By DEMOLA ABIMBOYE
As Hope Uzodimma and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, stood on the rostrum before the enthusiastic crowd on Wednesday October 11, 2023 for the flag off of the second term of the party’s candidate as governor of Imo State, everyone knew that it was a done deal, given his level of achievements in the past four years.
None of the party leaders hinged his hope on the usual power of incumbency but on the fact that the incumbent Governor Uzodimma has overwhelmed his opponents with sterling performance.
A review of the governor’s achievements between 2020 and 2022 has shown that Uzodimma’s records were “unrivalled in the areas of infrastructure development, recovery of illegally acquired property in Imo State, restoration of pipe borne water, renovation and equipping of abandoned 305 Primary Healthcare Centres in the 305 electoral wards of Imo state, etc.”
When he mounted the saddle in 2020, Senator Uzodinma realised that an urgent and extensive infrastructural revolution was needed if he must achieve his vision of a modern and prosperous Imo State. But he had a big challenge of finding the money to execute the plan.
Uzodinma was conscious of the fact that finding the resources to achieve his laudable vision at a time of dwindling allocation to the states from the Federation Account, FAC, was an uphill task. He ingeniously found a way out. He automated the revenue generation process and ensured strict adherence to the Treasury Single Account, TSA. In no time, he had raised the monthly Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of his state to N5 billion.
He followed this up with the allocation of about 75% of the annual budget to capital expenditure.
For effective performance, the new administration grouped road infrastructural revolution into three: urban/city renewal roads, economically important roads and the Inter-City roads. He undertook the audacious task of simultaneously renovating and constructing a total of over 90 roads. Some of these have now been completed while the other are on various degree of completion.
Instructively, no part of the state was left out in the massive development effort.
A bird’s eye view of Hope Uzodimma’s spectacular performance sector by sector:
ROADS:
The governor has reconstructed and renovated the following roads:
1. Oparanozie Street
2. Amaigbo Street
3. Edede Street.
4. Ring roads in Aladinma Housing Estate.
5. Lake Nwaebere Street,
6. Olokoro Street,
7. Umuahia Street
8. Okeikpe Street
9. Arugo Street
10. Egbema Street
11. Ngwa Street.
12. Douglas Road.
13. Ring Road behind Concorde Hotel.
14. JP Ajaelu Street
15. Thomas Moore Street
16. Gozie Nwachukwu Street
17. Archdeacon Dennis Road, Aladinma
18. Assumpta / Ibari Ogwa / Portharcourt road.
19. Federal Secretariat Road (now Muhammadu Buhari Drive)
20. Dick Tiger Road
21. Dick Tiger Street
22. Akachi Road (now Evan Enwerem Way). (cause)
23. Relief Market road
24. Imo University Teaching Hospital Road, Orlu
25. Construction/Rehabilitation of Egbeada Bypass Road.
26. Maintenance of failed section on Owerri – Mbaise – Obowo road.
27. Chukwuma Nwoha road
28. Naze – Nekede – Ihiagwa – Obinze – Road
29. Okigwe Roundabout – St. Mary’s Church, Okigwe (Okpala road)
30. Stadium Road, Okigwe
31. Junction improvement works at Imo State University Roundabout
32. Junction improvement works at Warehouse
33. Junction improvement works at Fire service
34. Junction improvement works at Naze roundabout
Other roads Governor Uzodimma constructed and rehabilitated are:
1. Ahiara Junction-Okpala Junction – 22.7 km
2. Aba Branch – Ahiara Junction -10.6km
3. Nkume – Umuowa – Orlu Road – 6.9 Km
4. Mgbidi – Oguta (Oguta Lakje) Road – 11.7 Km
5. Imo State University Teaching Hospital Road – 2.05 Km
6. Naze (Poly Junction) – Nekede – Ihiagwa – Obinze Road – 17.1 Km (14.1 + 1.5 Km) Dual Carriage Way
7. Concorde Road – Jacob Zuma Road – Concorde Road with Spur To Ph. [Road 6.8 Km (3.4 Km Dual)
8. Imo State University Road – Bishop’s Court Road – 2km (991.5m Dual)
9. Okigwe Roundabout – St Mary’s Church Okigwe (Okpala Road) – 5 Km (2.5 Km Dual Carriage
10. Ogwohoroanya – Avutu – Umunachi (Roundabout) Road – 7.85 Km
11. Douglas –Naze Junction – 10.2 Km (5.1 Km)
12. Control Post (ASSUMPTA) – Ibari Ogwa (Port Harcourt) Road – 3.6 Km (Dual Carriage)
13. Assumpta – Umuguma Junction (World Bank) Road – 7.78 Km (Dual Carriage)
14. Junction (World Bank) Road – 7.78 Km (Dual Carriage)
15. Maintenance of Failed Section of Owerri – Nwaorieubi – Njaba – Orlu Road – (32 Km)
16. Maintenance of Failed Section of Owerri – Amaraku – Anara – Oniimo – Umunna – Okigwe Road – (51 Km)
17. Achingali – Onicha – Udo Na Obizi Road – (14km)
18. Warehouse Junction – Umezuruike Hospital – Emmanuel College Roundabout with Edede/ Royce Road Junction and Emmanuel College Layout Slip Roads – (7.2km)
