At a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, Anambra governorship aspirant, Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo has stated reasons he aspires to be governor of Anambra State. According to him, Anambra State being one of Nigeria's economic engines would have been South East's and South South's largest economy, as well as the country's second largest hub of trade and commerce.
At the media chat on Monday with men of the fourth estate, the humanitarian explained that Anambra State accounts for over 50% of VAT receipts in South East, highlighting the importance of Anambra State within Nigeria.
During the interview, Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo came across as measured and affable. He preferred to focus on what he can do rather than trying to rely on someone to get him to that office. Observers have described him as mild-mannered with an inclusive style.
Anambra State, being the economic nerve centre of the South East and South South, brings with it its own challenges. The state’s population, estimated at over 4 million, is projected to increase to 6 to 7m in the next 10 years. The cities are already congested and traffic, not only on the major roads but also at the inner parts, is a real issue.
Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo said that in a recent study he commissioned, lack of durable, access roads, portable water, constant power supply and waste management emerged as Ndi Anambra's major concern. Other priority issues include the need for more large scale investments in infrastructure, education, information technology and health. He expected that this will consume the bulk of the state’s revenues.
Anambra has the challenges of many mega-cities. There is rising inequality and affordable housing is also a major problem, with almost half the population estimated to live in poor and overcrowded areas like Okpoko, Odo rubber, Fegge, Awada, and Nkpor.
Why does Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo believe he is the right person for the office of Governor, Anambra State?
Engr. Onunkwo says he brings a unique blend of private and public sector experience, with a focus on using technology to run a better administration that will harness the innovative and can-do spirit of Ndi Anambra. Digital Governor (as he is known) talks like a private sector executive, wanting to measure and track progress.
But his real strength, he says, is his ability to listen and relate to people and also engage from the bottom up, to not only run a better administration but deliver on the people’s greatest needs.
Despite the state being credited for having taken its destiny in its own hands, through the help of some wealthy Ndi Anambra, the system can appear dysfunctional. Infrastructure, for example, is the responsibility of both the state and the Federal Government. So the two need to work in tandem to deliver on certain projects, such as roads and hospitals.
It gets even more complicated when it comes to power, where the state relies on the national grid – although one way of getting round it is to circumvent the current network and create self-contained grids. With this in mind, Engr Onunkwo says thorough discussions need to be had with the central government around the issues of power and infrastructure. Having his own party in government will make things easier, but one gets the impression this has not been the case during the current Buhari administration. He is a president for all.
We want a much more collaborative relationship with Abuja, not only within Anambra State but also to enhance networks with other states. It’s not necessarily an issue of clashes over the way forward but rather, Abuja understanding the specific needs and challenges.
"Any state’s success like Lagos State has been built on its ability to attract private investment across several sectors, especially infrastructure. One example of large-scale investment is Aliko Dangote’s $15bn oil refinery project in Lagos State. We do not have it here and as Government, we cannot do it alone. We will engage private sectors as private investment is the key. We will not sign MOUs that are not workable for Ndi Anambra."
Engr. Onunkwo believes that the private sector needs to be the engine for growth. But his biggest challenge is to ensure that the major cities do not become one of haves and have-nots. He wants to ensure that civil society, youth and other stakeholders all have a voice and a participating role in government, saying his government must be collaborative, one where access is open.
Chief. Onunkwo having toured the communities in Anambra State, is not adamant that Ndi Anambra want to be engaged. He believes that he will use his government to demonstrate that you can build a compact between the people and government. The people will pay their taxes if they see that their money is being put to good use.
Chief. Onunkwo thinks that technology will help bring even more efficiencies to the way government is run, and also in enhancing governance. Although he says government needs much more in terms of resources to be able to accommodate the state's needs for education and healthcare, he insists that he will not increase tax, but rather, adopt a more efficient tax collection.
According to Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo, anyone who’s been to Anambra or lives in Anambra will notice its unique energy and can-do spirit. For Engr Onunkwo, the difference between Anambra State and Lagos State is primarily one of infrastructure. “Once you enable this entrepreneurial spirit with adequate infrastructure, there’s no reason why Ndi Anambra shouldn’t be able to compete with other States,” he adds. "The state’s success is fundamental not only for the state but for the country as a whole."
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