# Anambra State government has mandated the Ministry of Environment and the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, also known as the OCHA Brigade, to commence enforcement of standards for road setbacks in the newly constructed dual carriageways.
The mandate was gave during the first Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) Meeting of the year 2026, which took place at the Light House, Awka, on January 12, 2026
These standards have been set at 1.5 metres for built-up areas and 3 metres for other areas. The setbacks were re-established as a minimum from drainage on all the new dual carriageways for motorised and non-motorised (NMT) users.
These setbacks from the dual carriageway align with global best practices, which include provisions for pedestrian walkways and other road provisions for pedestrians.
# The yuletide season have come and gone but commuters returning to Anambra State from other parts of the South-East were left stranded at various motor parks on Sunday as transport fares skyrocketed by over 200 per cent.
‎
Situations across major motor parks in Anambra state revealed that both interstate and intra-state fares had increased sharply, a trend that began on Tuesday.
‎
‎The surge was attributed to the expected high number of passengers and the limited availability of commercial vehicles, particularly students returning to schools.
‎
‎At Iweka and Star Sunny Motor Parks in Onitsha, travellers heading to Owerri were charged as much as N8,000 instead of the usual N3,500, while fares to Aba rose to N10,000 from N4,000
‎
‎Commuters travelling from Awka to Enugu paid over N6,500 instead of N3,000, and those journeying from Onitsha to Awka were charged N4,000, up from N1,500.
‎
‎Passengers travelling from Upper Iweka to Ihiala paid N3,500 instead of N700, while other short routes that previously cost N200–N500 were now as high as N1,000, sparking quarrels between passengers and drivers.
‎
‎Similar scenes were reported in Nnewi and Ekwulobia, where many commuters remained stranded while a few forced their way onto the limited buses available.
‎
‎At Ekwulobia Motor Park, fares from Igboukwu to Nkpor and Onitsha rose to N4,000 from the previous N800, though the price of Premium Motor Spirit remained stable at about N850 per litre.
‎
# Anambra State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has charged lawmakers to remain focused on people-oriented legislation and effective oversight that will deepen good governance in the state.
Rt. Hon. Udeze in his opening remarks at the first sitting of the year, on Tuesday 13th January 2026, urged the lawmakers
to approach the new legislative session with renewed commitment, unity of purpose, and a strong sense of responsibility to Ndi Anambra.
The Speaker while commending the legislators for maintaining close contact with their constituents during the recess, describing constituency engagements as a vital bridge between government and the grassroots.
Udeze noted that the expectations of the people from their elected representatives remain high and that constant interactions not only help lawmakers understand the real needs of the people but also guide the 8th Assembly in making laws and resolutions that reflect public interest.
The Speaker assured that the 8th Assembly would, in 2026, prioritize bills and motions that promote security, economic growth, infrastructural development, and social welfare, while also strengthening collaboration with the executive arm of government for the overall development of Anambra State.
# To achieve massive traffic decongestion in the Onitsha and Nkwelle axis and drive development in that direction, the 33-Nsugbe dual carriageway has been awarded by the Anambra State government.
The mandate was gave during the first Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) Meeting of the year 2026, which took place at the Light House, Awka.
This will bring the Anambra Beltway and the Solution Government’s policy to dualise all ‘Trunk A’ roads, state and federal, to a fuller completion and further open up the state and ease up Onitsha and its environments.
# Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has commended the efforts of security agencies in the state, attributing the successful mass return of Ndi Anambra during the recent Christmas season to their dedication and vigilance.
Soludo praised the men and women of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for creating an atmosphere of safety that encouraged residents and indigenes to return home in large numbers during the festive period.
He noted that their tireless commitment played a critical role in restoring confidence and ensuring peace across the state.
The Governor made the remarks when he joined worshippers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, during a special Thanksgiving Mass held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
# Anambra State government has established a committee to determine the best way to give Nnewi a further facelift, in line with the ongoing urban regeneration policy of the Soludo administration.
The committee was established during the first Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) Meeting of the year 2026, which took place at the Light House, Awka.
The council also firmed up the plan to give Nnobi a further facelift. The main objective is to revitalise and realign the two strategic urban centres in the state.
# Agulu and Adazi-nukwu communities in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State has reconciles as both towns formally sealed a peace agreement that ended a land dispute which had dragged on for over 20 years.
The peace deal, first concluded on November 4, 2025, was officially celebrated and handed over on January 12, 2026, at the compound of Chief Ozoemena Owoh in Umuowelle Village, marking a turning point in the relationship between the two neighbouring communities.
The agreement was reached during the tenure of the immediate past President General of the Agulu People Union, Chief Oliver Afamefuna, and was formally received by the current President General, Sir Emmanuel Ibeneme, as a symbol of continuity and commitment to peace.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Afamefuna thanked God for allowing the dispute to be resolved during his administration and commended both communities for their wisdom and maturity in choosing dialogue over confrontation. He also praised the President General of Adazi-nukwu Town Development Union, Engr. Cyril Anaeto Maduka, describing him as a partner in peace whose cooperation ensured that the long-standing conflict was resolved without violence.
In his remarks, Engr. Cyril Maduka explained that the agreement provided for a 20-foot setback on both sides of the boundary, a measure designed to prevent future encroachment and ensure lasting peace. He noted that the resolution was not achieved in a single day, but through years of negotiations, repeated site visits and intense discussions, despite efforts by some individuals who sought to benefit from the continuation of the crisis.
The Chairman of the three affected villages Okpu-Ifite, Umubiala and Umuowelle Chief Anthony Anigbogu, said he was grateful that a matter he had overseen which has lasted for over 20 years had finally been concluded with all legal documents signed and boundary monuments fixed. He urged both communities to respect the agreement by avoiding farming, building or destruction of the boundary markers, stressing that human life and brotherhood are far more valuable than land.
# Anambra State government has approved: the release of the sum of N15,956,407,246.25 (fifteen billion, nine hundred and fifty-six million, four hundred and seven thousand, two hundred and forty-six naira, twenty-five kobo only) for the construction and dualisation of the 33-Nsugbe to Aguleri road with a 1-span bridge, awarded to Ferotex Construction Company Ltd.
The approval was done during the first Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) Meeting of the year 2026, which took place at the Light House, Awka.
The council made other approval including: ‘Release of the sum of N56,386,718.69 (fifty-six million, three hundred and eighty-six thousand, seven hundred and eighteen naira, sixty-nine kobo only) for the supply & installation of 1 no. 500 kVA, 33/0.415 kV transformer at Irueyim Community, Nteje, Nteje Oyi LGA, awarded to Kennolly Enterprises.
“The release of the sum of N159,599,775.14 (one hundred and fifty-nine million, five hundred and ninety-nine thousand, seven hundred and seventy-five naira, fourteen kobo) for the supply and installation of solar street lights along the Oye Market Road, Isuofia, awarded to Vigeo-Dome Ltd.
“Release of the sum of N497,033,367.38 (four hundred and ninety-seven million, thirty-three thousand, three hundred and sixty-seven naira, thirty-eight kobo only) for the reclamation/rechannelisation/& remediation of the gully erosion site at Umugama-Ire Village, Abba, Njikoka LGA, awarded to P & K Int’l Ltd.
