Menu

Soludo

Soludo

Soludo inaugurates seed processing plant for export produce

,

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra on Tuesday inaugurated an export-based seeds processing plant, known as Panac Industries Ltd.

The plant is located at Mgbawa, Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area.

Soludo, represented by  the Commissioner for Industries, Mr Obinna Ngonadi, described the plant as the first of its kind in the South-East.

He further described the plant as an addition to the industrialisation drive of the state.

He commended the Managing Director of the firm, Mr Chinedu Aniagboso, for blazing the trail in the seed processing subsector.

He called on entrepreneurs across the country to invest in the state, saying that “Anambra is open to investors”.

He said that the administration was determined to support the activities of the export sector.

According to Soludo, we have already commenced the creation of an export emporium, where all export-bound products would be showcased, standardised, branded and containerised.

“This is a great initiative, exporting processed agro produce is a huge addition to the industrialisation efforts of Anambra, including its employment and revenue benefits.

“We are going to support businesses like this.

“Already, we have started building an export emporium on a 40-hectre land.

“That facility will be a standardised point for all Anambra export brands,” he further said.

In a remark, Aniagboso said the company was set up to add value to Nigeria’s agricultural produce.

He said that the plant had a combined capacity of 60-metric tonnes processed sesame seeds, soya bean seeds and sorghum

He said the initiative was a product  of years of business opportunity research within and outside the country.

He thanked the Anambra Government for providing the conducive environment for investment to thrive in the state.

Aniagboso appealed to the government to provide the basic infrastructure and institutional support for young entrepreneurs.

The Director-General of Onitsha Business School, Prof. Segun Sogbesan, said the only way Nigeria could improve her balance of trade was to encourage export of value added products.

Sogbesan said Nigeria should move from exporting primary products to processing in order to earn foreign exchange.

Also, Chief Kevin Obieri, the Chairman, Onitsha Chamber of  Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, called on the State Government to build industrial clusters with necessary facilities that encourage business establishment and growth.

Obieri congratulated Panac Industries for leading the pack in the export-based subsector.

He said that indigenous firms need incentives, low cost finance, access roads, power and water to thrive.

Taxes

Soludo slashes levies, moves against multiple taxation

, ,

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has announced a reduction in the amount of levies payable by public transport operators in the state.

Soludo announced this at a meeting with stakeholders in the transport sector in Awka on Wednesday.

He also approved a weekly payment option as against monthly payment.

He also suspended the collection of loading and offloading fee from haulage vehicles until further notice.

The governor reaffirmed the ban on collection of levy from hawkers, wheelbarrow pushers and other forms of indigent traders.

He said that his administration was addressing the issues of multiple taxation, describing it as a huge disincentive to trade and commerce.

He said that government would evolve a progressive, simplified and technology-driven tax system, where the rich would pay more and touts would have no role any longer.

Soludo said it had become necessary to fine tune the revenue collection system.

According to him, about 90 per cent of the proceeds from multiple levies never reached the government but ended up in private pockets.

With the new rates, tricycle operators are to pay N10,000 as against N15,000 with an option of N2,500 per week.

Taxi operators, who were paying N17,500 per month, would pay N12,000 henceforth.

Mini bus operators would now pay N15,000 per month as against N30,000 while the shuttle bus would now pay N12,000 per month instead of N25,000.

Also, mini truck levy was slashed from N25,000 to N15,000, while motorcycle operators would now pay N4,000 monthly as against N7,500.

Soludo said that transport unions would continue to exist but must be registered and managed by those operating the sector.

He said that renteer unionists would no longer be allowed.

He urged them to cooperate optimally and reciprocate government’s kind gesture.

He said that tax was crucial to executing public sector policies and programmes.

The governor gave assurance that every money meant for the people would be utilised to work for them.

Soludo

Soludo advocates mainstreaming of private sector ethos into governance

Anambra’s Gov. Charles Soludo on Monday in Lagos stressed the need to mainstream private sector principles in governance to move Nigeria forward within a short time.

Soludo said at the Institute of Directors (IoD) 2022 Annual Conference that adopting private sector ethos in governance was pertinent because Nigeria was going through a transition to get on the path of sustainable development.

He stressed the need for purposeful leadership and productive partnership between government and the private sector as the country transitions to a post-oil economy.

“If we are serious about moving forward with this disruptive agenda with a deadline, we must stop clapping with one hand.

“Part of the leadership must be driven by the private sector as the public sector must learn from private sector principles and run government as business with emphasis on execution, financing, and evaluation.

“Nigeria is a land of opportunities and has everything to become one of top 10 economies in the world in the next decade, but everyone has to volunteer to serve pro-bono and agree to run government as a business.

