By Chinenye Onwusonye
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has declared that the local government system in Anambra State is fully operational and delivering infrastructure at the grassroots, following the commissioning of a three-kilometre road in Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
In a report published on September 20, 2026, by Christian Aburime, the governor was quoted as making the declaration during the commissioning of the road, which was constructed under the leadership of Ekwusigo Local Government Mayor, Hon. Chimezie Obi.
The road, constructed with sub-cement stabilization, stone-base laying and asphalt finishing, was described by Soludo as a landmark project and evidence of the renewed capacity of local governments to execute major infrastructure projects.
Soludo commended Obi and the council for the quality of the road, saying he doubted that any local government in the country had constructed a road of similar standard in the last 20 years.
The governor attributed the development to reforms introduced by his administration to strengthen the local government system, particularly its fiscal capacity and long-term sustainability.
He said the era of councils struggling to meet basic obligations, including the payment of primary healthcare workers, pensioners and gratuities, was over.
Soludo also addressed the issue of primary school teachers who were owed 16 months’ salaries dating back to 2001. He disclosed that a fresh recertification exercise was underway for outstanding arrears exceeding N400 million, with payment expected after the verification process.
The governor described the Ekwusigo road as a “proof of concept” of what empowered local governments could achieve, adding that he would visit other local government areas to commission projects completed by their respective mayors.
He further said more than 137 roads and other projects were awaiting commissioning across Anambra State, describing the state as a major construction site.
Speaking at the event, Ekwusigo Mayor, Hon. Chimezie Obi, outlined projects executed by his administration, saying his council was modelling its governance approach on Soludo’s development blueprint and the People’s Manifesto.
After commissioning the road, Soludo also commissioned the Ekwusigo Local Government legislative building and presented cash gifts to students and schools involved in the council’s skills acquisition and empowerment programmes.
