Written By: SIR JUDE EMECHETA

In Nigeria and even elsewhere, Ndi Anambra are always on the move. Anambra has a large concentration of men and women who have travelled virtually to different parts of the globe. The experiences garnered from years of travelling in search of ways to conquer the world in all ramifications have paid off handsomely with Ndi Anambra setting records across the globe. And there is an axiom that wherever you go and you do not see an Igboman, nay Onye Anambra there, then that place is not habitable.

That is also why the government of Anambra state has placed great value on infrastructural development that aids the movement of people and goods, especially roads and bridges. Ndi Anambra do not want their movement restricted while they go about their daily activities. So, since he came on board, the now 65-year-old Governor Willie Obiano understands the need to “Connect Ndi-Anambra”, at least, by road.

Hence, in six years and some months, Sir Willie has constructed roads and bridges that seemed impossible due to erosion and poor geographical locations. He has empowered and continues to finance the Anambra Road Maintenance Agency (ARMA), the State-owned agency for road maintenance and they have been busy fixing roads across the state in the “Operation Zero Pothole” campaign.

The 290 meters Enugu-Otu Bridge across the Omabala River, the longest bridge in the Southeast, the Umueje bridge and the Iyiora bridge, located in Anam, which are the three major bridges that open Anambra, especially the agrarian communities and the Anambra oil fields, speak volumes of a man who is committed to positioning Anambra as the State with the best road network in the country. It is a thing of joy that about fifteen Bridges and over 700 kilometers of roads have been delivered to Ndi Anambra. The most surprising of Governor Obiano’s exploits in Roads and Bridges construction is the fact that he is touching all local government areas simultaneously as each of the area councils have major completed and ongoing road/bridge projects across the State.

What is even more refreshing is that Akpokuedike knows how suffocating it can be when public power supply goes off at night. Sights of dejection sweep out and the neighbourhoods wear a ghostly look before the noise of generators restore spots of life. Thus, the blackness of night has been giving way to the shine of Street bulbs in the Light Up Anambra project on the beautiful roads and bridges constructed.

For Governor Obiano, the aspiration to take the front row in civilization does not preclude taste for aesthetics. Executed in three phases of 100 kilometers each, Anambra presently parades about 500 kilometers of street lights across urban and rural roads.

To conserve energy, the pole wings were fitted with LED bulbs. The capacity of the bulbs varies, depending on location. In concentrated areas, 200 watts are in use. The illumination achieves ripple effect on Anambra`s security gains.

With less cover for criminality, there is reduced threat to life and property. This has translated into increased business hours. The State`s economy is not hurting from that. And there is the sheer delight of the scenery. Overhead, the skies glitter in a festival of lights. The artery of colourful Street lights roll backs the shadows of primitive existence and dazzle. The mix of nature and nurture leave splendour of beauty.

As Ndi Anambra celebrate Akpokuedike at 65, they enjoy the palatable good network of roads and bridges, transfixed and mesmerized with adjoining street lights, the astonished can only echo: HIP HIP HURAY! In Nigeria and even elsewhere, Ndi Anambra are always on the move. Anambra has a large concentration of men and women who have travelled virtually to different parts of the globe. The experiences garnered from years of travelling in search of ways to conquer the world in all ramifications have paid off handsomely with Ndi Anambra setting records across the globe. And there is an axiom that wherever you go and you do not see an Igboman, nay Onye Anambra there, then that place is not habitable.

That is also why the government of Anambra state has placed great value on infrastructural development that aids the movement of people and goods, especially roads and bridges. Ndi Anambra do not want their movement restricted while they go about their daily activities. So, since he came on board, the now 65-year-old Governor Willie Obiano understands the need to “Connect Ndi-Anambra”, at least, by road.

Hence, in six years and some months, Sir Willie has constructed roads and bridges that seemed impossible due to erosion and poor geographical locations. He has empowered and continues to finance the Anambra Road Maintenance Agency (ARMA), the State-owned agency for road maintenance and they have been busy fixing roads across the state in the “Operation Zero Pothole” campaign.

The 290 meters Enugu-Otu Bridge across the Omabala River, the longest bridge in the Southeast, the Umueje bridge and the Iyiora bridge, located in Anam, which are the three major bridges that open Anambra, especially the agrarian communities and the Anambra oil fields, speak volumes of a man who is committed to positioning Anambra as the State with the best road network in the country. It is a thing of joy that about fifteen Bridges and over 700 kilometers of roads have been delivered to Ndi Anambra. The most surprising of Governor Obiano’s exploits in Roads and Bridges construction is the fact that he is touching all local government areas simultaneously as each of the area councils have major completed and ongoing road/bridge projects across the State.

What is even more refreshing is that Akpokuedike knows how suffocating it can be when public power supply goes off at night. Sights of dejection sweep out and the neighbourhoods wear a ghostly look before the noise of generators restore spots of life. Thus, the blackness of night has been giving way to the shine of Street bulbs in the Light Up Anambra project on the beautiful roads and bridges constructed.

For Governor Obiano, the aspiration to take the front row in civilization does not preclude taste for aesthetics. Executed in three phases of 100 kilometers each, Anambra presently parades about 500 kilometers of street lights across urban and rural roads.

To conserve energy, the pole wings were fitted with LED bulbs. The capacity of the bulbs varies, depending on location. In concentrated areas, 200 watts are in use. The illumination achieves ripple effect on Anambra`s security gains.

With less cover for criminality, there is reduced threat to life and property. This has translated into increased business hours. The State`s economy is not hurting from that. And there is the sheer delight of the scenery. Overhead, the skies glitter in a festival of lights. The artery of colourful Street lights roll backs the shadows of primitive existence and dazzle. The mix of nature and nurture leave splendour of beauty.

As Ndi Anambra celebrate Akpokuedike at 65, they enjoy the palatable good network of roads and bridges, transfixed and mesmerized with adjoining street lights, the astonished can only echo: HIP HIP HURAY!