By the time Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, would finally be handing over the reins of power to his successor, the joyous Anambra atmosphere will sing just one song, the epic of a legend who came, saw and conquered. Like the grand departure of a victorious day, the fifth democratically elected governor of Anambra State, would be heading out in grandeur and glittering excellence. Gradually, Governor Soludo is building a magnificent castle of bricks that will outlive generations. Not a dream that many people have a clear perspective of. Unsurprisingly, that’s the reality of many big dreams. The story of Joseph, son of Jacob in the book of Genesis from chapter 37 to chapter 50 is a solid reference. The holy bible calls it “The Power of Preparation.”
The truth is that Governor Soludo operates a unique system of governance. Perhaps quite unique that many people need time to have a complete grasp of it. Joseph Schumpeter, the renowned Austrian-American economist calls it “Creative Destruction”. “Charlie nwa Mgbafor” arrived at a period when change in the system’s perennially degenerative uniformity was inevitable. But development is an expensive enterprise. It’s a collective adventure that demands the inputs of both the leader and the led. Like the analogy of the anthill where everybody works for a common purpose, development governance is an all-hands-on-the-deck philosophy. Ndi Anambra must have to understand that. We must understand that taxation is a legal revenue collection model that is channeled to the development of a particular society. Ndi Anambra must not expect the Dubai-Taiwan dreams to come true without paying their taxes. Governor Soludo is always emphatic and honest about working with every dime. The conspicuous billboards at each construction site across the state read “Your Tax Money at work”. That’s a bold assurance of credibility, determination and transparency.
The searching questions that every onye Anambra must ask him or herself are: What little effort have I made to help this government achieve the dream of a livable and prosperous Anambra State? Am I an element of a progressive system? What can I do to make the system better? There’s a whole lot you can do to help the quest for a
thriving Anambra State. Government cannot clean your surroundings neither does it need to tell you that dumping wastes in water channels causes flooding and erosion. Government does not have to remind you that domestic violence and abuse of children are morally backward. Just as a driver taking one-way on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway does not need the local traffic regulatory agency to tell him or her it is a severe traffic offence. Tax evasion is a criminal offence, just as aiding and abetting crimes. It’s simple understanding: People are the government. Each action we take could either define how well or bad the system works. Like a machine, every unit is essential to the functionality of the whole system.
Governor Soludo has a messianic touch encrypted in courage and sharp vision. Ndi Anambra know that, that’s why they voted massively for him. The Isuofia legend is fearless in his goal to reconstruct Anambra’s development bridges. Soludo is a success story whose folklores would be told across generations unborn. It is, however, on us as a people to do what we can to see that the dream of a smart, livable, beautiful and prosperous Anambra State happens.
The bold questions of a Facebook user suffices here: “How neat is your surrounding? Will the governor come to your yard to pack those dirts you dumped in the gutter, which of course, when it rains, will flood the road and thereby give the state the worst outlook? When did payment of taxes become an issue? Over there abroad, don’t our people pay taxes? Who are those committing all the crimes? Are they committed by spirits? Aren’t some citizens hell-bent on injecting violence to rob the defenceless ones off their peace of mind?
He concluded : “In your own capacity, do the needful and then come out on justifiable grounds to air your opinion. Only then will protests and complaints hold water.”
Written by DANIEL EZEIGWE
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