By Nwajiobi Ijeoma 9news Nigeria, Nnewi
The Anambra State Government has requested N70 billion from the Federal Government’s Stabilisation Fund to tackle insecurity, erosion, and other infrastructure challenges that threaten economic activities and public services across the state.
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission received the request during a technical session at its headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the commission’s Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Maryam Yusuf, the proposed intervention would support security operations, environmental protection, healthcare, education and other development priorities.
“The Indices and Disbursement Committee of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission has received Anambra State’s presentation on the request for N70bn from the Stabilisation Fund to finance its priority projects and other proposed investments across critical sectors of the state’s economy,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Chiamaka Nnake, who led the presentation, “said the proposed assistance would complement existing government investments, sustain essential public services, protect livelihoods, improve investor confidence and promote a more diversified and resilient economy.”
Nnake identified insecurity, erosion, flooding, inflation and the rising cost of public services as major pressures on the state’s finances.
She explained that sit-at-home orders and restrictions on movement had disrupted commercial activities, reduced government revenue and weakened investor confidence, particularly in major economic centres such as Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.
The SSG disclosed that the state had introduced a Homeland Security Law, established a security outfit and strengthened collaboration through a joint task force.
She said additional funding would support the procurement of operational vehicles, surveillance and communication equipment, personnel training and improved coordination among security agencies.
On environmental challenges, Nnake disclosed that Anambra had more than 1,000 erosion sites, affecting 146 communities to varying degrees.
She estimated that addressing the identified critical erosion sites would require approximately N170bn, more than twice the amount being requested from the Stabilisation Fund.
The state government, she explained, was already undertaking erosion-control projects, flood management, road rehabilitation, land reclamation, waterway clearance and tree planting, alongside restrictions on sand mining in vulnerable areas.
Nnake also presented the state’s economic profile, putting its estimated population at 8.9 million across 21 local government areas and 179 communities.
She reported a gross domestic product of approximately $12.7bn and a projected 2026 budget of N766bn.
According to her, Anambra’s internally generated revenue had increased from about N2.2bn to N7.2bn, although the statement did not specify the periods covered by the figures.
On social services, she said the state’s free antenatal care and delivery programme had supported more than 206,000 deliveries, including 642 Caesarean sections, without charges to beneficiaries.
She added that the government had recruited 8,415 teachers and introduced free education from nursery school to Senior Secondary School Three.
However, she said the programmes had increased demand for healthcare workers, medicines, medical equipment, classrooms and learning materials.
Nnake further identified agriculture, solid minerals and tourism as areas requiring investment to expand economic opportunities.
She disclosed that the state had distributed more than 2.3 million coconut and oil-palm seedlings, while seeking support for processing facilities, irrigation, storage, cold-chain infrastructure and improved market access.
She also highlighted deposits of kaolin, bentonite, lignite, silica sand, gypsum and laterite, alongside petroleum-related opportunities, as potential sources of investment.
For tourism, she identified Agulu Lake and other attractions requiring better access roads and visitor facilities.
Responding, the Chairman of RMAFC’s Indices and Disbursement Committee, Prof. Olusegun Adekunle Wright, said the request would undergo further scrutiny before any recommendation could be made.
Wright, who represents Lagos State on the commission, explained that the Stabilisation Fund was intended to provide financial assistance in deserving circumstances, subject to established guidelines, resource availability and the appropriate approval processes.
He said the committee would examine the state’s financial records, project costs, feasibility, implementation requirements and expected socioeconomic benefits.
The committee chairman stressed that the technical presentation did not amount to approval of the N70bn request.
He explained that the commission’s procedures required states seeking assistance to make formal presentations before officials conducted on-the-spot assessments of proposed projects.
Wright added that the outcome of the review could be forwarded to the commission’s plenary for further consideration, subject to verification and compliance with the relevant procedures.
In his closing remarks, the RMAFC commissioner representing Anambra State, Dr Enefe Ekene, thanked the committee for its observations and said the feedback would help the state delegation strengthen its submission ahead of the proposed assessment visit.
