Picture: Aerial view of Upperiweka, Onitsha
By Chinedum Treasure
The Anambra State Government has approved the extension of its urban regeneration programme to Upper Iweka, Onitsha, in a major move to transform one of the state’s busiest gateways.
The government has also given owners of abandoned vehicles across the state a one-month ultimatum to remove them from public roads or risk having them impounded and scrapped.
Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on decisions reached at the 17th meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), held at the Light House, Awka.
He said the Upper Iweka remodelling project would fundamentally transform the area’s aesthetics, functionality and land use, including parks and other public spaces, in line with the Soludo administration’s vision of a livable and prosperous homeland.
According to him, a detailed master plan and design for the Upper Iweka regeneration project would be unveiled soon.
On the abandoned vehicles, Mefor said the Council had directed the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) to issue a one-month notice to their owners to remove them from roads across the state.
“At the expiration of the notice, all such vehicles will be impounded, removed and scrapped by the government.
“This measure is necessary to remove hazards, ease traffic flow and enhance the safety and aesthetics of our roads,” he said.
He advised owners of abandoned vehicles to remove them immediately to avoid forfeiture.
The Commissioner also announced the Council’s approval for the commencement of the selection, placement and training of the third batch of the One Youth, Two Skills (1Youth 2Skills) entrepreneurship programme.
He said the Ministry of Youth Development would announce details of the eligibility criteria and application procedures in due course.
Mefor recalled that two batches of the programme had been completed, with more than 13,000 Anambra youths trained, empowered and mentored across over 60 skill areas.
He further disclosed that more than 5,000 beneficiaries had become confirmed millionaires and were now training and empowering other youths through the programme’s pay-it-forward model.
The 1Youth 2Skills initiative, he said, remained a flagship youth empowerment programme of the Soludo administration, designed to produce a new generation of skilled, productive and self-reliant youths.
Tags: Anambra State, Upper Iweka, Soludo, Urban Regeneration, 1Youth2Skills
