Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has revealed that the deplorable state of roads and lack of basic social amenities in Enugu Ukwu and Aguleri communities moved him to tears during a visit.
Soludo made this known on Wednesday during the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship campaign rally in Anambra East Local Government Area.
The governor explained that his emotional outburst came after witnessing the severe neglect and hardship faced by residents in the area.
“The oldest man in Enugu Otu told me that they needed a tarred road. I was at Enugu Ukwu Aguleri — that’s the place where I cried. I cried there publicly because we drove to the place for almost one and a half hours, and this is the worst road I have ever seen,” Soludo said.
He narrated how his visit exposed the lack of essential amenities, including healthcare and electricity.
“I asked them, what if somebody was ill and had an emergency by 1:00 am? They said there was no hospital. I asked about pipe-borne water, they said no; electricity, they said no,” he recalled.
According to Soludo, even schoolchildren in the area expressed their plight by holding up placards listing their needs when he first visited.
“When I was going there, the school children lined up along the road holding cardboard papers listing what they needed. Some of the schools didn’t have seats or chairs. Some said their roofs were leaking, others said they had no teachers — all manner of problems,” he said.
However, the governor noted that the situation has significantly improved since his administration intervened.
“But the last time I visited Enugu Ukwu and Aguleri, I saw a solar-powered borehole scheme running there. I saw new power lines, and I went to commission a brand-new general hospital with medical personnel and doctors,” Soludo said.
He added that the children who once listed their problems were now full of joy during his latest visit.
“The first time I went, I cried, but the second time I went, I laughed. The children were no longer displaying lists of their problems — they were dancing and welcoming me,” he said.
Soludo used the example to highlight his administration’s commitment to inclusive development despite difficult terrains.
“You can’t go to a people and say there is no hope. Ours is to give hope. To construct roads in that terrain is very expensive, but we will not leave anyone behind,” the governor assured.
