Ejike Anyaduba
When in 1991 the
military administration of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida heeded the call
to create more states in Nigeria it was probably for two reasons. One was to
douse the tension of structural imbalance in the country and, the other, to
give viable states the impetus to develop. Anambra was one of the states which
creation was thought exigent for both reasons. She was carved out from the old
Anambra state, comprising Enugu, Anambra and parts of Ebonyi states
Creating the new
state was a relief to ndi Anambra who had looked forward to a state of their
own where justice and equity would hold firm; where dichotomy and bickering
would be less emphasized; where people with common outlook on life, entrepreneurial
spirit and strong impetuous drive for success would easily aspire to a common
goal.
Unfortunately, the
road to realizing the dream became one hell of a winding path. The ship of the
state set sail off the wrong water and suffered the buffet of a cruel wind. As
states created alongside her developed Anambra tottered on the brink and could
only manage an uptick on the development ring. The pioneer administrators,
unable to get a handle on the task at hand, stalled for the most part. They could
not galvanize the state’s abundant human and material resources into action.
Basic infrastructure required for a start-up state was visibly lacking. By the
dawn of democratic rule it was obvious the foundation for the new state was not
laid. What was in place as the foundation was too weak to ward off sleaze and
engender a viable new state.
In time, negative
undercurrent of political activities, evident from shabby handling of
statecraft, began to tug at the soul of the new State. By 1999, it was certain
the ship of the state was going to keel over. The weak foundation could not
sustain the equally weak civilian government that just emerged. Expectedly, the system, already
distending from years of maladministration, began to spew out an army of highly
mobile and well connected political profiteers. The honest-to-goodness
administration of Chinwoke Mbadinuju was too harassed to act. Enervated by the viciousness of the invading
horde the government resorted to routine prayers. As Mbadinuju’s government
prayed the merchants became more daring. The result was wasted development
opportunities in the state and the summary replacement of Mbadinuju with Chris
Ngige.
Ngige’s
administration was characterized by frantic moments. The height of which was
his abduction by the same forces that ran his predecessor out of office. Ngige
showed grit, but his resistance did not last long enough to make any impact. The
courts were to vitiate his office after three years. But before that happened,
his government had commenced reconstruction of few state roads and did a fair
job of them.
The coming of Peter
Obi’s government was no less important as it did its utmost to further effort
in road construction and made a few strides in other areas. By the end of eight
years the government had expanded development to include, but not limited to,
road construction alone.
But in spite of all
these, the development horizon of the state remained narrow. The reaches were
not expanded to meet the needs of the time. The state groped for comprehensive
development. One very important aspect of the growth matrix - the nexus upon
which the comprehensive development revolves was regreattably missing. Security
of life and property was a nagging challenge. Kidnappers and armed robbers ran
riot in the state. With repulsive pertinacity they seized victims and yanked
off their possessions. Movement to certain areas of the state, and at certain
hours of the day, was forbidden. Abduction became commonplace as lots of
wealthy citizens of the state cowered in fear. The situation was so bad that
ceremonies (even ones with touch of tradition) were freely conducted in the
cities.
Industries were not
affected any less. Divestments became rife. The state lost revenue in hundreds
of millions. With Onitsha becoming increasingly unsafe, Asaba assumed an
alternate choice of residence for the people. Businessmen from the big market
and elsewhere in the state relocated to the Delta state capital in droves. More
than any group, they were the most vulnerable to the mindless abduction.
Consistently, the state lost the attraction as a veritable destination for
investors. Expatriate workers nibbled at the thought of picking up jobs in the
state. Those who defied the risk moved around in security cordon. Sadly, all security
plans (orthodx and otherwise) by the governments at the time held no
extenuating impact on the criminal affray.
However, just within
months of being, Governor Obiano xrayed the situation and nipped the lapses in
the bud. It is no longer news that Anambra is one of the safest states in
Nigeria today. Residents of the state now move about freely and go to bed
untroubled. Those who fled her shores during the dark days have since returned
as new settlers move in. Opportunities are opening for new businesses as
properties gain value.
Other sectors of the
economy are not left out. Virtually every one of them has leaped in growth. The
state has moved from divestment to investment. As a matter of fact, investment
in the state has quadrupled. The conservative worth is put in the region of 7.2
billion dollars. Most of the investments are in agriculture, estate and the
hospitality business. There is also considerable growth in infrastructure. This
is another area where the government has posted impressive performance. Awka,
until a few years back, had no distinctive imprimatur of a state capital. It
was seen as another Local Council Headquarters - more expansive perhaps. But
with the construction of three flyovers at Aroma, Kwatta and Amawbia, adorned
with flood lights and sprinklers, the place has been distinctly marked. Two
other bridges at Iyiora Anam and Aguleri both in the Omambala division, apart
from easing off the circuitious route to the oil field, serve as important
arteries for evacuation of farm produce.
Efforts in education,
health, transportation, environment etc have not come any less. The government
has not only sustained progress in eduction, it has furthered it to the extent
that Anambra ranks today among the best performing states in education. In fact, the state has led the pack for three
consecutive times in the junior and senior secondary examination results. She
has beaten states reputed for their primacy of postion in the education ladder.
No doubt the Willie
Obiano government has set a new pitch in the voice of development in the state.
It has proved that effective leadership is possible insofar as a leader can set
his priority right. It has positioned the state on a highway of comprehensive
development which if sustained in the next four years would change her
narrative.
Ejike Anyaduba
Writes from Abatete