By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife has unveiled an economic development agenda for Anambra Central Senatorial District, promising to prioritise economic empowerment, infrastructure expansion and sustainable commerce across the district’s seven local government areas if she wins the senatorial seat come 2027.

Ekwunife’s proposed agenda was contained in a statement issued by her Media Team on Thursday.

According to the former Senator, her focus is strengthening local enterprises, reducing the cost of doing business and improving infrastructure to unlock the district’s economic potential and create opportunities for traders, artisans, farmers, youths and other grassroots entrepreneurs.

Ekwunife, who is seeking to represent Anambra Central a second time at the Natioal Assembly under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said, “My legislative priorities would centre policy interventions designed to remove barriers to business growth, improve access to economic opportunities and build a more resilient and inclusive local economy.

“My agenda presents economic empowerment as a key pillar with emphasis on translating legislative influence into practical benefits for businesses and communities across the senatorial district.

“Easing the Cost of Doing Business by promoting laws and policies to eliminate redundant taxation, streamline regulatory approvals and reduce operational costs for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).”

While noting that there is need for creating policies that would stabilise energy supply, improve access to credit and address market inefficiencies, Ekwunife noted that such will create a more favourable environment for local trade, innovation and enterprise development.

She added, “By reducing the financial and regulatory burdens confronting small businesses, the proposed interventions aim to strengthen the competitiveness of local enterprises, encourage investment and stimulate job creation across the district.

Microcredit and Grassroots Economic Empowerment.

She however cited limited access to capital as a major obstacle to grassroots enterprise and further advocated for targeted, low-interest microcredit schemes for traders, artisans and small-scale processors..

The statement added, “The proposed interventions would include accessible loan arrangements, capacity-building workshops and cooperative grant programmes designed to ensure that financial support reaches market women, youth innovators and rural entrepreneurs. The initiative is expected to promote financial inclusion, strengthen small businesses and expand economic opportunities at the community level”

The statement further explained that the agenda also underscores the importance of equipping beneficiaries with the skills and business knowledge needed to manage funds effectively, sustain their enterprises and create additional employment opportunities.

According to the statement, Ekwunife’s agenda identifies infrastructure development as essential to sustainable economic growth across Anambra Central, proposing legislative interventions to attract federal funding for critical road corridors, feeder roads and rural electrification projects throughout the district.

It stressed that improved connectivity between agricultural communities and urban commercial centres would reduce transportation costs, minimise post-harvest losses and enhance trade and productivity.

While saying that the proposed infrastructure drive is also intended to improve access to markets, facilitate the movement of goods and services and strengthen economic linkages between rural communities and major commercial centres, the statement read,

“The proposed development framework seeks to build on the distinct economic strengths of Anambra Central’s seven local government areas through targeted interventions aimed at promoting balanced growth and expanding economic opportunities.

“In Awka South, the agenda prioritises strengthening the area’s position as an administrative and financial hub to stimulate commerce, real estate and professional services.

“For Awka North, it proposes expanding agricultural production and food processing to improve food supplies to urban centres and strengthen the agricultural value chain.

“In Idemili North, the focus is on strengthening wholesale distribution and commercial trade networks, including those associated with Obosi and surrounding markets.

“For Idemili South, the agenda identifies light manufacturing, cottage industries and traditional crafts as sectors requiring support and investment to expand production and create jobs.

“In Njikoka, the proposed priorities include developing educational institutions, technology hubs and networks of medium-scale enterprises to encourage innovation, skills development and entrepreneurship.

“For Anaocha, the agenda advocates support for agro-allied industries, cultural tourism and community-based cooperative trade to promote local investment and improve livelihoods.

“In Dunukofia, the focus is on improving interstate logistics, highway commerce and agricultural produce warehousing to facilitate trade and strengthen market access.”

It further stated that ,Ekwunife’s campaign is anchored on the theme, “Agenda for Mind Renewal 2027,” with the slogan, “Iyom Ifekaolaedo 4 Senate 2027,”