By Gozie Ofonze, Awka.
The CEO of Stelconic Properties Limited, Chief Chukwuemeka Nkem Pat Orjiakor has praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s efforts to attract investments into Anambra State. The erstwhile deputy chairman of Awka south local government council commended the governor for the Town Hall engagements he initiated where he has had face to face conversations with Ndi Anambra in various parts of the country, calling them home to invest and telling them the need to have a prosperous homeland.
This comes at the back of the governor’s recent visit and town hall engagement with Ndi Anambra resident in Abuja, NewdayReporters understands.
Chief Orjiakor said this while speaking in a tv program “Nzuko Anambra” on ABS Television.
In his words ” First, I want to thank the governor for his initiative in driving the ‘aku luo uno’ agenda. His innovative Town Halls where he interfaces with our people in other states is marvelous and I believe it will bring positive results for Ndi Anambra. However, it has to be followed up because our people needs careful explanations on the need for homeland investments.”
“Also, I believe this is not what the governor should be doing alone. There is need for a directorate to be set up to go to our people in various places, frequently, to interface with them. For example, we have Ndi Anambra living in Kano, Kaduna, Kafanchan, Akwa Ibom, even Edo and other places within and outside Nigeria. We need to harness their potentials for investment for the overall good of Ndi Anambra. If we leave it for the governor alone, he won’t meet up with all before his tenure expires. This is Because we have more people outside the state than in the state, developing their host state, while our homeland is neglected.”
“It hurts me whenever I see our people who don’t have a house in our place building mansions in other places. I believe to this point that, setting up a directorate who’s responsibility will be to source for Ndi Anambra all over the place, interface with them and encourage them to come back and invest in the state will do us a lot of good.” He said.
Hon Nkem Orjiakor also called on well meaning Ndi Anambra to support the great work the government is doing security-wise, by engaging in community projects such as, installing solar lights and other security apparatus that will help the government in the fight against insecurity in the state.
While speaking on why many are discouraged from returning home, he said there is so much hate and envy in the heart of people, especially when they see someone progressing, he added that this has contributed as on of the factor scaring some of our people away from their land. He urged ndi Anambra to embrace love, to love one another irrespective of status, adding that love is the true identity of Christ, an attribute every Christian must embrace.
Chief Nkem Pat Orjiakor condemned the many levies investors are asked to pay by non-state actors as one of the reasons stalling development in the state. He urged the government to investigate these levies and ensure that the prohibited ones such as the youth levy, development levy amongst others are completely banned and properly enforced so that investors can have ease in carrying bringing in investment that will develop the state.