• Fascinating story of individuals deploying private resources to change the landscape of communities
From Magnus Eze, Enugu, and Emmanuel Uzor, Awka
•One of the 11km roads constructed in Abatete
A novel initiative is spreading like wildfire in Anambra State. Wealthy individuals from the state have practically taken over the responsibility of government, funding construction of roads in their communities. This category of people has used their God-given wealth to change the landscape of their communities.
The trend is in response to the ‘Think-Home’ philosophy of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration as encapsulated in its Public-Private Community Partnership (PPCP) model.
•Soludo inaugurating Adazi Ani road built by Madubuko
During the last yuletide, the governor spent most of his official engagements inaugurating various projects, including roads, hospitals and other investment facilities built by private individuals from the state.
The increasing wave of philanthropy across Anambra communities may have stemmed from the saying by Denzel Washington that “at the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished…It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.”
Before now, people had believed that it was the sole responsibility of government to build roads and other public infrastructure for citizens. But the new twist in Anambra State has left opinions divided as many wonder if the state government has not abdicated its responsibility.
•Road built by Ifekudu in Ozubulu
For many, it looks healthy, especially when appraised from its positive perspective. This school of thought sees nothing wrong in individuals embarking on such prohibitive and massive projects for their communities while the state government merely claps for them.
Then, many also see it as a dangerous trend when government seems to have abdicated its obligation by allowing individuals or groups take up such projects.
•Inauguration of 11km roads in Abatete
A political analyst, Chief Okwudili Okala, applauded the new spirit of Anambra indigenes in building roads and health centres, even as he described the trend as dangerous.
Okala said that government should not take the benevolence of a few billionaires who have taken up the responsibility of giving better life to their communities as a licence to siphon public funds.
He maintained that it has been and still remains the primary responsibility of government to provide basic amenities and infrastructure for the people, which he said has been appropriated in the state budget.
Okala noted that when individuals start doing those projects, government is bound to possibly divert the funds originally meant for those projects.
He, however, advocated for government participation and sponsorship of such humongous projects to make them pocket-friendly for private individuals who have the burning desire to embark on the projects.
Also, Ezeadi Onyeka, a retired civil servant in Awka, Anambra State capital, said that the trend was a positive development. According to him, the involvement of private individuals or groups in funding construction of roads and other facilities for the people will not have negative effects on the state government.
He stated that private individuals had in the past embarked on life-changing projects for their communities without waiting for government.
Onyeka acknowledged such individuals as Prince Arthur Eze, who, according to him, had worked tirelessly more than government in giving their communities better life.
However, opinions differ on the issue, the dominant view being that Soludo has struck a chord with the people with his Public-Private-Community Partnership programme as evidenced in the number of road projects funded by wealthy individuals and communities in the state.
Recently, the governor inaugurated 21 asphalted roads, totalling 14.62 kilometres, constructed by a philanthropist, Chief Chinedu Benson Madubuko, in Adazi Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area.
The opening ceremony was used to showcase Soludo’s push for public-private collaboration to accelerate Anambra’s infrastructural development while highlighting his administration’s focus on transparency, accountability and social welfare programmes.
At the momentous event, Soludo emphasized the need for increased private sector involvement in Anambra’s development, stressing that “public resources are limited, with less than 1 percent controlled by the government. If we want our state to progress quickly, citizens must contribute their own resources.”
The governor highlighted the “Neni model,” where the late CEO of Tonimas Oil and Gas Limited, Chief Anthony Obiagboso Enukeme, built 18 kilometers of roads in his community, as an example of a successful public-private-community-partnership.
He praised Chief Madubuko for replicating the model in Adazi Ani, describing him as a “shining light” for others to emulate.
“This is celebrating befitting living not befitting burial. Construction of roads is what we require to develop communities.
“You don’t leave everything for government. We will soon commence commissioning of our roads,” the governor said.
Soludo disclosed that his administration, within two years in office, is constructing about 400 kilometres of roads, which, according to him, has surpassed every other regime’s feat in the state in the area of road infrastructure.
He said: “In four years, we will be able to deliver more than any other past regimes. I refused borrowing N100 billion as demanded by the Anambra State House of Assembly when I assumed office to assist develop the state.”
The highly elated Chief Madubuko poured encomiums on the Governor as he welcomed him to Adazi Ani, applauding his robust promotion of the PPCP concept.
“Since assuming office, you have aggressively and deliberately promoted the concept of Public/Private/Community Partnership, a variant of public-private partnership, where the community and its members partner with government in developing our homeland.
“The roads you are commissioning today are a demonstration that people are buying into this your mantra of PPCP.
“It is my sincere hope and aspiration that these roads I have constructed will serve as a lasting legacy, inspiring other sons and daughters of Adazi Ani to join the PPCP train driven by our esteemed governor,” Madubuko enthused.
A community leader and member of the Igwe’s cabinet, Chief Cyril Okoye Ezeani, said: “I also commend our son who constructed the 21 roads in the community for others to benefit from even if the roads being commissioned do not lead to his house. He did the roads just for God and humanity. He is really a philanthropist.”
Onwumelu of Umuoji
In the inauguration spree, Soludo has also inaugurated 1.7km road at Uruegbe village in Umuoji Community of Idemili North LGA. The project was singlehandedly constructed by a prominent son of Uruegbe, managing director/CEO of C-Keinah Nig. Ltd, Chief Val Onwumelu (Instigatorph).
The 40-year-old businessman and philanthropist said his dream is to transform Umuoji Community into a modern town by ensuring that basic social amenities and infrastructure for residents of the community are provided starting with the road project.
He noted that he was determined to give a new face to the community through persistent and committed renewal projects such as road construction and other amenities.
