Soludo pushes for regional railway to link five South-East states

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has called for a transformative vision for the South-East, urging the newly formed South-East Development Commission (SEDC) to prioritize the construction of a regional railway linking the five states in the geopolitical zone.

According to Soludo, this ambitious project could unlock the economic potential of the region and foster much-needed integration.

The governor made this passionate appeal during a State Executive Council meeting in Awka, where he bid farewell to Mark Okoye, the outgoing Managing Director of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), who has been appointed as the pioneer MD/CEO of SEDC.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, Soludo reaffirmed Anambra’s full support for the commission and called for large-scale infrastructure projects that would reshape the region’s future.

“Governor Soludo assured him of the state’s full backing and charged the commission to prioritize key projects, particularly a regional railway that connects all five South-East states, given its immense economic potential,” the statement read.

For Soludo, the vision is clear: a united South-East driven by shared prosperity and seamless connectivity. A regional railway wouldn’t just ease movement — it would revolutionize commerce, open up new markets, and strengthen the social fabric of the region.

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But infrastructure wasn’t the only priority on the council’s agenda. Soludo and his team also threw their weight behind the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in its fight against counterfeit and expired drugs. The council called on the agency to fast-track its inspection and verification processes, promising full government support.

As part of efforts to combat the circulation of fake drugs, the state government pledged to complete the Anambra State Pharmaceutical Hub, also known as the Coordinated Wholesale Drug Centre, in Oba.

Security and community collaboration also took center stage in the council’s discussions. Soludo urged local communities to work closely with the government in tackling insecurity, emphasizing that safety remains a collective responsibility.

Addressing concerns about religious practices, the council reassured traditional worshippers that the government’s crackdown on fetish practices was not an attack on indigenous beliefs but a necessary step to curb harmful rituals.

In a decisive move, the council vowed to stamp out fraudulent native doctors who promote “wealth without work;” a dangerous narrative that has fueled crime and exploitation. The sale of fetish items like Oke-Ite also came under scrutiny, with the government warning against the continued spread of such practices.

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