By Nwamkpa Modestus (KSM)
One thing that cannot be taken away from Governor Hope Uzodimma is his penchant to undertake very ambitious projects since he became Governor. Another thing you must admit or freely give to him is the fact that he does not believe in starting a project and abandoning it as was the case in the past. Perhaps again, another glaring fact about his style of governance is that he does his NEEDS assessment before starting a project, being reason why he ensures that the monies for every of his projects are ready before he starts them.
I will give you instances. When he came on board in 2020, Imo state was literally in a state of Coma gasping for Air to survive. There were no motorable roads across the state. Workers’ salaries were not paid and when it was paid, it was paid in percentage ratio. State corruption was at its peak with officials of the state emasculation Imo lands with reckless abandoned. There was a total decadence as governance had collapsed. That was the state of a Still-birth Child that Governor Uzodimma was handed over, a child that was almost dead.
Courageously, he quickly conducted NEEDS assessment of the projects most dear to Imo people among the avalanche of other things that needed to be done. He started projects like the Balloon Technology that was a novel. The need for this project became so expedient in view of the ravaging flood bedeviling residents of MCC/Chukwuma Nwoha axis. Before that time, some of the residents of the area had packed out of their houses as a result of serious flooding. Today, many of those lost lands and properties have been recovered after the construction of the Balloon Technology.
Again, the Governor immediately began the construction and dualization of two major federal roads- Owerri to Orlu and Okigwe to Owerri roads. These were projects that the previous government avoided because of their huge financial involvement and bad terrain. Uzodimma rolled his sleeves and undertook those two roads and competed them on record time with street lights from end to end. The roads are testimonies of audacity of Hope’s government.
Again, he considered the renovation of Imo state House of Assembly complex as a priority. He started it and completed it with dispatch to the point that the complex is today a signpost showcasing the work of a purposeful leader.
He also undertook the construction of Owerri to Mbaise road that is currently ongoing with speed of a lightening. The construction of that federal road is a big relief to motorists and residents of Egwu, Emekuku, Mbaise, Obowo and Umuahia respectfully. Even the gods of that area are clapping for the Governor.
It is however on record that Governor Uzodimma established one Polytechnic, one college of Agriculture, facilitated the elevation of Federal University of Technology (FUTO) to a federal Teaching Hospital and equally attracted the elevation of Alvan Ikoku colleague of Education to a a federal university status. These are another ambitious project.
The Governor was so courageous and foresighted to secure the approval of federal government to dredge Orashi River and build the first sea port in the South East for which the Hydrological survey and other axillary preliminary works have been done. No Governor living or dead in South East has achieved this. This is another audacity of Hope in display.
Today, he is fully and totally remodeling and reconstructing Concorde Hotel with everything new in that hotel. The Governor is building almost a brand new Concorde Hotel as everything except the carcass of the building including spoons at the hotel will be changed. That indeed is another wonderful and ambitious project.
You may also recall that upon assumption of office, he quickly undertook the automation of the salary and pension payment for Imo workers and Pensioners with a well measured determination to address once and for all, the perennial payment of salary and pension confusion that existed in Imo for decades which hung on the neck of all previous government for years. Today, that cankerworm has been defeated as Imo workers and Pensioners now receive their pay with ease and without having to sleep at the banking halls and wait with a baited breath every month.
Look at what the Governor is doing with Orashi Electricity Project. This project, when it takes off will be the icing on the cake. That is one project that will upturn the fortune of the state for good and ensure economic boom of Imo state. What an ambitious project! In all of these projects, none can be described as white Elephant project. All of them are either completed or substantial work has been done or is on-going in all of them.
One thing about Governor Uzodimma is that he is developing the three zones of Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri at the same time and with the same speed.
Truthfully Yours, Nwamkpa Modestus is my name and I approve of this piece.
