Soludo Warns Traders Over Monday Market Closures

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a stern warning to traders in Onitsha’s Main Market regarding the continued closure of shops on Mondays due to the sit-at-home directive.  Soludo expressed dissatisfaction with the number of locked shops, stating that any business failing to open on Mondays would be penalized. The governor gave the warning during a visit to the market. The sit-at-home practice, originally called by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in 2021, has significantly affected business operations in the South East.  Despite the suspension of the order, fear of enforcement has led to continued closures.  Soludo emphasized that the ongoing shutdowns were damaging the local economy and warned that shops could be sealed for up to a month if they failed to comply.  He also promised adequate security to support traders in resuming full commercial activities.

Soludo Invites IPMAN Over N900m Diesel Debt Claims

The Anambra Government has invited the leadership of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for a meeting over the claim of over N900 million debts to contractors who supplied diesel. Mr Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs said this in Awka on Thursday while reacting to the association’s letter of appeal. IPMAN had in the letter begged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to pay members who were contractors to the Anambra government for the diesel they supplied to power streetlight generators in March and April 2022. IPMAN said the debt was to the tune of N900,664,805. Nwabunwanne told journalists that the government had taken notice of their complaint and would do everything to protect their businesses. He however blamed the delay on discrepancies in the claims of the contractors. The commissioner said his office will meet with the leadership IPMAN, the umbrella body of the marketers, to reconcile the figures for settlement. “I have invited the leadership of IPMAN for a meeting early next week for discussion, it is clear that they do not have the correct information on our dealings with the contractors, there are discrepancies. “So, the meeting will enable us to reconcile these discrepancies and progress to the next step. “The Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration is a business friendly one and will do all that is possible to support and help them stay in business,” he said.

Anambra targets N160bn revenue from palm oil, coconut

The Anambra Government says it hopes to rake in more than N160 billion yearly from ongoing palm oil and coconut investment. Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, Deputy Governor of the state made this known while inaugurating the 2023 Farming Season at Alex Ekwueme Square Awka. Ibezim who represented the governor at the event said the anticipated revenue was from one million palm seedlings and one million coconut being imported from Malaysia. “We started importation of one million palm oil seedlings and one million coconut from Malaysia last year, these species have three years maturity period. “When this investment fully matures, the off-takers will be processing the fruits of these plants and over N160 billion will be yearly income from this window”, he said. Ibezim also said there is a plan for irrigation of 10,000 hectares of land for rice farming at Ifite Ogwari Community, Ayamelum Local Government Area for rice cultivation. He said that agriculture has the potential of not only creating wealth but employment opportunities for thousands of people. Ibezim said it was for the abundance of opportunities in the sector that the government listed it among the priority area of investment in the 50 years development plan of the state. He called on farmers to show commitment to the sector as the government will always support them in their activities. Also speaking, Dr Foster Ihejiofor, the Commissioner for Agriculture said the state is currently promoting the “Biological Farming” practice which according to him is nature’s sustainability solution. “As we all know farming is not about producing food; it is about preserving our environment and ensuring the sustainability of our food system. “Biological farming aka, zero budget, carbon farming or regen-Ag launched in 2022 by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo is a sustainable agricultural system”, he said. Ihejiofor urged farmers to embrace the new farming system, saying ”Biological farming is not just environmentally friendly, it is also economically beneficial to farmers as it reduces the cost of inputs while improving soil health, plants health, nutrients among others. The event was attended by farmers from the 21 Local Government Areas and tertiary institutions within the state.