration.

“Sen. Chris Ngige during his regime fought godfathers and political scavengers who were out to empty the state’s treasury and made us realise that truly Anambra was rich.

“Chief Peter Obi had impressive record all through his eight-year tenure and did his best to develop and advance the state.

“He built roads, renovated schools and hospitals. In fact, the top among Obi’s achievements were the return of schools to the church and he ensured that governorship position went to Anambra North Senatorial Zone,” Ezeokafor said.

He also expressed satisfaction with the way and manner Gov. Willie Obiano was piloting the affairs of the state, especially by giving Awka a befitting status by constructing flyovers.

Mr Peter Madubueze, a member of APGA, said that the state had been progressing in spite of the economic crunch in the country.

“Each administration tried to surpass the other from the time of former Gov. Chinwoke Mbadinuju to Gov. Willie Obiano.

“The security, workers’ welfare and infrastructure development had remained key in the Obiano administration.

“What we need now is to sustain the development by electing and appointing credible leaders to man the public offices,” he added.

On his part, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Jerry Nnubia, observed that the state was progressing as an independent state since it was carved out from Ebonyi and Enugu states.

He said the pace of progress was slow but that the incumbent administration had a pass mark for accelerating development in spite of the meagre resources at its disposal.

“There are still challenges of unemployment, rural development and industrialisation.

“We are still expecting the state government to fulfil its promise of improving workers’ welfare by implementing the minimum wage fully,” he stressed.

Also speaking, the President-General of Awka-Etiti Development Union, Mr Ikechukwu Unachukwu, said that although the state was progressing, the government should do more in the area of industry and power.

Unachukwu said that not much had been done in the area of industry, electricity and water supply, as well as unemployment and security, all of which needed speedy improvement.

He also urged the governor to step up agricultural programmes for rural farmers.

“So far, Obiano is doing well and we must support him. Even if we are to criticise him, let us do it constructively,” he added.