Soludo promises to bring Nnewi back as top industrial city

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has promised to bring Nnewi back as the leading industrial and commercial centre in the state. He plans to do this through urban renewal and development projects.

Mr Soludo made this promise while touring important public infrastructure and development sites in Nnewi on Wednesday.

The governor said the tour aimed to find infrastructure problems, recover unused public assets, and unlock the city’s economic potential.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that one of the main sites visited was the Nkwo Nnewi Triangle. Here, a shopping complex has been left unfinished and unused for about 17 years.

Mr Soludo showed his worry about the long neglect of this facility, calling it a waste of public money.

“It is unacceptable that public assets meant to drive commerce have been left to rot for nearly two decades.

“We are here to draw a line in the sand. This facility will no longer be a monument to neglect; we are moving swiftly to restore it to productive use for the benefit of the people of Nnewi,” he said.

The governor also checked the post office area and the state high court premises. He mentioned that these sites would be included in a larger urban renewal plan aimed at improving access and public service delivery.

He said the administration is also looking for good locations for housing developments to support the growing workforce in the city. This will help keep Nnewi competitive as a commercial hub.

According to him, the government is identifying underused open spaces across the city to turn them into parks, recreational centres, and commercial facilities.

“Our strategy is simple: we are unlocking the hidden value of Nnewi.

“By converting dormant open spaces into lively public parks and productive facilities, we are not just fixing buildings; we are stimulating local commerce.

“We are also reclaiming Nnewi’s rightful place as the premier industrial nerve centre of the region,” he added.

He revealed that construction and redevelopment on the identified projects would begin in the coming weeks.