How Obiano is setting Anambra State apart – Part 1

If there is one governor who is not losing sleep over the current economic crunch and other myriads of problems plaguing the country, that is Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State. It is not that the Governor has become immune to the socio-economic hardships confronting Nigerians. The reason is, as the saying goes, the way you make your bed so you lie on it.

Governor Obiano, from all indications, is proving that he understands the peculiar problems facing Anambra State. Things will begin to change in the country if each governor could take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of his state and act accordingly the way Obiano has done. Across Nigeria, the problems are the same bordering on lack of basic social amenities, that, notwithstanding, some states could be high flyers if the governors know what to do.

It is senseless for all the governors to be doing virtually the same thing, which is why there is practically no difference between the states. The same problems of poverty, lack, mass ignorance and dirty environment are evenly distributed all over the federation. But why can’t there be a small Taiwan, a masterpiece of modern economic development, in one or two states that could serve as beacon for others?

That explains why virtually all the states are in trouble at the same time. As many as 28 states can no longer pay workers salaries except by bailout from the Federal Government. When the money was flowing, the same states that are cash strapped today were reeling in stupendous cash, which was lavished in stack prodigality. The governors that presided over those billions went on junketing in private jets oblivious that no condition is permanent; the crude oil market from which the money rolled is most unstable and unpredictable.

Like the grasshopper that hops around in summer forgetting winter, most governors procrastinated on bogus projects that had no bearing with the people. Only the wise ones, like the ant, ignored the sweet summer sun and focused on gathering pieces of food for the winter. Such governors plowed the available cash into useful economic ventures with the rainy day in mind. The frugality of this handful of states has paid off. Those are the few states that are paying salaries without bailout.

Anambra State belongs to this group. Amazingly, this is the same Anambra State, which started rather badly at the beginning of this dispensation in 1999 but has turned around to become the victor ludorum, a centre of attraction and admiration among the states. Thanks to the dynamic leadership and synergy of former Governor Peter Obi and the incumbent Governor Willie Obiano, who has braced the task even more aggressively.

Former Governor Chiwoke Mbadinuju, who happened to be the first in this dispensation from April 1999, had a turbulent administration, as he was hamstrung by powerful political forces in the state at the time. Anambra couldn’t pay salaries during that period. Mbadinuju was succeeded by former Governor Chris Ngige, who waged a battle and confronted the menacing political forces and charted a new course.

For a long time, Anambra State was embroiled in untold internal crisis that pushed governance to the back seat. The consequences were many in all ramifications. Onitsha, at the time, was more of a refuse dump than a commercial city. The original “A” state became embarrassingly odd in the country. The battle fought by Chris Ngige cleared the way and liberated Anambra from the comatose state. The immediate past Governor Peter Obi then laid the foundation upon which Governor Obiano is now building. This unimpressive insight into the past is necessary to show that things could really change if the right brains are on the driving seat. Anmamr, literally, emerged from a dark tunnel.

Since Governor Obiano assumed power on March 17, 2014, Anambra State has made a steady progress. By kicking off with the promise to make Anambra an economically viable and investor paradise, friendly, safe and secure state, the Governor demonstrated his clear understanding that Anambra is the epicenter of business in Nigeria. Unfortunately, this was hampered by general insecurity. Armed robberies and kidnappings were rampant in the state.

Nothing could be done in an unsafe environment. Governor Obiano’s Operation Kpochap (clearance), a highly trained, well equipped and motivated taskforce comprising various security outfits in the state, including local vigilantes, swung into action, penetrating the nooks and crannies of the state. Property belonging to hoodlums and other criminal characters were demolished.

Specially equipped crime-fighting equipment, including speed guns and patrol vehicles were donated to boost police operations. The security taskforce has succeeded in ridding Anambra State of criminals and hoodlums thereby making the state safe for the first time. Onitsha, hitherto, the epicenter of criminality in the South-East is now safe. To ensure that criminals don’t infiltrate from neighbouring states, Obiano sold the security dragnet to the five South-East states and Delta State.

Having secured the state, Obiano then created the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), an economic blueprint that captures his four pillars of development, namely: agriculture, industrialisation, trade and commerce, oil and gas. ANSIPPA is Obiano’s magic wand that holds the key to wealth creation, economic development and investment in Anambra State.

Within a short time, ANSIPPA is making waves in the various sectors of the state’s economy. In agriculture, for instance, notwithstanding that Anambra State has the smallest land area in the country after Lagos, which makes land a major constraint, even as gully erosion has devastated large swaths of landscape, Obiano embarked on a vibrant agricultural revolution, designed to make the state self-sufficient in food production as well as have the surplus for export.

To achieve this, the Governor has embarked on mechanized farming to produce rice. The state has become a major rice producer, gearing to surpass 320,000 metric tonnes. The Anambra rice brand is reportedly stone free and competes favourably with foreign brands that suck Nigeria’s foreign exchange.
To be continued.