The establishment of a Riverine Areas Development Commission has been identified as a proactive solution to the continuous challenges of flooding, shore erosion and infrastructural deficit facing riverine areas in the country.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA candidate for Anambra North Senatorial District, Prince Dr Chinedu Emeka profered the solution when he presented his nine point pronged legislative manifesto to Presidents General and Traditional Rulers of all the communities in Anambra North Senatorial Zone.

The presentation of the manifesto held in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area also provided an opportunity for the senatorial hopeful to have an interactive session with the community leaders on their specific needs and challenges.

Dr Emeka, a former Deputy Governor of the state, said, if elected, he will, in concert with other Senators in the Eight Assembly, pursue vigorously, the establishment of the Commission, which according to him will provide enduring solution to the lingering environmental disasters faced by dwellers of riverine areas in the country.

Other areas where Dr Emeka identified as priority if elected included the support for fiscal federalism, driving a review of Nigeria’s indigenization policy, expansion of the roles and functions of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICT enabled industrialization efforts, maximizing the economic potentials of the senatorial zone and youth empowerment.

Earlier while endorsing the Senatorial Candidate on behalf of the Presidents General, the National President, Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, Chief Alex Onukwue described APGA as a party that has defined it’s manifesto and ideology of good governance, “be your brothers keeper” and “think home philosophy” and has consistently, sustained it’s efforts of nurturing and mentoring new leaders in its ideology thereby maintaining a track record of good governance, urging the candidates to maintain an open door policy when elected as this has been the bane of other representatives elected in the Zone.

The Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Igwe Sir Ben Emeka who doubled as the Chairman on the occasion, in his opening remarks, underscored the importance of a participatory represenations which such a forum presents and commended Dr Emeka for the initiative while calling on the APGA Candidate to ensure he maintains the culture when elected.

Others who lent their voices on the need for a new mindset in the Zone to ensure promotion of good governance and that the Zone is returned to its pride of place included the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, Commissioner For Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Mr Bonaventure Enemali, his Transport counterpart, Mr Uche Okafor, APGA House of Representatives candidate for Anambra East and West Constituency, Chief Chinedu Obidigwe and the APGA State
Secretary, Barristster Tony Ifeanya.

Endorsement of the Senatorial Candidate, Dr Emeka, songs of solidarity and an interactive session featured at the event