…Vows to Tackle Erosion, Infrastructure Decay
….Commissions Legacy Projects, Hails Soludo’s Vision
In a landmark visit that underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to the Southeast’s economic resurgence, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday pledged full federal support for Anambra State’s ambitious plan to become Africa’s equivalent of Dubai, Taiwan, and Silicon Valley combined, a vision he described as not only achievable but imperative for Nigeria’s industrialisation.
The President, who was received by a jubilant crowd at the Anambra State Government House in Awka, used the occasion to commission two signature projects—the Solution Fun City and the Government House Mini-City—hailed as foundational steps toward Governor Charles Soludo’s *African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley (ADTS) blueprint.
In his address, President Tinubu reflected on his long-standing relationship with Governor Soludo, dating back to their collaboration during the 2003 banking consolidation, which he credited for stabilizing Nigeria’s financial sector.
“When Soludo proposed merging the banks, skeptics said it was impossible. Today, we celebrate that bold decision. Similarly, Anambra’s ADTS vision may seem audacious now, but with determination, it will become reality,” the President declared.
He drew parallels between Anambra’s potential and Dubai’s transformation from a desert outpost to a global hub, emphasizing that “visionary leadership and collective will” were the catalysts needed. “Governor Soludo has laid a solid foundation. The Federal Government will stand with Anambra to ensure this dream is realized,” Tinubu affirmed.
The President’s speech took a somber turn as he addressed Anambra’s ecological crises, describing the state as “the gully erosion capital of the world.” Official data indicates that one-third of Anambra’s landmass is under severe erosion threat, with eight local governments perennially ravaged by floods.
“The Federal Government will consider declaring a state of emergency on erosion in Anambra,” Tinubu announced, eliciting applause. “We cannot allow communities to be swallowed by advancing gullies while we debate solutions. This is a humanitarian and economic imperative.”
He also pledged to prioritize the completion of abandoned federal road projects, notably the Anambra-Kogi corridor, which, when completed, would serve as the fastest route linking Abuja to the Southeast and South-South regions.
A key highlight of the President’s commitments was his promise to integrate Anambra and the broader Southeast into the National Gas Masterplan. The region sits atop vast gas reserves but has historically been excluded from critical energy infrastructure.
“Anambra’s gas deposits are a national asset. We will ensure they are harnessed for power plants, industrial growth, and job creation,” Tinubu said, signaling potential investments in gas-processing facilities and pipelines.
He also vowed to “break the 43-year jinx” surrounding the Onitsha River Port, commissioned in 1982 but left moribund due to neglect. “Dredging the Niger to allow barges from Onne Port is a low-hanging fruit. This single action could revolutionize commerce in the Southeast,” he noted.
Defending his administration’s contentious reforms—including subsidy removals and forex market liberalization—Tinubu framed them as painful but necessary steps to stabilize the economy. “We met a nation on the brink of fiscal insolvency, with subsidies draining trillions yearly. Like taming the Atlantic in Lagos, we confronted these monsters head-on,” he said.
The President cited recent macroeconomic improvements, including a stabilized exchange rate and rising investor confidence, as evidence of progress. He also praised Anambra for being one of the first states to implement the new national minimum wage—and even exceeding it.
In a poignant climax, the President was conferred with a chieftaincy title by Anambra’s entire council of traditional rulers, symbolically adopting him as “a son of the soil.” The honor, he said, was “historic and deeply personal,” recalling his 2005 title as Omenife Awka (Bearer of Light).
Jesting with Governor Soludo, Tinubu quipped: “Now that I’m one of you, my brother should allocate me a plot for my retirement home!”—a remark that drew laughter and applause.
Closing his speech, the President appealed for national unity, urging Nigerians to “work together for the greatness of our country. “We have no other nation but this. Let us make it the pride of the Black Race,” he declared.
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