“Execution is key and this is the missing link and the private sector needs to become much more activist in seizing the space in the public sector,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, noted that huge misconceptions existed already about Nigeria’s national airline which he described as a public-private effort aimed at creating a seamless aviation industry for Nigeria.

He said the partnership with Ethiopia Airlines to kick-start Nigeria’s national airline was a good move because Nigeria needed a strong and dominant airline to partner with it to bring up the economy of Africa.

He added that he had asked airlines operating in Nigeria to partner with the well-structured national carrier to enable Nigeria to take advantage of the volume of trade on the African continent.

“We are excited that there are a lot of interests.

“Partnership with Ethiopian Airlines is not a bad thing as the volume of trade and tourism within Africa is huge and Nigeria must take advantage of the fortune.

“Ethiopia and Qatar airlines were the only ones that posted profits during COVID-19 and Ethiopia’s investments in its national airline would seamlessly take us to the world of aviation.

“Shareholders structure is 5 per cent for government with no management control or board membership and I am glad the airline is taking off,’’ he said.

Earlier, Dr Ije Jidenma, President, IoD, said the conference provided the opportunity for the business environment to interact with government to foster close and beneficial relationships.

She stressed the need for a cross-fertilisation of ideas between both sectors to build the new Nigeria that Nigerians deserved.

“As Nigerians, we must always celebrate what is right with us such as government’s efforts at developing infrastructure as seen in the completion of the Terminal Two of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport.

“No private organisation would thrive without great collaboration with government and the IoD is committed to forging relationships that would drive public-private partnership so that businesses can thrive,’’ she said.

Soludo

Soludo signs revised budget of N170bn, borrows N100bn

,

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, has signed the revised budget of N170 billion into law.

Soludo said that the budget christened; “Building off from the Blocks”, fell short of N250 billion, estimated as the amount required in building critical infrastructure in the state.

Mr Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Soludo, who disclosed this in a Statement on Friday, said the governor commended the Anambra lawmakers for being diligent, responsible and responsive.

`While commending the speedy passage of the budget, the governor called for stronger synergy between the legislature and other arms of government.

“There were no underhand dealings in signing the budget, rather the process was conducted with integrity, patriotism and responsiveness,” he said.

Soludo, who said though the resources at government’s disposal were abysmally lean, and earnings from the oil sector were so low, his administration would bridge the deficit through multiple strategies, including cutting down on expenditure and prudent procurement process.

The governor said he obtained the approval to borrow N100 billion to boost available finances, for effective execution of the budget.

Soludo thanked the State House of Assembly members for understanding the exigencies in the borrowing plan, and promised that the money would be spent on critical infrastructure.

“Not all the borrowed money will be spent this year; it will be re-fenced and used for critical infrastructure development, particularly in building roads, bridges and others.

“There will be absolute prudence in making sure the people of Anambra get value for the money borrowed, and every kobo judiciously used to create wealth.

“My administration is currently cleaning up the state wage bill and the payroll system,” he said.

The governor thanked the people of the state for their support and sacrifices through payment of their taxes and other civic duties.

Soludo

Soludo, ex-CBN governor takes over Anambra

,

Prof Charles Soludo has been sworn in as the fifth governor of Anambra State in a low-key event that took place at the Government House on Thursday.

Soludo took over from Mr Willie Obiano who has served two terms of eight years.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor took the oath of office alongside his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim.

There was heavy security presence at the venue, hours before the event as guests began to arrive for the programme. Routine security checks were carried out on them before entering the venue.

A circular by the state government showed that about 50 persons were invited for the ceremony as Soludo said he wanted a low-profile event.

The swearing-in is the culmination of a series of events leading to the handover.  A day earlier, the former governor had handed over some state documents to the new leader.

In his farewell speech, Obiano had thanked the state for the privilege to serve, asking for forgiveness from those he offended. According to him, his intentions were pure even though he might have stepped on some toes.

He believes in his eight-year stint, his administration delivered on his campaign promises.

Soludo’s inauguration came about four months after a landslide victory in the governorship poll.

The flagbearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), defeated his closest rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Valentine Ozigbo.

The Isuofia-born banker won 19 of the 21 local government areas of the state to clinch the post. He got 112,229 votes, twice higher than Ozigbo who had 53,807 votes.

A month after he won the election, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit to invalidate the victory.

The suit sought to nullify his win on allegations that Soludo provided false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Taiwo Taiwo in dismissing the suit said it lacked merit and was a waste of the court’s time.

He told the plaintiffs not to use the court as a tool to stagnate democracy and also awarded N2 million to APGA, Soludo, and Ibezim who were the second, third, and fourth respondents in the suit. INEC was the first defendant.