From Ijeoma John Nnewi
As Anambra marks its 33rd year of creation from the old Anambra State,a business mogul and the President of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association has lauded the former Governors for significant progress in many sectors,but noted that there is still room for improvement.
Austin Emmanuel while speaking with some journalists in his office at Nkwo Nnewi disclosed that Anambra at 33 called for sober reflection, for the leaders to look at the State to see if they are really doing well in terms of infrastructure ,security,human empowerment and youth empowerment.
He said the present Governor of Anambra State,Prof Charlse Soludo should look at other States especially Abia State how massively it has been developing.
“We need to follow others since we have NGOs and World Bank that are sponsoring all these
“Anambra is a business Area,if harness the millions of Naira coming in everyday ,we will be far better than others” he said
Austin Emmanuel said the masses needed three things from any government which according to him were roads,security and light.
He commended Governor Soludo for constructing a road leading to Nnewi Hotel adding that it was not enough for a business area like Nnewi.
“We have over 80 registered markets in Anambra that are doing very well,we need more in infrastructure especially roads,security and light” he reaffirmed
Austin Emmanuel lamented bitterly over storage fees which was #12,300 last year but was increased this year to #33,000 something this year despite the economic situation of the country.
“We don’t know how the government came up with such decision .We weren’t consulted.People are murmuring” he revealed
He said increasing a levy to 200 percent is part of bad governance.
Austin Emmanuel urged the Government to look into it.
He further stated that the levy increment was not fair especially in a time like this.
On security,Austin Emmanuel said that they were not satisfied with insecurity in Anambra State revealing that he heard that Anambra State Government would soon come up with a plan in all the Local Government to put an end to this social malady.
“We’ re watching as peaceful and loving people.We don’t agitate or react negatively but we are intelligent people.Let the government do the needful” he said
Speaking on Ifeanyi Ubah’s death,Austin Emmanuel said that Nnewi community lost the only politician that has risen to been a Senator at the time of his death.
He revealed that Ifeany Ubah’s death has been a shock to so many people especially those he impacted
Austin described late Ubah as a courageous and fearless man whose tremendous achievement at young age before he joined politics was worthy of recommendation.
He disclosed that late Ubah’s doggedness,fearlessness ,his courageousness in approaching matters led to the move for Local Government election in all the States which he added that all Governors ceased to receive allocations meant for Government at the grassroot.
With this election,he said the Local Government Chairmen would be responsible for the development of their areas.
On their relationship with Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON,Austin Emmanuel said they have good relationship with SON starting from day one ,they provided apartment for them till the day,they rented theirs.
“They hear us ,reason with us ,know our plight despite the law guiding the Organsation made by the immediate past President,Buhari which was too powerful,but they kept it aside and still manage them” he noted
Speaking on Ibeto Seaport,he said that the traders have started complying revealing that over 40 vessels have landed in the Seaport.
Austin further revealed that soon all the Importers would visit Ibeto Seaport in Port Harcourt to have a glance of the Seaport .
He urged the traders to patronize their own adding the owner,Chief Cletus Ibeto remained their own who started trading in Nkwo Nnewi.
