Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has revealed that at least 76 communities in the State have never had public primary schools since their existence.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, and was monitored by our correspondent from Onitsha, the Governor emphasized his administration’s determination to correct the long-standing neglect by establishing new schools in underserved areas.
“We are now going to build brand new schools in these communities. About 76 communities in Anambra have never had a public primary school since creation. We will begin to establish both primary and secondary schools in those places,” Soludo stated.
The Governor further stressed that his government would not rely on borrowing to finance the projects, noting his administration’s cautious approach to debt.
He cited Anambra’s decision to opt out of the World Bank’s NG-CARES loan program as an example of this fiscal prudence.
According to him, the NG-CARES initiative had been negotiated before he assumed office during the COVID-19 period.
However, after reviewing the terms, his administration chose to withdraw, making Anambra the only State to reject participation.
Soludo explained that while other States benefited from about ₦438 million distributed under the program last year, Anambra received nothing because of its withdrawal.
The same happened recently when about ₦50 billion was shared among States, with Anambra again excluded.
He described these choices as deliberate, reflecting his commitment to prudent and responsible management of public resources.
By Sunny A. David, Awka