The Anioma State Creation Movement has renewed its call for the creation of Anioma State, arguing that it holds more strategic and economic advantages than other proposals from the South East.
According to the Media Director of the Anioma State Creation Movement, Chief Barr Tonnie Oganah, the group said Anioma State would bring “real value” to the South East by adding both human and infrastructural strength to the region.
According to Oganah, the proposed State capital, Asaba, already has the necessary infrastructure to function effectively as a capital, unlike other proposed capitals.
“Asaba is already a going concern with a modern and fully functional international airport, a state-of-the-art secretariat, commissioner quarters, high courts, magistrate and customary courts, judges’ quarters, several universities and higher institutions, tarred roads, shopping malls, banks, hospitals, a film village, and federal institutions,” Oganah said.
He explained that the creation of Anioma State would save both time and resources since the necessary infrastructure for governance is already in place.
Highlighting its economic prospects, Oganah noted that Anioma would contribute over 6,400 square kilometres of dry land to the South East, an area the region currently lacks, as well as several rivers and railway lines that could boost trade and connectivity.
He added that the State would bring in an additional population of over two million people and contribute oil and gas resources to the South East economy, complementing the existing production in Abia and Imo states.
“With Anioma’s oil and gas deposits, the South East economy will experience a boom and crime will naturally reduce. If the Asaba end of the River Niger is dredged to accommodate bigger ships, business will thrive even more,” he said.
The group also argued that the inclusion of Anioma in the South East would help decongest overcrowded cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt as more Igbo people would return home to explore new opportunities.
Oganah maintained that the cultural and linguistic similarities between Anioma and other South East states would foster greater unity and development.
“Anioma’s addition will make the South East Nigeria’s most harmonious zone since our language is largely Igbo and our culture is similar. We will also bring optimum human capital development and vast arable land suitable for agriculture,” he said, adding that the area experiences less erosion compared to many parts of the South East.
The group further noted that the South East currently has only 95 local government areas out of Nigeria’s 774, the lowest among the six geopolitical zones. The creation of Anioma State, Oganah argued, would increase the number of local governments in the South East, ensuring a fairer share of federal allocations.
“Since revenue in Nigeria is shared based on the number of local governments and states, Anioma will help bring more funds to the South East for the development of the Igbo nation across the 13 states where Igbos are domiciled,” he explained.
Supporters of the Anioma State creation believe the move will not only correct perceived political imbalances but also stimulate economic growth and regional stability in the South East.