Anambra govt approves new plan to tackle erosion, student housing deficit

From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

The Anambra State government has approved far-reaching measures and initiatives aimed at deepening governance, expanding access to justice and accelerating development across the state under the “Solution 2.0” agenda.

According to a press statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor, the measures will tackle erosion, the student housing deficit and other infrastructural challenges.

Mefor said the decisions were taken during the fifth Anambra State Executive Council meeting, held at the Light House, Awka, on Monday.

He added that the government also approved the release of N551,911,205.81 for general external works on the permanent building of the Solution Innovation District in Awka.

According to him, the state reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive governance and sustainable development through new policy decisions and project approvals designed to enhance social cohesion, stimulate economic growth and improve public service delivery across the state.

The statement read in part:

“The Anambra State Executive Council, at its fifth meeting for the second term of the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo administration, approved far-reaching measures aimed at deepening governance, expanding access to justice, and accelerating development across the state under the ‘Solution 2.0’ agenda.

“Council approved the immediate activation of the ‘Soludozie Anambra Programme’ under the Public-Private-Community Partnership model.

“The programme will mobilise high-net-worth individuals and communities across the 179 communities of Anambra State to partner with government in the provision of critical infrastructure, including roads, schools, and medical centres.

“This reflects the administration’s recognition that sustainable development requires the collective effort of government, the private sector, and the people.”

According to the commissioner, in response to the growing number of students living off campus, the state government resolved to partner with private investors to provide adequate and affordable hostel accommodation in tertiary institutions across the state.

He noted that the hostels will be delivered through a “Build-Operate-Transfer” arrangement to ensure students have access to a safe and complete campus experience. Modalities for implementation take effect immediately.

He pointed out that, to ensure the timely and fair resolution of complaints, the state government approved measures to make the state’s Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) more robust and accessible to Ndi Anambra.

“The strengthened GRM will receive, evaluate, and resolve disputes relating to human rights and service delivery between citizens and the Anambra State government. Ndi Anambra are again advised to forward any grievance to its website.

“Council directed increased public awareness on the availability and use of ‘Small Claims Courts’ in Anambra State.”