There is no doubt that massive infrastructural development opens up   the hinterlands, boost socioeconomic activities and empowers rural dwellers.

 Over the years, absence of basic social  amenities and infrastructure have sustained circles of  poverty and economic hardship in most rural communities.  Perhaps that was why on assumption of office, Governor Chukwuma Soludo  prioritized massive rural infrastructural development  including  road construction and rehabilitation of roads that lead  to  remote  parts  of the state.

Anambra state has vast agrarian land for food cultivation and planting of  tree crops. The introduction of dwarf palm trees and coconut to replace the tall species will, according to Soludo will increase  income of various households especially,  rural dwellers and mitigate hunger,  poverty and penury.

The massive road construction and  rehabilitation in the hinterlands will  also attract  agro industries and  business  value chains that  will earn foreign exchange and increase  the state’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

Again, there will be increase in the tempo of commercial transportation that will convey individuals and businesses to remote parts of the state to explore multi dimensional business potential that will create employment opportunities and  wealth creation.

Similarly, it will increase investments in the housing sector that will attract more housing estates and establishment of basic amenities including schools  and health facilities .

It will also encourage  many youths who are beneficiaries of  the One Youth Two   skills initiative of the state government  to explore emerging opportunities in  the hinterlands.

Road construction in  semi urban and urban towns will scale up socioeconomic activities, enhance easy flow of traffic  daily expenditures of tricycles operators and commercial bus drivers on maintenance of their vehicles, which will enable them to save more money.

. The massive infrastructural development  by Soludo administration has multiplier effects on  commercial activities in various streets and markets which have increased the internally generated revenues of the state government.

Practical application of the principles of rural development by Governor Soludo’s government has lifted the living standard of the rural dwellers and reduced activities that endanger their livelihood.

 There is need for the federal government to  put in place proper political structure and  review   sharing formula of statutory allocation to provide   the sub national governments enough resources  to frontally address the challenges facing the rural dwellers.

POLYCARP ONWUBIKO