The Anambra State Government has approved an annual insurance premium of ₦87,168,413 for the newly completed Government House, known as the Light House in Awka, stirring mixed reactions from residents already grappling with economic hardships.
The approval was announced in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, following the 23rd Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) meeting held on November 17, 2025, and presided over by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
According to the statement, the insurance agreement will run for five years as a long-term policy aimed at protecting the multibillion-naira infrastructure recently unveiled as part of the state government’s modernization drive.
The Light House, which serves as the new seat of government, was conceived as a symbol of administrative efficiency and a replacement for the aging Government House structures built decades ago.
However, the cost of the project and the recurring expenditures tied to its maintenance have remained a subject of public debate, with some citizens questioning government spending priorities during a period marked by unemployment, rising inflation, and pressure on social services.
The council meeting also touched on other issues, including preparations for Christmas festivities, a period during which the state typically witnesses increased human and vehicular movement.
Officials say plans are underway to enhance security, sanitation, and entertainment across major urban centres.
Another highlight of the meeting was the formal dismissal of widespread rumours alleging the death of former governor Willie Obiano.
Dr. Mefor described the rumours as malicious and irresponsible, urging residents to refrain from spreading unverified information.
The council also congratulated Professor Bond Anyaehie on his appointment as the new Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, a development expected to shape the institution’s academic direction in the coming years.
In addition to the insurance approval, several infrastructural projects received the green light.
These include the modification and completion of long-abandoned court buildings within the Court of Appeal Complex, Awka.
The council also approved the renovation of associated structures around the complex to enhance the state’s judicial environment.
Road rehabilitation was similarly prioritized, with plans to fix failed portions of Court Road and Obunagu Road within the Awka metropolis.
The government said the repairs form part of its urban renewal initiative aimed at easing mobility and supporting commercial activity.
The council further approved the supply and installation of modern fire-fighting equipment at the College of Nursing Sciences, Umueze-Isuofia in Aguata LGA, a move targeted at enhancing safety standards in educational institutions.
While government officials describe the approvals as necessary for development, critics argue that spending ₦87 million annually on insurance for a government building reflects a misalignment of priorities.
They contend that more urgent issues such as healthcare, poverty alleviation, and school funding deserve stronger attention, especially as citizens brace for an economically difficult end of year.