From: David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi

Twenty-eight out of 31 members of the Anambra State House of Assembly have reportedly given their backing to Governor Willie Obiano for his re-election bid in the November 18 governorship poll in the state.

A member of the Assembly representing Nnewi North Constituency, Hon. Amala Anazodo, who spoke on personal capacity said that any opposition to Governor Obiano’s second tenure would not be in the best interest of the people of the state.

Anazodo noted that one of the reasons some states did not make meaningful progress was the issue of not allowing a working governor to consolidate on the gains of his administration in terms of projects, started, completed and other laudable programmes  they have for the people.

Anazodo noted that the current economic recession in Nigeria had affected so many states to the extent that they could no longer meet up with their financial obligations including payment of workers salaries and pensions “but this is not so with Governor Obiano because of his prudent management of the available resources to the State. As an accountant, he knows what to do to manage the meagre revenues that come to government coffers.”

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The lawmaker also said the foregoing alone should be enough reason to allow him complete his second tenure to enable him bequeath good financial management to his successor.

Anazodo explained that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of many States in Nigeria had dropped forcing them to depend solely on statutory allocation from the federating account, noting that Anambra under Governor Obiano has been able to weather the storm which he explained made the State to be among the four States out of thirty six States that were still able to honour all their financial obligations.

He noted that with the efforts of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), the State had become investors’ destination with over $7billion investment attracted since the inception of the Obiano’s administration. The lawmaker said this had been made possible because of availability of adequate security in the State. He said the Governor deserved kudos for all these.

“Additionally, the escapades of the Governor Obiano administration in agriculture is second to none in all the thirty six States of the federation. And this is quite apt as the nation is shifting from dependence on oil to diversified economy. With about $2.6 billion investment in this area, Anambra is far ahead of other States in agricultural revolution. The State can now export vegetables and will soon begin to export rice. These are laudable achievements,” he argued.