The Anambra State Government has unveiled plans to develop a mass housing policy through partnerships with private-sector investors as part of efforts to address the state’s growing housing deficit and rising rental costs.

The decision was among key resolutions reached at the second meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) during the second term of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, held at the Government House, Awka.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, said the council expressed concern over increasing housing shortages and escalating rents across the state.

According to him, the government resolved to address the supply side of the housing market by increasing housing stock through public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.

“The Council decried the housing deficit in Anambra State and resolved to address the supply side of the market to tackle the twin challenges of rising house rents and inadequate housing availability,” Mefor stated.

As part of broader governance reforms, the council also approved a policy requiring companies seeking government contracts to provide evidence of tax compliance as a prequalification condition for future bidding processes.

The government said the measure is aimed at ensuring businesses benefiting from public contracts contribute fairly to the state’s revenue generation efforts.

In another policy decision, the council directed greater involvement of academics and professionals from state-owned universities in the planning, implementation and evaluation of government projects.

Officials said the initiative would strengthen collaboration between government institutions and academia while promoting the application of research-based solutions to public sector challenges.

The council also approved plans to introduce legislation regulating the scrap metal industry and protecting public infrastructure from vandalism.

Under the proposed law, scrap dealers, including operators handling end-of-life vehicles, will be required to obtain licences before conducting business in the state.

The government said the move was necessitated by increasing cases of vandalism and theft of public assets.

Meanwhile, the council approved several infrastructure and public service projects across the state.

Among them is the award of an N801.7 million contract to Lebtech Construction Limited for the construction of a floodwater diversion channel at Ezioko in Oko-Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area.

The council also approved N279.5 million for the supply and installation of medical equipment and accessories at General Hospital, Oroma Etiti, with the contract awarded to Calyzid Ventures.

In addition, N92.7 million was approved for landscaping and external works at Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, with the project awarded to Ozoh United Ventures Nigeria Limited.

During the meeting, council members observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor, a retired Lieutenant General and former United Nations Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations.

The government said the latest decisions form part of ongoing efforts by the Soludo administration to strengthen governance, expand infrastructure development and address socio-economic challenges facing residents of the state.

The post Anambra to Partner Private Investors on Mass Housing to Tackle Rising Rents appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Many houses and farmlands in flood-prone communities of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area and Ifite-Awka in Awka South LGA of Anambra State have been submerged following days of persistent rainfall.

The flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday, left several families stranded and forced many residents to seek refuge in safer and upland areas.

Residents affected by the disaster have called on the Anambra State Government to urgently intervene, warning that the recurring flood crisis continues to disrupt livelihoods, destroy property and threaten lives.

A visit to the affected communities on Tuesday showed widespread devastation, with homes, business premises and farmlands submerged. Some residents were seen evacuating damaged belongings, while others struggled to remove floodwater from their houses and shops.

In Ifite-Awka, several structures suffered extensive damage, including the headquarters of a Pentecostal church, which partially collapsed under the impact of the flood.

Residents blamed the persistent flooding on poor urban planning, indiscriminate construction and weak enforcement of building regulations.

According to them, developers erected structures on natural waterways, obstructing drainage channels and worsening the impact of heavy rainfall.

The District Head of Foursquare Gospel Church in Ifite-Awka, Rev. Sam Ufo, described the incident as the worst flood disaster experienced by the church since relocating to the area.

“Items destroyed by the flood include musical instruments such as pianos, amplifiers and electronic equipment, alongside important church documents and records,” he said.

Ufo explained that while the church had experienced flooding previously, the scale of the latest incident was unprecedented.

He alleged that some developers blocked waterways originally designed to channel floodwater into nearby canals.

“We identified that the major cause of the perennial flooding is blockage of drainage channels. Developers acquired waterways and built structures on them,” he said.

He appealed to government authorities to recover and reopen the original waterways to prevent future disasters.

Also speaking, Chairman of St. John Street in Ifite-Awka, Uzo Umejiege, lamented the repeated flooding incidents during every rainy season.

“One of the major causes of this challenge is the topography of the area. We are at the lower end of the slope and suffer severe flooding whenever it rains,” he said.

He urged the government to construct larger drainage systems capable of accommodating water flow from surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, residents of Ogidi community staged a peaceful protest on Monday to demand urgent intervention over the recurring floods.

Youths in the area displayed placards expressing concern over deteriorating roads, submerged farmlands and worsening environmental conditions.

President of Ogidi Youths, Chris Obi-Okafor, described the situation as a humanitarian crisis.

He said the flooding had destroyed farms, economic trees and businesses while also affecting movement within the community.

“Our children are unable to attend school whenever heavy rainfall occurs. The impact is becoming unbearable,” he said.

Obi-Okafor called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene and provide a lasting solution.

The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alexander Onyido, also appealed for immediate government action to prevent further destruction and possible loss of lives.

An elderly farmer, Ndidi Nwacha, narrated how the flood destroyed her yam and cassava farms.

“I borrowed money at a high interest rate for farming this year. The flood has destroyed my crops and ruined my hopes,” she lamented.

Reacting to the development, officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Environment said authorities were aware of the situation and had intensified efforts to address flooding through drainage clearing, desilting waterways and community sensitisation campaigns.