19. West End – Old Nekede Road – Zoo – Ihiagwa – 7.5km
20. Onistha – Orlu Road (Egbeada Bypass)
21. Both End of Airport Road, Owerri. Both End Totaling – 5 Km
22. Ulakwo – Umuaro Nguru –Umuneke Road – (9.4 Km)
23. Ohii Junction – Orogwe Road.
24. Musa Yar’adua Drive Extension to Dream Land Hotel Road -1.3km-
25. MCC to Toronto junction ROAD – 1.3KM
26. Internal Roads in Aladinma Estate. Lake Nwaebere Str, Olokoro Str. Umuahia Str, Okeikpe Str, Arugo Street Olokoro Str, Egbema Str, And Ngwa Street.
27. Mbonu-Ejike Street Ikenegbu Layout – 1.26km
28. Okporo –Omuma Road
29. Omuma –Eleh Road
30. Mgbidi – Orlu Road
31. Dele Udo Road
32. IMSU Junction Market Road – 1.06km
33. Thomas Moore/ Gozie Nwachukwu/ Jp Ajaelu Street – 1.450km
34. Naze – Allied Market Egbu Road – 4.2km
35. Dreamland Hotel Roundabout – First Bank – General Hospital Road with Spur to Portharcourt Road – (4.9km Dual)
36. Ihechiuwa Street and Adjoining Roads – 1.350km
37. Awomama – Okwudor Road – 12km
38. Owerri – Orlu Road – 36km
39. Owerri – Okigwe Road – 56km
40. Owerri Junction Improvement Works & Urban Renewal Project
41. Abiriba /Jest Oguzie Street – 1.5km
42. Okenze Street by Relief Market – 280m
43. Golden Child by Fish Island Road – 280m
44. Elezieanya Street – 275m
45. Christiana Hospital Road Egbu and Spur to Pascal Dozie Drive – 2.25km
46. Mgbidi College Road – 2.0km
47. Jacob’s Wine Road Mgbidi – 1.8km
48. Irete-Ohii Egbeada Int Market – 3.3km
Currently, scores of roads are undergoing extensive repairs and maintenance by the administration.
Chantel Adanna Chinyere, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, (Networking) to Governor Uzodimma, said the most audacious of the infrastructural projects of Governor Uzodinma’s administration can be said to be the construction of the 43 KM long Owerri – Orlu (43 KM) and the 66 Km long Owerri – Okigwe dual carriageways. “The socioeconomic impact of these roads, which connect the three main senatorial zones in the state, and which cut through over 10 Local Government Areas of the state, cannot be overestimated. It is worthy of note that previous administrations had shied away from the reconstruction of these roads for decades because of the excuse that they are “federal roads,” she said.
In acknowledging the quality of these roads, Governor Uzodinma said: “The roads will outlive many administrations – just as the ones built by our beloved Dee Sam Mbakwe; and the aim is to strengthen the state’s economy by boosting commerce, industry and tourism.”
Equally important was the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the Imo State House of Assembly Complex. Uzodimma painstakingly rebuilt and equipped to 21st century standard the dilapidated and abandoned complex which was built by the late Chief Sam Mbakwe but was left to deteriorate by previous administrations, thus forcing lawmakers to have their sittings outside the Chambers.
As part of the urban renewal programme, Governor Uzodinma embarked on the revitalization of the Otanmiri water works to ensure that potable water supply was restored to homes in the capital city of Owerri.
He has constructed and renovated various buildings in the state including the Government House, State Secretariat and Executive Council Chambers. Others are the Governor’s Wife Office, the Armoury and Ancillary Buildings at Government House, Deputy Governor’s Lodge, and a new official residence for the Commissioner of Police.
The administration has also completed plans for a mass housing programme to provide affordable shelter for citizens of Imo State under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The housing estates will be sited in the three senatorial zones of Okigwe, Owerri and Orlu. Lands have already been acquired and the necessary designs have been concluded for the project.
The administration has also designed an estate for Imo workers under a mortgage arrangement. The idea is to help the workers own their own homes.
In the health sector, the administration has undertaken an ambitious programme of renovation and equipping of 305 Primary Health Care Facilities across the 305 electoral wards of the State. These are being supported by ambulances and mobile clinics.
