The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA in the November 6 Anambra election, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo over the weekend, promised traders in the Commercial city of Onitsha that he will ensure that the city retains its position as the international trading hub in Africa, if voted as the Governor of Anambra State
Soludo gave this assurance while speaking to about 27 Union Markets at the Onitsha Head Bridge Market at their monthly worship service.
The APGA guber candidate who spoke of his career as an itinerant scholar, consulting for more than 20 organisations and financial institutions across the globe before coming home to serve the nation in various capacities under President Olusegun Obasanjo, said to enhance the traders’ business, he will tackle the issue of electricity headlong while the revival of the Onitsha port will be taken up.
He also promised to liaise with relevant government agencies to address the issue of Customs encumbrances in freighting goods to the Southeast.
Soludo told the traders that his greatest desire, was to encourage manufacturers from China and other parts of the world where the traders go to buy their goods, to set up their manufacturing plants in Anambra State.
This, he said, will reverse the state’s business strategy from being an importing to an exporting state.
He also promised to digitalize their business by providing almost free wi-fi internet connectivity to enhance their business activities, through collaboration with telecom providers in the country.
Soludo also promised to address the incessant harassment from police, customs and Agberos will be addressed as well as cancel all illegal taxes while technology will be deployed as a better option to collect taxes.
The former CBN governor said his agenda for the youths is to create 130,000 jobs every year to get them fully engaged, adding that he will equally create 1,000 youth millionaires every year to further drive job creations and economic boom in the state
He promised to set aside a N5 billion as start-up business capital for young entrepreneurs to engage in businesses in the state, asserting that his major job will be to promote made-in-Anambra goods and services.
“I will be the chief marketing officer of made-in-Anambra goods and services as a way of promoting businesses and boosting our State economy,” Soludo promised.
Pastor Peter Onuorah who preached at the monthly devotion service called on the people to be conscious of their actions, noting that it is only righteousness that exalts a nation.
The state Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Uche Okafor urged the people to vote for Soludo, claiming he has the experience and training to turn Anambra State around for the better.
