No doubt, the Almighty God had Anambra in mind when He said, ‘Let There be Light’. Hence, Anambra is indeed the light of the nation. The development paradigm in the state has transformed Anambra into a mega city. The light up project of the Willie Obiano administration is seen by rational thinkers as the game changer in the emerging tapestry in the State development.
Admittedly, the light up Anambra scheme has brought a tremendous transformation in the state and other emerging hubs of economic activities. The import of the Light Up initiative lies not only in the beauty of the illuminated skylines of Anambra at dusk. It neither lies in the bright rays that have taken the place of moon-lit nights brightening the rural and urban communities in Anambra state, nor in the LEDs that has created a booming night economy extending social and business hours round the clock. Anambra is the first state in Nigeria to use LED for its streetlights.
The import of this great initiative lies more in the restoration of confidence in the security architecture of the state and a reassuring sense of public safety in the hearts of Ndi Anambra. Obiano’s initiative has equally enhanced activities in the economic and commercial axis and helps to discourage petty crimes that usually fester under the cover of darkness.
With no less than two thousand kilometer-stretch of Anambra roads covered under the initiative, Governor Obiano has strategically supported his administration’s campaign for all round business activities in the state. Furthermore, the dark spots on the roads of Anambra have all been illuminated, leaving no hiding place for the men of the underworld.
This gives credence to the fact that Anambra state is not just the safest in Nigeria but also the most illuminated. That is not to say that there is no intermittent drift from the norm. Even in advanced climes with sophisticated technology, there are still pockets of perfidy, crimes and criminalities here and there.
However, testimonies abound of the free and unrestricted movement of Ndi Anambra from one end of the state to another, even in the dead of the night, without any recourse to fear or harassment. For sure, it has become normal in Anambra to travel by day or night. The consideration has long shifted from grave concerns of fear and dread to casual issues of convenience and choice.
Above all, the construction of street lights are major tenets of development, as it has encouraged night trading and other commercial activities. Undoubtedly, the light up Anambra project is a major component of Obiano’s promise to Ndi Anambra.
The rising GDP of Anambra state under Governor Willie Obiano and its current status as published by the National Bureau of Statistics and Budgit as the state with the least unemployment rate and poverty index, can easily be attributed to the thriving night economy, occasioned by the extended social and business hours. This is simply a result of the brightly lit and secure night time in Anambra, among other development initiatives of the Obiano administration.
What is more, the peaceful ambience and social harmony prevalent in Anambra state, speak volumes of the transition of the state from the dark days of fear and insecurity to a fresh dawn of peace and public safety. The efforts of the Anambra State government are commendable for taking Anambra and Ndi Anambra in general to transcendental level of civilization. Truly, light and darkness have nothing in common. To God be the glory; Anambra, the Light of the nation!
WRITTEN BY DR. NNAMDI NWADIOGBU
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