In sports, he hasreconstructed and equipped Dan Anyiam stadium while he is working tirelessly in collaboration with NALDA to reconstruct and revive the dilapidated Acharaubo Farm in Owerri North. He has also recorded numerous numbers of trained agriculturist with a view to creating jobs and wealth for the good people of Imo state.
LAND ADMINISTRATION
Based on the recommendations of a Judicial Commission of inquiry, Governor Uzodinma embarked on the courageous task of revoking all properties which were unjustly appropriated by members of previous administrations and returned them to their rightful owners. A total of 200 of such properties were thus recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
The judicial commission also recommended the restoration of the masterplan of the capital city. Following from this, the administration also sealed the Royal Palm Estate, which was built on a green verge with tax payers’ money.
The Shell Camp Quarters containing almost 50 plots of land which were illegally seized from the rightful owners and sold or given to cronies have also been recovered and returned to the rightful owners.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
Conscious of the importance of reliable and sustainable electricity to support the emerging economy in the state, Governor Uzodimma created the Ministry of Power and Rural Electrification. And he put in charge a seasoned administrator who had handled rural development under former Governor Ikedi Ohakim.
The new ministry has specific a mandate to draw up a power policy that would regulate the state electricity market for guaranteed efficiency and effectiveness.
The Governor equally gave the ministry the challenge of exploring alternative power generation sources to ensure that in the electricity supply chain, the state would have enough to supply the existing but underserved areas of the state, create access to communities that are unserved within the existing grid network and take all necessary steps to promote an electricity market that would deliver improved power generation, seamless transmission, effective distribution with an eye on price efficiency.
Within a short period, Imo State is expected to create an attractive electricity market that would be investor and user friendly.
A lot is in the works to ensure that electricity supply, which currently is very epileptic in the state, would be addressed to complement all the other sectoral infrastructure update by the state.
Against these background of outstanding achievements, many analysts of Imo State politics believe that the current contest has nothing to do with incumbency.
Kezie Ogaziechi, Honourable Commissioner for Power and Rural Electrification, told this paper that Governor Uzodimma’s records speak eloquently of him and that his opponents are dry of fresh ideas to challenge the policies and programmes of an incumbent. His words:
“The competitors are bereft of fresh and believable ideas to market in order to influence the electorate and win acceptance; they lack what it takes to stand up to an incumbent.
“The opponents are not equipped or prepared to face the challenges of the office he or she aspires to besides grandstanding for the optics; they are in it for profile enhancement or positioning self for political bargaining chip.”
“The competitors are in it to gamble in the belief that the electorate can easily be deceived or hood winked. Their handlers are aware that the only material available to burnish their image is straw clutching.”
Ogaziechi added that given the opponents’ poor tools of engagement, they have resorted to blackmail, profiling, labelling, deceit and rumour mongering all in a bid to create social unrest and kite flying. “Such tactics can’t dethrone a winner like the current governor,” he said
He therefore enjoined the Imo electorate to “Shine their eyes as they vote on November 11, 2023 and return Hope Uzodimma to power so that he can continue the good work he started in 2020.”
As Imolites prepare for the polls, President Bola Tinubu has noted that Hope Uzodimma’s continuity in office was the best option for the people of the state.
He said: “Gov. Hope Uzodimma has done exceedingly well in terms of infrastructure development and in terms of value addition to Imo.
“From the past N3 billion to N16 billion, he increased the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to over N30 billion per annum. He has built some state-of-the-art roads here in Imo as well as several developmental strides.
“The good people of Imo, I have seen your faces. I have seen the faces of hope, I have seen the faces of resilience and determination. We cannot afford to be complacent on November 11.”
Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice President Kashim Shettima at the flag off of campaign, hailed the infrastructure development embarked upon by the Governor Uzodimma. He called on the people of Imo to rally round Uzodimma’s and re-elect him for another term of four years for him to complete his noble objectives for the people of the state.
“I want to assure you that the President is solidly, 1,000 per cent, behind Gov. Uzodimma. He holds him in the highest esteem.”
Tinubu emphasised that for the purpose of consolidation and continuity, it was important for the people of Imo to rally around Uzodimma and get him re-elected for a second term.
Corroborating the president’s assertions, Uzodimma said that the APC remained the party to beat, adding that he has surpassed the people’s expectations of him.
He promised to do more than he did in his first term in office, stressing that transparency, equity and fairness will be utmost in his administration.
Also, the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, called on the people of the state to remain with the party at the centre as the pedigree of the Imo governor had continued to be distinct.
Dignitaries who graced the event included the Governors of Kwara, Benue, Ogun, Yobe, Cross River, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Sokoto and Ekiti States, among others.
Also in attendance were APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Ali Bukar-Dalori; Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu; Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Osita Izunazo and Senator Rochas Okorocha.