Continuity Supercharged: Beautification of Onitsha and Environs, By Obika

"Onitsha Bu oyibo ogbo" has been an aged long belief amongst my people of Omambala axis in Anambra North Senatorial district. That statement posits that Onitsha stands tall as far as the east of the Niger is concerned. A city well organized. The continuous influx of people of different tongues and backgrounds to the commercial city center without adequate urban planing standards had led to the Onitsha we know today.

Needless to state heretofore that Onitsha as the host of the largest market in West Africa can not boast of a railway nor a working taxi system. Avalanche of revenues accruing from Onitsha and environs amounts to over 65% of the total Anambra state IGR monthly.

Although Onitsha had been there when past administrations governed both the Eastern Nigeria, the Old Anambra and Now the Anambra of today, it gladdens my heart to state that its only APGA government in Anambra state that is now repositioning her and recalibrating her to its original status in the region and to our dear state respectively.

The untidiness of Onitsha got the cameras of Aljazeera media house sometime in 2012 as one of the dirtiest metropolitan cities in Africa. It was not a cheering news as the then government led by Chief Peter Obi took it upon himself to rewrite the wrongs. This he did trough the launching of several programs aimed at getting Onitsha cleaned up. Suffice it to add that Onitsha produced both Chief Peter and Gov. Willie. Through the destruction of some notorious areas like the Agbakoba park, the Odekpe axis, cemetery and the rest of them. The partial war against hoodlums and criminals were initiated during this time but not very visible successes were recorded then. The then government, through the  cordial relationship with the presidency, bridge head to upper Iweka expressways were constructed to complete trunk, with service lanes. This alone brought Onitsha back on track. People started appreciating her again

Then came Gov Willie Obiano whose fidelity in continuity is yet to be equaled to any in Nigeria. He quickly reassessed Onitsha and discovered that many things are yet to be done-the Day robbers of upper Iweka and Onitsha vices that became normal then. These he tackled head on and complete sanity was restored to that section through the Operation Kpochapu, operations safe conduct and others, Onitsha got secured instantly. It was magical. Recall that Onitsha was not counted during the 2006 population census due to some unrests, today That city is a haven for peace. The picking pockets stopped, the uncouth agbero style stopped, the broad day light robbing stopped. Kidnapping stopped, Onitsha bounced back and some of our brothers who out of fear of being kidnapped live in Asaba all came back and started opening new townships around Onitsha. The construction of over 3pedestrian bridges across the express ways not only saved the inhabitants the risks of crossing the express ways, it made Onitsha look truly metropolitan. The installation of community viewing centers in strategic places around Onitsha brought her at par with other cities. The construction and eventual opening of conveniences in strategic parks and markets no doubt reduced the odious smells oozing from the drainage systems of Onitsha.

Today, the introduction of daily road sweepers in Onitsha has made it to be counted one of the cleanest cities in Nigeria. The fencing of solid waste dumpsite in Onitsha and the dismantling of over 40years mountain of refuse at Odekpe stands this administration high in the cleanliness category.

Today Onitsha can boast of a millennia shopping mall that is obtainable in only very highly placed cities in Nigeria. The decongestion program of the state government in Onitsha has seen quick urbanization creeping in to Nkwelle Ezunaka, Nsugbe, Ogbunike, Ogidi, Umuoji, Obosi and Urba respectively. It could only get better

Let this continuity continue
#we have not forgotten.

Obika Chidiebele
14/9/16