Soludo Pushes for Regional Railway to Link Five South-East States

• Governor Soludo urged the South-East Development Commission to prioritize a regional railway connecting five South-East states

• The railway project aims to unlock economic potential, enhance connectivity, and drive regional integration

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has urged the newly established South-East Development Commission (SEDC) to prioritize the construction of a regional railway connecting the five states in the South-East.

According to Soludo, this transformative project would unlock the region’s economic potential, enhance connectivity, and drive integration.

During a State Executive Council meeting in Awka, the governor made this call to bid farewell to Mark Okoye, the outgoing Managing Director of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA). Okoye has been appointed as the pioneer MD/CEO of SEDC.

In a statement released Tuesday by Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, Soludo reaffirmed Anambra’s full support for the commission and urged it to pursue large-scale infrastructure projects.

“Governor Soludo assured him of the state’s full backing and charged the commission to prioritize key projects, particularly a regional railway that connects all five South-East states, given its immense economic potential,” the statement read.

For Soludo, the vision is clear: a united South-East powered by shared prosperity and seamless connectivity. He believes that a regional railway would revolutionize commerce, create new markets, and strengthen regional socio-economic ties.

But infrastructure wasn’t the only topic discussed by the council. The fight against counterfeit drugs also took center stage, with Soludo’s administration pledging support to NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control).

The government urged NAFDAC to fast-track inspection and verification processes while promising full backing in combating fake and expired drugs. To further this effort, the state government pledged to complete the Anambra State Pharmaceutical Hub (Coordinated Wholesale Drug Centre) in Oba.

Security and community collaboration were also high on the agenda, with Soludo emphasizing that public safety is a collective responsibility. He urged local communities to support government efforts to tackle insecurity actively.

Additionally, the council addressed concerns over religious practices, clarifying that the crackdown on fetish rituals was not an attack on indigenous beliefs, but a necessary measure to eliminate harmful practices.

In a decisive move, the council vowed to root out fraudulent native doctors who promote “wealth without work”, a narrative that has been linked to crime and exploitation. The government also warned against the sale of fetish items like Oke-Ite, emphasizing the need for cultural reforms.