Mixed Bag For Anambra State @ 35 – Says Offodile

An Executive Director of Nigerian Maritime, Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Chudi Offodile, says erosion and environmental issues, low internally generated revenue, soaring house rent and brain drain are some of the major challenges facing Anambra State as it marks 35 years of creation.

In a congratulatory message to Ndi Anambra on the State’s 35th anniversary, Offodile described the State’s development journey as a bag of mixed stuff.

He noted that while appreciable progress had been made in the past 35 years, there were still serious work to be done to place the State on firm footing.

‘I congratulate my fellow citizens on the gains achieved so far. After a troubling start, we’ve been able to achieve a unity of purpose. Our reasoned premium on competent leadership is not a small gain. It’s the foundation of our headway in administration and modernisation since 2003.’

Offodile, a former member of the House of Representatives, said in terms of social stability and infrastructure growth, the agitation for creating the State had to some extent been justified. He explained that while the quest for state creation in the old Anambra State was vindicated by the State’s growing fortunes, other challenges remain.

‘We acknowledge past and present administrations for their contributions. We have had accountable governments. The State has gained in physical structures. The practice of political inclusivity has fostered sense of fairness and peace. Now, where do we go from here?’

Identifying areas of next emphasis, he said. ‘The erosion threat is still there. It calls for multi, long term action. The urgency of the problem is seen from the fact that the State has small land mass. Another is low internally generated revenue. This has proved an uphill task for every regime. It has to be addressed if we truly want development. There is also the housing crisis. Ninety percent of households in our urban towns are groaning under high rents and insufficient residential accommodation. The situation calls for a new approach to the problem. ‘

On the issue of brain drain, the ex lawmaker canvassed development of a system by which the State would richly benefit from it’s human capital. ‘Education is our key industry. Every year, we produce thousands of graduates and post graduates. But they soon migrate to other places to practice their skills. So we need to reposition to benefit from their services.’

Offodile commended Governor Charles Soludo for rising above constraints of the time to register bold steps in development. ‘Credit goes to the Soludo administration for taking the State to a new level. The Anambra Mixed Industrial City and Solution Innovation District are landmark undertakings. This is the first time we’re having an industrial park. Organised production and commerce is good news for the economy. Likewise, the entrepreneurship energy to be unleashed by the innovation venture are great stories in development. And with other strides in social amenities, there’s bright future for Anambra State.’