Anambra governor, Obiano, directs officials to get back to work as election’s over

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has directed members of his administration to face their responsibilities with greater vigour and dedication because the “election is now over”.

C Don Adinuba, commissioner for information and public enlightenment, said in a statement made available to businessamlive that Obiano sent a memo to members of the state’s executive council, whose All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won 24 out of the 30 seats in the state House of Assembly contest last Saturday, that, “Much as all of you were involved in the electioneering campaign and gave the House of Assembly election your best shot, this is not the time to rest on your laurels, but tme to work harder for the people of our dear state who expect so much from us.”

Obiano said with a score of over 80 percent in the election it shows the tremendous confidence Anambra people repose in not just the candidates who won the election, but all flying the APGA flag.

“APGA has been at the helm of affairs in Anambra State since 2006, and the narrative has been radically different ever since. Consequently, APGA has become not just a political party in the state but a movement. Our people believe fervently in it,” he said.

According to Obiano, the most immediate challenge before the government is to become the first state to pay the new minimum wage once the appropriate bill is signed into law”.

The new national minimum wage bill will increase the state’s monthly bill by N1.4 billion.

“This is quite significant for a state which receives a modest amount monthly from the federation account, and our monthly internally generated revenue of some N1.4 billion is not good enough for a state like ours which is now the fourth largest economy of all the 36 states in Nigeria plus the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja,” the governor said.

He revealed that the government has been working on a 50-year strategic plan which will see the state become “the Hong Kong of Africa, developed, disciplined and competitive in both manufacturing and the services sector”.

He said there was enormous task ahead for the government but enjoined them to see the renewed mandate freely given to APGA as a call to service, as an opportunity to roll up their sleeves in a way never done and work tirelessly.

“Partisan politics is over. Do not see people in other parties as your political opponents any more. You should rather see them as brothers and sisters who are contributing in their ways to the rapid growth of our state.

“Our policy of constructive engagement should be your way of life as regards your relationship with members of other parties at the state level and the national level.

“We will make greater economic and social progress when we deepen our political culture of inclusiveness, amity, camaraderie and solidarity which has thus far served us well,” he said.