Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state has inaugurated a 400-unit solar street light project in the Ndiowu community, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

The streetlights, which will serve Agbata, Igweakpu, and Aboruhuana villages, were installed by philanthropist Chibueze Eugene-Ike.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Eugene-Ike, who had previously contributed to the community by paying electricity bills and rehabilitating roads, said that the installation of the streetlights was his way of supporting the efforts of the government.

He also appealed to Mr Soludo to construct the long-neglected link road from Oko community to Agbata road.

This road, he explained, would help ease the movement of goods and people in and out of the community.

Additionally, he requested the construction of the Ndiowu and Ufuma community road, which would further improve accessibility and address the transportation challenges faced by the agrarian Ndiowu community, particularly during the rainy season.

According to Mr Eugene-Ike, it is difficult to move produce to markets in the neighbouring communities.

In his speech, Mr Soludo called for increased public-private community partnerships (PPCP), noting that the government alone would not be able to address all the developmental challenges in the state.

Mr Soludo assured the community that the state government was willing to address their request for the road project and encouraged Eugene-Ike to liaise with the state commissioner for works.

He further stated that 95 per cent of road construction in the state would require the support of private individuals and communities to progress quickly.

Mr Soludo highlighted that his administration had completed about 700 kilometres of road projects across the 21 local government areas, some of which had been asphalted.

He also noted that several road projects built by private individuals had been recently inaugurated in many communities.

“Yes, it’s fair enough that you have discussed this with the Commissioner for Works. We will monitor what you are doing in partnership with the state government.

“We appreciate this public-private partnership because the government alone cannot meet the developmental challenges in the state.

“We are, therefore, calling for the collective efforts of all Anambra citizens. We are known for our communal development efforts, even before the arrival of the White men in Igboland,” he said. 

(NAN)