Anambra Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has reassured that declining federal allocation arising from reduced revenue occasioned by the crash in the price of oil in the international market will not slow down his administration’s pace of developing the state.

Obiano, who first gave the assurance in his New Year Message, repeated it in a speech to celebrate his one-year in office as governor, Tuesday afternoon at the Alex Ekwueme Square in the state capital, Awka.

“Ndi Anambra, Willie is working,” he said. “We have delivered on our promise to insulate Anambra from the effects of falling oil prices. Anambra is on the rebound.”

He disclosed that this has been made possible through the dramatic increase in internally generated revenue – from about N300 million monthly to over a billion naira monthly – and spoke of efforts to further improve on the record.

The governor highlighted his administration’s achievements across the sectors, among them radical improvement in security, infrastructural development, attracting of massive investments and laying the foundation for the generation of enough electricity to power the economy of the state.

“Our aim is to make Anambra the number one investment destination. Our aim is to become one of the most industrialised states in Nigeria,” he stated.

As if to douse the tension arising from rumours about his strained relationship with his immediate predecessor, Peter Obi, Obiano paid glowing tribute to him and to Anambra’s illustrious ancestors such as Nnamdi Azikiwe and Emeka Ojukwu.

“I wish to express my gratitude to my friend and brother, Chef Peter Obi, for the foundation he laid,” Obiano said. “We have kept faith with our campaign promise to continue and complete the projects of my predecessor – not even one of them has been abandoned.”

The governor assured Ndi Anambra that the best is yet to come and solicited their continued cooperation to enable his administration operate without distractions.

•File photo shows Governor Obiano bonding with the people.

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