Anambra Assembly Approves Soludo’s N100bn Loan Request
The Anambra House of Assembly has approved Governor Charles Soludo’s request to access loan facilities worth N100 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for infrastructure development.
The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the House Committee on Public Accounts during the plenary on Thursday in Awka.
Mr Soludo had, on 5 July, written to the Assembly, seeking approval to secure a N100 billion Global Limit Multiple Term Loan Facility from CBN for the construction and refurbishment of key infrastructure in the state.
Presenting the report, Somto Udeze, representing Ogbaru Constituency ll and Chairman of the committee, said the Commissioners for Finance and Economic Planning and Budget were invited for interaction on the terms of the loan facilities.
Mr Udeze said the discussion was to ascertain the terms of the loan, monthly deductions, duration of the loan, the interest rate, project specifications and the current debt profile of the state.
He said the Committee was satisfied with the answers provided by the commissioners.
“We observed that the N100 billion loan was strictly for the construction of roads, bridges and flyovers across the state.
“It was also observed that the current debt profile of the state at about N107 billion can still accommodate more of such loans considering the expected outcome and impact on the residents of the state.
“However, we recommended the commissioners should provide the list of the proposed project descriptions and expected cost of each project for ease of oversight function subsequently; and that was done
“That the loan should be secured at a singledigit interest rate and be used for feasible infrastructure development alone.
“We also recommend the need for increased internally generated revenue to minimise borrowing to fund infrastructure development in the state,” he said.