Anambra State Government has stated that new projects would continue to be awarded based on their strategic and economic significance, and on the areas with the highest needs, saying that no new project would be initiated for the sake of the election season – as was the custom in the past.

The Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the decisions were part of the fallout of the 19th meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) at the Light House, Awka.

He said the ANSEC reaffirmed its pledge not to owe state contractors, which has also been the prevailing principle ever since Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo took office as the governor of the state.

According to Mefor, the state government has approved several contracts for key infrastructure projects aimed at improving the lives of its citizens.

“Among the notable projects is the dualisation of the Ekwulobia-Ufuma Road, a significant infrastructure development that will enhance connectivity and facilitate economic growth in the state.

“The contracts approved include: award of the contract for the construction & dualisation of Ekwulobia to Ufuma Road with a bridge in the sum of N37 billion to Lebtech Construction Ltd; the construction of Adili/Park Road with a spur to the Building Materials Market, Nnewi, to Ferrotex Construction Company in the sum of N1 billion; and the construction of School Road with interlocking pavement stones at Iyiowa Odekpe to Roadways Nig Ltd in the sum of N2 billion.

“Other contracts for various projects, including landscaping, supply and installation of medical equipment, construction of classrooms, and rehabilitation of hospital premises are: external works of the VIP Lounge (Lot 1) at the Chinua Achebe International Airport (CAIA), Umueri, in the Sum Of N172 million only in favour of Gill Associates Ltd; and the supply and installation of the furniture for the VIP Lounge (Lot 2) in favour of Gold Coast Shelters Ltd in the sum of N157 million only at the Chinua Achebe International Airport (CAIA), Umueri, Anambra State.

“The sum of N147 million only for the rehabilitation and asphaltic overlay of the internal premises of the Anambra State Civil Service Commission, Awka; the award of the contracts for the marking of stop lines, pedestrian crosswalks and yellow box traps on all traffic light junctions across the state, in the sum of N124 million only to Navigator Sign Ltd.

“Council also approved the award of the contracts in the sum of N927 million for the construction of the playground, volleyball and tennis courts, external works and other associated structures at the Ekwulobia Stadium Complex, Aguata LGA, Anambra State, to M.O. & C Int’l Ltd.

“Approved the award of the contracts for the supply and installation of medical equipment at the General Hospital, Enugwu-Otu Aguleri, at the cost of N346,563,000.00 (Three Hundred and Forty-six Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-three Thousand Naira only) to Minek Multi-Care Nig Ltd

“Awarded the contract for the construction of two suspended floor six classroom blocks at Awada Secondary School, Obosi, at the total contract sum of N174 million in favour of Conifer Kunstruction (Nig) Ltd.

“These projects are expected to boost the state’s infrastructure, improve the quality of life for its citizens, and attract investments to the state,” he said.