ANAMBRA TODAY: Obiano builds 3-Arms Zone, begins moves to relocate Govt House

BY OUR REPORTER ON JUNE 26, 2014 · COVER
Governor Wil­lie Obiano of Anambra, has flagged off the construction of an ultra-modern complex to host the three arms of government, on a choice piece of land in Agu Awka, measuring 830 hectares.

Turning the sod at the con­struction as one of the legacy projects earmarked to sig­nal the commencement of a fresh set of projects to mark his first 100 days in office, Governor Obiano assured that the complex would be completed in one year.

Located on a magnifi­cent stretch of land with a commanding view of the sprawling plain, the complex nestles in the Greenwood Estate of the Awka Capital Territory.

Sizing up the real estate, Obiano directed that no tree located in the area should be felled by the construction company handling the build­ing of the complex unless it was absolutely necessary.

The governor also ruled against indiscriminate bush burning and any other un­toward practices that would affect the picturesque topog­raphy of the place and its se­rene surrounding.

According to him, the government would take seri­ous actions against anyone who indulged in practices that would discourage pri­vate developers from mov­ing into the surrounding ar­eas of the locality.

Speaking on the project, the Commissioner for Hous­ing, Hon. Lawrence Chin­wuba, said the project was the first of its kind in the state and would be delivered on schedule.

According to him, the project, especially the Three Arms Zone, namely the Government House, the Governor's Lodge, the Ban­quet Hall and the House of Assembly, would be spon­sored by the government, but because of the massive na­ture of the project, investors were invited to participate in developing the greater part of the estate.

Said he: 'It is a public-private partnership initiative, so it will involve other inves­tors to be able to deliver on the big picture.'

Similarly, Obiano has also flagged off the construction of three fly-overs between the Amawbia and Arroma end of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, a distance of about three kilometres with­in the Awka capital city.

The fly-overs, which will be constructed at Amawbia Junction, Kwata Junction and Arroma Junction, within the stretch, are estimated to cost the state N5billion.

Speaking on the proj­ects, Governor Obiano re­vealed that the three proj­ects which were awarded to an indigenous company, IDC Construction Limited, had a completion date of a year and were in fulfill­ment of his promise during the campaigns to transform Awka into a befitting capital of Anambra State, which would be comparable to any other capital in the advanced countries of the world.

The governor expressed confidence that with his commitment to transform Awka, it would be the envy of other states in Nigeria, adding that the Awka Capi­tal Development Authority was carrying out a compre­hensive master-plan of Awka that would make it one of the best cities in Africa.

He also revealed that his administration was build­ing a massive shopping complex, a five -star hotel and 5,000-capacity modern conference centre in Awka to shore up the status of the city.

'We want a capital city everybody will be proud of. Every road we construct must have street lights. I want the cooperation of the Awka people. Please, don't disturb the contractors and their workers. Allow them free hand to do their job. All of us will benefit from the projects when completed,' he said.

The state Commissioner for Works, Hon. Callistus Ilozumba, who also spoke at the flag-off ceremony, said the projects would be completed on schedule and assured that the state govern­ment, would pay the contrac­tor as and when due, add­ing that the project would change the entire skyline of Awka and its environs.

He also revealed that the state government had awarded the reconstruction of Amawbia to Amansea section of the Enugu-Onit­sha Expressway at a cost of N9 billion

Chief Victor Umeh, APGA national chairman, who also spoke, used the occasion to enjoin members of Anam­bra State House of Assem­bly, who were not elected on APGA platform, to join hands with the state govern­ment to enable better devel­opment of the state.

Umeh used the occasion to wave the olive branch to par­ty members, saying he had no malice against anybody. He reiterated his commit­ment to ensure that APGA wins all the seats in Anam­bra State and other states in the 2015 general elections, adding that the unity of the party was paramount in his administration of the party.