Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has commissioned the 1.2-kilometre Nzegwu Okoye Road in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to community-driven development through strategic partnerships.
The road project was fully funded and executed by the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka, under the state’s Public-Private Community Partnership (PPCP) model. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, Governor Soludo described the project as a powerful example of how meaningful development is achieved when individuals take ownership of their communities.
According to the governor, true prestige is no longer defined by titles or ceremonial displays, but by tangible contributions that improve people’s lives. He noted that the Nzegwu Okoye Road will significantly enhance mobility, stimulate local commerce, and improve the overall well being of residents in the area.
Soludo emphasized that the “Anambra Spirit” thrives when citizens do not wait solely for government intervention but actively contribute to development at the grassroots level. He praised Igwe Emeka’s initiative as being fully aligned with his administration’s philosophy and pledged government support for similar efforts across the state. “Once you build it, I’ll come and commission it,” the governor declared, encouraging further private and community investment in public infrastructure.
The governor also challenged Anambra’s wealthy elite to rethink their contributions to society, urging them to shift focus from displays of affluence to impactful community service. He stressed that such partnerships ensure development is not only government owned but people owned.
In his remarks, Igwe Ben Emeka expressed gratitude to the governor for commissioning the road and reiterated that the project would boost mobility, commerce, and social interaction within Umueri.
The Umueri project adds to a growing list of community funded infrastructure initiatives in Anambra, including a recently commissioned five kilometre road in Aguata Local Government Area built by a private individual, further highlighting the success of the PPCP model championed by the Soludo administration.
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