After N2.4bn Fun City, Soludo Announces New Awka Park Construction

…Earmarks N2.8bn For Youth Empowerment

Barely months after commencing construction of the N2.4bn Solution Fun City, the Anambra State Government has announced plans to initiate a new recreation project called the Awka City Park.

The government announced this during its 15th Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, according to the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor.

The government said that the new park is expected to provide “environmental, aesthetic, recreational, social, health, and economic benefits” to the residents of the capital city.

However, the government did not disclose the cost, design details or the prospective location of the Awka City Park.

The Solution Fun City, launched at Park B in Awka Township Stadium, was approved in 2023 with a budget broken down by the various segments of the park.

While a total of N1.91bn was budgeted for outdoor amusement and water park installations by Parkvega Waterpark Ltd, N520 million was allocated for indoor arcade games and bowling setup by JCN & Bros Commercial Enterprises Ltd.

The Council noted that “work on the Awka City Park will begin without delay”, and the development is a part of ongoing urban renewal efforts by the administration.

Also at the meeting, the government approved N2.83bn for the next phase of the ‘1Youth, 2Skills scheme’, aimed at empowering the youths.

According to the Council, the funding would cover the empowerment of Cohort 2, graduation and mentorship support, cooperative start-ups, and business financing.

“Funds for the empowerment of Cohort 2 were approved, as they are ready for commissioning,” the release said.

The administration also highlighted the success of Cohort 1, where 7,163 out of 11,000 trainees excelled in 65 skill areas.

An additional 235 apprentices from local enterprise development hubs also graduated, where over 1,000 millionaires emerged from the first batch of beneficiaries.

A total of N2.58bn was approved for business financing, while N141.9m, according to the government would support cooperatives.

The sum of N73.2m was also approved for graduation, certification while N31m for mentorship.

The government further authorised a N500,000 consolation fund for a deceased beneficiary’s family.

“The Council reaffirmed the state’s contractor payment system, ensuring that no contractor is owed. This policy has been in place since the inception of the Soludo Government over three years ago,” the statement said.