Gov.Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has announced that his administration has dualised more than 170 kilometers of federal roads across the state.
He said it was part of efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.
He spoke during a press conference in Awka on Wednesday to mark Anambra State’s 34th anniversary.
Soludo said the road projects form a significant part of his administration’s infrastructure transformation agenda.
Anambra State was created on August 27, 1991, alongside eight other states, by then Military President Ibrahim Babangida.
“We have been dualising major highways.
“We are working on over 170 kilometers of federal roads within Anambra to enhance mobility and drive economic progress,” he said.
He acknowledged that the federal government would not reimburse the state for the projects, but emphasised that the long-overdue work was necessary.
“These roads should have been dualised 60 years ago.
“Whether or not the federal government refunds us is secondary.
“These roads are in Anambra and are used daily by our people. We must continue to build and expand them for the sake of our future,” he said.
Soludo projected significant population growth in the coming decades, saying, “By 2070, we expect the population of Anambra to reach about 35 million.
“Without adequate infrastructure, movement within the state would become almost impossible.”
“If we were able to revive Nigeria’s moribund banking and financial systems, fixing our roads should not be a challenge.”
On the proposed railway project, the governor revealed that the state has completed the master plan. However, he noted that securing financing remains a major challenge.
