WRITTEN BY Ikenna Aniagboso
In 2016 when the Nigerian economy slipped into recession and many states failed to meet basic financial obligations, the economy of Anambra state remained stable and even grew by 1%. During the period, the state government under Governor Willie Obiano not only met financial obligations regularly but embarked on impactful and people – oriented projects.
While the recession lasted, and many states groaned under the weight of the declining economy, Governor Obiano completed over 600 community – based projects and reflated the economy of the state by injecting no less than N7.24BN into it in the first and second phases of the ‘N20M COMMUNITY CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT INITIATIVE’.
The novel and unprecedented initiative was a strategic plan by the Obiano administration to drive development from the rural communities while ensuring proper reflation and growth of the state’s economy at the micro level.
It was a plan that became an instant success in improving infrastructural development at the grassroots. The multiplier effect of money made it even more potent as money circulated fast within the communities and cushioned the effects of the recession.
The 179 communities (later increased to 181 communities as Onitsha, and Obosi were granted special status and got additional projects due to their sizes), in Anambra state selected their most needful project and built it by themselves. While some communities built hospitals, others built market stalls and shops. Yet some built drainages, culverts, civic centres, classroom blocks and living quarters for doctors, teachers and members of the youth service Corp. Each community built according to its area of need.
Amazingly, the initiative recorded the construction and completion of lock – up shops and open market stalls in 116 communities, construction of civic centre/ town hall in 104 communities, construction of classroom/laboratories and dormitory in 32 Communities, construction of health centres and hospital wards in 51 communities, construction of skills acquisition centres in 13 communities, construction of quarters/ admin blocks in 49 communities, construction of perimeter fence in 43 communities, rural electrification in 27 communities, drilling of boreholes in 24 communities among many others.
The Willie Obiano government’s N20M COMMUNITY CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT INITIATIVE has proven to be the best model for rural development. No wonder Forbes magazine recognized it as the blueprint for rural development in Africa. The initiative continues into its third phase.
Ikenna Aniagboso is SSA Communications to Governor Willie Obiano
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