By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
As the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo marks his two years in office on Sunday, March 17th, 2024, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor has scored the governor high, especially in the areas of quality roads infrastructure, recruitment of teachers, health workers, medical personnel and digitization of schools and hospitals.
Delivering his goodwill message to Governor Soludo at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, the charismatic and influential Bishop thanked God for what he had used the Governor to do so far in Anambra, noting that he (Soludo) had shown truly that he had the demonstrable will to fulfill his campaign promises and as well make his mark as the State’s number one worker.
“As an observer, I have seen that the Governor knows what he is doing. I will score him high going by what he has done on road infrastructure, recruitment of teachers and health workers, equipping and digitization of schools and hospitals. I have gone round the state and see that he is really putting up solid roads across the state. Distribution of laptops to ICT teachers, headteachers, principals of mission and government owned schools
“You can now move from Amansea to Awba Ofemili in Awka North Local Government Area. You can also drive from Amansea to Awa in Orumba North Local Government. Many roads have been constructed and reconstructed in Awka and Onitsha and its environs. I was at Ogbaru sometime ago and I witnessed a whole lot of quality work going on there. The basement, smoothness of the roads are topnotch. I can attest to it”, the Prelate said.
Speaking on the areas he would want the Governor to beam his searchlight to, the Cleric expressed sadness over what he described as epileptic power supply in the state, incessant building collapse, even as he urged the Governor to go the way of Abia State in terms of power generation and also find a solution to the frequent collapse of buildings in Anambra.
“With what is going on in Anambra State now, investors may begin to relocate to Abia State. We are happy with what Professor Barth Nnaji did . It took twenty years to come up but with proper arrangement, it cannot be more than three. We really need such in Anambra. With regular and adequate power supply the Dubai-Taiwan mantra would be easily and effortlessly achieved.
Another serious issue I will like the Governor to address is the issue of continuous collapse of buildings in Anambra State. It is really not good for our image. It is appalling to say the least. Whoever that they are using should be changed. Contractors should be engaged and closely monitored”, Bishop Ezeokafor suggested..
The Catholic Prelate said that the Governor should be allowed to concentrate and deliver to Ndi Anambra all he had promised to do, saying that even if they would criticize, let it be constructive. “I am not a supporter or a card carrying member of any political party but I am speaking as a religious leader who had seen some people out of desperation write for writing sake.
“We cannot have two governors at a time. It must be one and that man is Soludo. It is his time. Let us allow him to do the job he was elected to do. He needs no distraction. I am not a fan of unnecessary criticism. I know some are talking because of personal interest and concerns. Others have come and go; Soludo will also do his bit and leave.Nobody will be there forever. It is his time. Let us give him all the support he deserved”, he pleaded.
On the issue of the burial law, the Local Ordinary stated that Governor Soludo should not be blamed at all for trying to enforce the law that had been made even before he came into office.
“Soludo didn’t make the law, it is the Church that thought it wise to come up with such laws. It is centred on reduction of hardship occasioned by extravagant funeral. Because of what people are passing through during burials, we decided to come up with the law. The government bought the idea and it was passed at the State’s House of Assembly. If you feel that there are areas you don’t like which, I doubt, go to the House of Assembly and have it changed. The Church is always for the poor. We are always on the side of the poor hence the law. If the Church is not there, the arrogant society will swallow the poor up. We are there to ensure that such never happens”, the Bishop emphasized.
Photo: Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Catholic Bishop of Awka.
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