There is intense, healthy and variegated conversation among Ndi Anambra about what the Anambra State Governor-elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, will bring to the table. However, what seems to be missing in the conversation is familiarity with or knowledge of his agenda as succinctly spelt out in ‘Soludo Solution: A People’s Manifesto For A Greater Anambra State.’
We believe that proper literature review of this document should be the foundational precursor in shaping public debate on the policy thrusts of the Governor-Elect. It is therefore desirable that all critical stakeholders should go through the document so that we can move from the known to the unknown. Anambra will certainly be better off when the conversation is structured.
For instance, at the celebration of the remarkable life and times of the mother of my friend and brother, Christian Onyemelukwe, on December 3, 2021 in Enugwu-Nanka, the conversation on the subject centred on the priority sector the incoming administration should focus on. Some said roads, some industrialisation, some education, others energy while others said health, especially now that the omicron variant of the Coronavirus is on the prowl. Anambra was here like an elephant being described from the angle each viewer saw it.
True, what is lacking in all the conversations is a central theme that drives the development agenda. The manifesto document under reference has it and we think that understanding the overarching vision is imperative.
Yes, Soludo envisions a one-state megacity that will be liveable and prosperous. Liveability is the underpinning concept here. A liveable city provides equitable access to the necessities of life such as housing, mobility, food, services, education and gainful employment. It affords all residents the opportunity to participate in the civic, economic and cultural life of the city. There are five key aspects of great livable cities namely, robust and complete neighbourhood, accessible and sustainable mobility, a diverse and resilient economy, vibrant public spaces and affordability. The city for instance should make walking a joy that is safe, comfortable and interesting. In short, a liveable city is a healthy city that promotes heaith, well-being and equity.
The livability is the magnet that fascinates and attracts Ndi Anambra and the world to Anambra and engenders prosperity as people hardly invest in places where they can’t live. That’s why Soludo assures that as this grand vision is implemented, children born in Anambra will not have the lure to seek greener pastures elsewhere.
This is the game changer. During one of the interactive sessions with the cream of Ndi Anambra in Ikoyi, Lagos before the November 6, 2021 peaceful, free and fair Anambra Governorship election, Governor Elect Cee Cee Soludo rattled them to the reality that Lagos is not sustainable. In the 2021 edition of The Economist Intelligence Unit(EIU)Global Liveability Ranking, Lagos came second to last out of 140 cities studied as the Least Liveable City. The study is usually premised on urban quality of life, based on assessment of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
In the same study under reference, the first 10 liveable cities are as follows; Auckland, Osaka, Adelaide, Wellington, Tokyo, Perth, Zurich, Geneva, Melbourne and Brisbane. From the foregoing, we can begin to visualise where we are going. Lagos curiously is not in the scheme of things.
Soludo’s vision of transforming Anambra State into a one-state megacity might have been informed, unknown to many, by the fact that more than 80 per cent of global GDP is generated through cities. Therefore, making the Anambra One State Megacity more livable and productive is thus one of the best strategies for growing the Anambra economy and improving the welfare of the people. It is further envisaged that with collaboration at all levels, the One Anambra Megacity can attract investments, generate gainful jobs, boost productivity and power economic growth. We are sure that by now you can begin to see the correlation between liveability and prosperity, the two beautiful wings of his grand vision.
As we pointed in our previous intervention, location shapes life expectancy. This perhaps informs why people invest where they can live. The critical factors that mark out livable cities are as follows:
Residents feel safe, socially connected and included.
Environmental sustainability and access to affordable and diverse housing options linked via public public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure, gainful employment, education, local shops, public open space and parks, health and community services, leisure and cultural.
There is no doubt that urban degeneration in Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, etc, pose a challenge, but through urban regeneration projects, these centres can be more livable. Soludo says that Okpoko, a suburb of Onitsha, will be a pilot project in his urban regeneration agenda.
We are delighted by the deluge of positive responses we have so far received on the subject. Chidi Nwafor, an accountant, strategist and Prince of Ndikelionwu has imputed an organization design that will aid the actualisation of the Anambra Smart Megacity project. Chidi and many others believe fervently that we can pull this chestnut out of the fire and collectively take the glory.
Yes, the Soludo Anambra where we can live happily, learn happily, work happily, invest happily and enjoy happily is possible and now beckons.
***By Joe Anatune from Awa in Anambra State.
