Anambra Govt Hails Supreme Court Decision on Autonomous Communities

By Uche Eke

The Anambra State Government has hailed the Supreme Court decision against the creation of new autonomous communities in the state, urging proponents of the move to abandon the agitation and focus on unity and development.

The position was adopted on Monday during the 16th meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s second-term administration, held at the Light House in Awka.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, said the council aligned with the apex court’s decision, warning that creating additional autonomous communities could fragment existing ones and trigger confusion and conflict.

The council urged those advocating for new autonomous communities to redirect their efforts towards strengthening unity and promoting development within their communities as presently constituted.

It stressed the need for stakeholders to prioritise collective progress and peaceful coexistence rather than pursue initiatives that could undermine the cohesion of existing communities.

Govt Dismisses Plans to Reclaim Mission-Returned Schools

The Executive Council has also dismissed reports suggesting that the state government plans to reclaim mission-returned schools, insisting that no such move is being considered.

However, the council expressed concern over the poor standards observed in some of the mission-returned primary schools, which were voluntarily handed back by the government.

According to the statement, several primary schools across the state are undergoing renovation under a counterpart-funding arrangement between the Anambra State Government and the Federal Government.

In a related development, the council resolved to establish minimum operational standards for all public and private primary schools in the state.

It warned that schools that fail to meet the prescribed requirements would be shut down, underscoring the government’s position that all primary schools must operate at acceptable standards.

The proposed measures are aimed at addressing concerns about school conditions and ensuring that pupils learn in suitable environments.

Onitsha Main Market Regeneration Targets December Deadline

The council also received an update on the ongoing Onitsha Main Market Regeneration Project, expressing confidence that the project remained on course to meet its December deadline.

The update formed part of the council’s review of key government programmes and ongoing development projects across the state.

The latest decisions highlight the administration’s focus on community cohesion, improved standards in basic education and the timely execution of infrastructure projects.

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