“This road project is one among various other development projects that I have identified. I am happy that the governor has graced this commissioning today and this will mean that more good things will come to my community, Umuoji,” Onwumelu stated at the commissioning ceremony.
As usual, Soludo was all praises for the eminent philanthropist for his gesture. He was emphatic that Chief Onwumelu had demonstrated the true Anambra spirit and called on others to emulate him.
The road commissioning ceremony was witnessed by the national president of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Titus Akpudo, and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency in the last general election, Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu, among other prominent sons of Umuoji community.
Agbalanze of Ozubulu
In another ceremony celebrating community spirit and private investment, Soludo cut short the celebration of New Year to inaugurate a market and a 2.27 km road in Eziora Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, built by Chief Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze), a renowned philanthropist and indigene of the area.
The 2.27km road, according to Ifekudu, is intended to help improve the road network in the community and impact greatly on socio-economic activities there.
Both projects showcased the power of individual philanthropy and commitment to local development.
Soludo eulogized Ifekudu, calling him “the kind of personalities ndi Anambra should be celebrating.”
Commending the entrepreneur’s dedication to “Aku luo uno;” the Igbo concept of utilizing wealth for community benefit, the governor highlighted the market’s potential for fostering peace and prosperity for Ozubulu and the wider Anambra community.
“Private individuals, communities, and companies must rise up to complement government’s efforts,” Soludo reiterated.
Ifekudu expressed excitement over Soludo’s presence and his strong support for the think-home policy. He enumerated his contributions, including installing 600 solar lights across Ozubulu, stating that the Governor’s leadership motivated him to further dedicate his resources to his community.
Ifekudu appreciated Soludo for intensifying calls on the “Aku Luo Uno” policy, and pledged to continue supporting the governor’s lofty visions.
The billionaire businessman said though government has the responsibility of building infrastructure for the people, he decided to assist the state government in providing the much-needed road infrastructure for Ozubulu community.
Chairman of Diamond Leeds Limited, Ifekudu, is a proud recipient of national honours, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OFR) and was recently conferred with The Sun Businessman of the Year 2023 Award.
Onwualor of Umueri
While the people of Ozubulu relished their new road, Soludo also commissioned a 500-metre road project constructed in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, built by Chief Josephat Onwualor, an indigene of the community.
At the ceremony, Soludo lauded Chief Onwualor for the project, calling on more Anambra people to key into the partnership opportunity offered by his administration and invest in the state. He emphasised that PPCP was key to unlocking the state’s development potential. He also expressed the optimism that the state will be better off in 2024.
Traditional ruler of Umueri community, Igwe Ben Emeka extolled the governor, saying that he deserved all the support.
The monarch described Onwualor as a worthy son of the community who had done so much towards developing the area by deploying his personal resources for public use.
According to Igwe Emeka, with the construction of the road, it has further opened access into Umueri community and widened her investment and economic prospects.
The benefactor, Chief Onwualor said his decision to build the road for his community was informed by his belief that good road network is panacea to economic activities.
He said he was also honoured by the governor’s policy on think-home, adding that individuals can assist government in providing infrastructure to the people especially those at the grassroots.
Okoyenta of Awgbu
Few days after, precisely on January 7, 2024, Soludo commissioned a 1.5km road built by a community leader, Chief Aloysius Okoyenta in Uruagili, Osikwu Community, Awgbu in Orumba North Local Government Area.
The governor lauded Okoyenta for aligning with his administration’s PPCP initiative by building the road for his community, reiterating that it was the best way to develop the grassroots.
Okoyenta said he was driven by the Governor’s call for participation in grassroots development by all and sundry, pointing out that with the construction of the road, the community had been linked with their neighbouring communities in the state.
He expressed satisfaction with the joy his people exhibited since the commencement of the road project, disclosing that he will do more to assist his community and government in general.
Okoyenta said: “This is predicated on the fact that only 2% of Anambra’s public resource is in the hands of government. The other 98% is in the hands of private individuals. Thus, there cannot be any significant development in the State without the active contribution and participation of these individuals who hold a huge chunk of these resources.”
President General of Awgbu Progress Union, Emmanuel Ugochukwu expressed joy over the road project and thanked Chief Okoyenta for coming to their aid by constructing the road.
Uzoh and Wonder Group of Abatete
December 29, 2023 was historic for the people of Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area as a total of 11km of roads were commissioned there by the governor.
The roads which crisscross Abatete community were built by indigenes of the town who came together to assist their people especially in the area of road infrastructure. This was in addition to the provision of other basic amenities.
At the commissioning ceremony, Governor Soludo highlighted that the privately built roads can be a cost-effective way for governments to expand road networks without incurring significant construction costs, especially now that the resources are meagre.
The governor who drew the analogy of the “Neni Model” where an individual kick-started road infrastructure revolution in the community, said he was committed to supporting similar laudable efforts in Abatete and other communities.
He underscored the need for citizens to actively participate in community development initiatives.
One of the sponsors of the road projects, Fred Uzoh, an engineer, commended Soludo for being present to encourage their efforts.
Uzoh who chaired the event noted that Nsukwu, one of Abatete’s four quarters, has witnessed active participation from its illustrious sons in Soludo’s model of PPCP.
He said they were prompted to execute the projects by the level of challenges faced by the people, noting that the roads will ease their suffering.
By and large, an eminent son of Nnewi, Chief Cletus Ibeto has applauded the PPCP model being promoted by the Soludo-led administration.
The foremost industrialist and philanthropist who spoke when the governor commissioned a state-of-the-art health centre built by Chief Oliver Nwagbara in Okpuno, Uruagu, Nnewi, recently, emphasised that development work was not the obligation of government alone.