Anambra Govt Approves Grievance Redress Reforms, Students’ Hostels, Small Claims Court Awareness
By Lilian Ezejiegu
The Anambra State Government has approved a series of policy reforms aimed at strengthening public service delivery, expanding access to justice and addressing the accommodation needs of students in tertiary institutions across the state.
The decisions were reached at the fifth meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council held on July 6 at the Light House, Awka, and were made public by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor.
Speaking with journalists in Awka, Dr. Mefor said the Soludo administration has further strengthened its grievance redress mechanism to ensure that complaints from residents are acknowledged and addressed within 24 to 48 hours.
He urged Ndi Anambra to report cases of poor service delivery, governance concerns and other genuine grievances, assuring them that the government remains committed to responding promptly and transparently.
In a move to tackle the growing shortage of students’ accommodation, the Executive Council also approved a Build, Operate and Transfer partnership with private investors. Under the arrangement, the state government will provide land, while developers will finance, build and manage hostels for an agreed period before transferring ownership to the government.
Dr. Mefor explained that the initiative is expected to improve students’ welfare, enhance security around campuses and provide a more conducive learning environment.
The Executive Council also resolved to intensify public awareness of the Small Claims Court following concerns that many residents are yet to take advantage of the justice system established to handle minor financial disputes.
According to the commissioner, the Small Claims Court offers a fast, simple and affordable avenue for resolving monetary disputes without the need for legal representation, making justice more accessible, particularly for low income earners and small business owners.
He reaffirmed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to people centred governance, noting that the administration will continue to implement policies that improve the quality of life of residents, expand access to essential services and build public confidence in government institutions.
The latest policy decisions are expected to boost citizens’ engagement with government, improve access to justice and ease accommodation challenges facing students, reinforcing the state’s drive towards efficient governance and inclusive development.