The post Anambra Residents Displaced as Flood Destroys Houses, Farms, Church Property appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Anambra State Government has unveiled plans to deepen industrialised agriculture as part of efforts to increase farmers’ earnings, promote exports and reduce post-harvest losses across the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ben Odoemena, disclosed this on Wednesday during the inauguration of Ideal Agro Allied Produce Limited, a tuber crop processing company located in Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area.

The facility, established by businessman and industrialist Ikenna Okafor, is designed to process yams, cassava, potatoes and other tuber crops for export markets.

Speaking during the event, Odoemena said the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is prioritising commercial and industrial-scale agriculture over subsistence farming.

According to him, the new direction would improve food production, create opportunities for value addition and enable farmers to generate foreign exchange through export activities.

“We will encourage farmers to farm on a commercial scale, and this would not only guarantee food sufficiency but also enable them to earn foreign exchange,” he said.

He noted that the establishment of processing facilities would help eliminate concerns about harvested produce going to waste due to lack of buyers.

“With the establishment of tuber crop processing plants, there would be no fear of unsold farm produce rotting away because they can now be processed and exported,” Odoemena added.

The commissioner described the processing plant as a major step toward modern agricultural development and noted that it aligns with the state’s broader vision for economic transformation.

He said his first official assignment after assuming office being the inauguration of an agro-processing facility reflected the strategic importance attached to agriculture by the state government.

“I am happy that my first assignment after swearing-in is the inauguration of an agro-processing plant that will ensure zero wastage in tuber crops. This is the model of agriculture practiced in developed economies,” he said.

Odoemena stressed that Anambra had moved beyond traditional farming systems focused solely on production and local consumption.

“We have passed the period of planting, harvesting and eating. We now want to cultivate, process, consume and export to enrich ourselves,” he stated.

He added that the state government would continue supporting agro-processing industries capable of driving value addition and strengthening the agricultural value chain.

According to him, processing companies remain critical to ensuring sustainability in agriculture because they provide ready markets for farm produce and encourage higher production levels among farmers.

The post Anambra Targets Industrialised Agriculture to Boost Exports, Farmers’ Earnings appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Anambra State Government and traders at the Onitsha Main Market have reached an agreement to commence a phased remodelling of the market, aimed at upgrading infrastructure, restoring order, and repositioning the commercial hub to meet modern standards.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo disclosed this on Friday following an extensive dialogue with leaders and representatives of the Onitsha Main Market and adjoining markets at the Government House, Awka.

According to the governor, the engagement produced a consensus to begin immediate intervention works, with the remodelling to be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to trading activities.

Soludo said the decision reflects the need for leadership to sometimes take difficult but necessary actions in order to safeguard long-term economic sustainability.

“Leadership requires taking inconvenient decisions to secure the future,” the governor said, adding that the objective is to reposition Onitsha Main Market to compete at global standards.

Scope of the remodelling project

The governor outlined key components of the emergency intervention, which include the reclamation of market parks, restoration of walkways, and the construction of public conveniences to improve sanitation and ease of movement within the market.

Other aspects of the remodelling plan involve the repainting and colour-coding of shops and trading lines, as well as the removal of illegal structures that obstruct access routes and compromise safety.

Soludo explained that the initiative aligns with his administration’s broader urban development agenda, which prioritises planned, organised, and sustainable cities, communities, and markets across Anambra State.

He noted that Onitsha Main Market, one of the largest markets in West Africa, plays a critical role in the state’s economy and must be upgraded to support modern commerce, safety standards, and environmental sustainability.

Traders back phased approach

Earlier, the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Mr Chijioke Okpalugo, told the governor that traders had agreed to the phased remodelling approach proposed by the state government.

According to Okpalugo, traders recognised the need for improvements but stressed the importance of allowing adequate time to adjust to the changes.

He appealed to the state government to grant traders sufficient time to relocate goods and dismantle structures affected by the planned interventions, particularly those built illegally within restricted areas.

The phased approach, he said, would help traders continue their businesses while adjustments are being made, reducing economic losses and tension.

Balancing development and commerce

The remodelling agreement comes amid heightened sensitivities surrounding market operations in Onitsha, following previous disruptions linked to security concerns and sit-at-home directives in the South-East.

Governor Soludo emphasised that the current intervention is strictly developmental and not punitive, stressing that the goal is to create a safer, cleaner, and more organised trading environment for all stakeholders.

State officials say further consultations will continue with market unions and relevant agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the project.

When completed, the remodelling is expected to improve traffic flow, enhance safety, boost sanitation, and strengthen Onitsha Main Market’s position as a major commercial centre in Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.

The post Anambra Govt, Traders Agree on Phased Remodelling of Onitsha Main Market appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner of the 2025 Anambra State governorship election.

Soludo emerged victorious after results from all 21 local government areas were collated, securing 422,664 votes out of a total 584,054 votes cast across the state.

His closest challenger, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 99,445 votes, while other candidates trailed behind — ADC recorded 8,208 votes, and the PDP garnered 1,401 votes.

The State Collation Officer, Prof. Edogah Omoregie, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, announced the final results at INEC’s headquarters in Awka on Sunday.

Across the 21 LGAs, APGA maintained a clear lead in all, with strong showings in Aguata, Anambra West, Njikoka, and Ogbaru.

INEC said the election process was largely peaceful, though reports from observers indicated pockets of voter apathy in several polling units.

With this victory, Soludo is set to continue his tenure as governor of Anambra State, reinforcing APGA’s political dominance in the Southeast state.

The post Soludo Wins Anambra Governorship Election appeared first on Housing TV Africa.