A silent revolution is presently going on in Anambra state with the government of Professor Chukwuma Soludo. With the look of things and the progress so far made, there is no doubt that Governor Chukwuma Soludo is determined to lead Anambra state to the promise land by lifting the state out of economic darkness. This is true going by the governor’s recent directive inviting private investors interested in taking over the various water schemes in Anambra state with a view to revamping them and supplying portable water to citizens of the state.
It is also a cheering news that Governor Soludo recently directed the commencement of verification of the remaining and dead staff of Anambra State Water Corporation with a view to settle their 12 years outstanding salaries, pensions and gratuity owed since 2012. It is horrifying to hear that public servants working for an essential service parastatal like a water agency were abandoned to their own fate to die of hunger, destitution and illness. It would be recalled that in one of its judgement at the Industrial Arbitration Panel (AIP), the judges described the treatment meted to staff of the water corporation by previous administration of Anambra State as “the worst form of labour maltreatment in the history of Nigeria”.
It is gratifying to note therefore that Governor Soludo has taken a major step to right this wrong. By this development, the Governor has demonstrated humanity, empathy and sensitivity to the plight of the helpless workers many of whom have died miserably.
For the avoidance of doubt, lack of pipe-borne water in Anambra state has not only deprived citizens of the state the right to good health but has caused the death of many Ndị Anambra who consume water sourced from shallow boreholes and polluted streams dotted across the state. Due to the absence of portable water in the state, citizens have been ignorantly living with poor hygiene, dehydration and general poor sanitary conditions in addition to unacceptable world standard drinking water regime.
With his avowed interest to restore the water sector in Anambra state, Governor Soludo will certainly touch the lives of many by improving their health, provide employment for the youths and also create a huge value chain where many others involved in the water sector business like water engineers, plumbers and all those involved in sale of plumbing materials will benefit. Households will become cleaner and diseases mitigated in many ways.
Following Governor Soludo’s recent visit to the various water schemes across Anambra state including the World Bank assisted Greater Onitsha Water Supply project, he was greatly disturbed that such a Regional Water Scheme erected for the good of the generality of the Anambra people had lied comatose and equipment worth billions of Naira vandalized.
It is heartwarming that apart from the water sector, Governor Soludo is making waves in other sectors of the state like roads, security, health, education and agriculture.
In all, Governor Soludo should be commended for taking this bold and beautiful step in breaking the nearly 15 years jinx of non-availability of pipe-borne water in Anambra state.
May God bless Anambra State.
Written by VICTOR ONONYE
Comments are closed for this post.