Amidst numerous challenges that besieged the Hope Uzodimma led government right from inception, landmark developmental achievements have been recorded in the various sectors ranging from Standard Road Network Construction, Improved Health Care Services, Redefined Civil Service Reform and Laudable Agricultural Sector Reform.
It’s worthy to recall that from Day 1 of Hope Uzodimma led Administration, Covid-19, End SARS protest as well as the recent PDP inflicted insecurity has ravaged the state, and these could mislead focus and lead to adverse governance. But irrespective of all, 3Rs Government has remained undeterred and pretty heads up on its Transformational Developmental Efforts.
Reading from Wednesday’s, THE ONION NEWSPAPER VOL. 1 No 65, It’s amazing to think that a PDP stalwart, Hon.Bede Ekeh (Member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala fed constituency) could query these laudable achievements even when it was obvious to all that his master Emeka Ihedioha through his kangaroo importation of earth equipment gluttonously emptied the Local Government allocations.
To think again that Emeka Ihedioha led transactional government also used the over bloated (family and friends) LGA contracts through the construction of laughable stadia and secretariats to syphon EGO NDI IMO.
The Emeka Ihedioha dubious IMSUBEB contracts, where bracingly 3.5million Naira was returned to an “UNKNOWN GUN MAN”, for each contract worth 16m naira.
A brief account of the Emeka Ihedioha SHORT TIME led administration could be summarized as below:
- A seven months of dubiously taking back mobilization money paid to road contractors.
- A Seven months of acquiring & construction of personal buildings amounting to billions of naira of Imo peoples’ money
- Seven months of incurring over N1bn debt on Imo Account at Protea Hotels.
- Seven months of after addressing Pensioners convincing them about Imo empty treasury, imports an exotic Mercedes Benz bus of over N200m worth for the leisure cruise of UNKNOWN GUNMAN ruler.
- Oh when I remember the UNKNOWN GUNMAN seven months in Imo, tears roll down my eyes.
Hope Uzodimma is here to bring good governance through transformational efforts using defined and well calculated sustainable initiatives.
I will critically itemize these achievements for records;
1) ROAD CONSTRUCTION/INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT:
In the area of infrastructural projects Gov. Uzodimma has achieved a lot within a short period of time. There is no doubt that prior to Uzodimma’s assumption of office; the roads in the state were in deplorable condition.
Uzodimma is the only governor since the creation of Imo state that has continued with a project of a previous administration. He met contractors that were contracted by Emeka Ihedioha on various roads in Imo, but as a Governor who is committed to serve his people he asked them to continue.
Despite the ravaging Covid-19 and Distractions from attention seekers Uzodimma has completed many roads in Imo such as: Douglas Rd, Port harcourt Rd, Dick Tiger Rd, Lake Nwaebere, Relief Market Rd, Owerri Okigwe Rd, Owerri Orlu Rd, Emmanuel College Aba Rd, Mcc Chukwuma Nwoha Rd, Naze/Nekede/Ihiagwa Obinze Rd, Imsu Market Rd Etc.
2) HEALTH SECTOR:
Following the emergence of dreaded Covid-19, 3Rs government swung into action to prevent the disease from ravaging the citizens.
A 9 - man Committee on Prevention of Coronavirus disease in Imo State was constituted, headed by an Erudite Professor of Pharmacology, Maurice Iwu. In addition to this, similar committees were set up at the local government areas and ward levels with 28 state-of-the-art ambulances provided to fortify the state in readiness for any emergency.
Government also provided six well-equipped isolation centres at Okigwe General Hospital, Aboh Mbaise General Hospital, Orlu General Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Owerri, General Hospital Umuguma and the Ultra-Modern Well-being Centre, Owerri; as well as an operational Test and Treatment Centre for Corona virus in Owerri metropolis, with a molecular laboratory to test all viruses, including COVID-19 and Ebola etc.
As far as Covid-19 is concerned, the state government did not leave any stone unturned. In its determination to ensure a Covid-19 free Imo, the ever ready government further embarked on fumigation of all nooks and crannies of the state.
Governor Uzodimma also recognized the hardship people of the state were going through. To cushion the effects of the lockdown in the state due to the pandemic, Uzodimma's government through various local council areas, began distribution of food items to palliate the hardship and put smiles on the faces of Imolites.
The Governor has been very proactive in improving the health facilities in the state also using the Mobile Clinic Initiative and the revitalization of IMSUTH among others.
3).SECURITY:
Gov Uzodimma upon assumption of office as the Governor considered it wise to launch a state security outfit known as "Operation Search and Flush". The formulation of this joint security outfit has defeated some security lapses earlier confronting the state. Those who are conversant with Douglas area robbery will attest that indeed the outfit has been proactive and Douglas by Mbaise Rd has become so peaceful without any further reports of robbery.
Even with the recent PDP inflicted unknown gunmen Era, he stood his ground and fought to finish restoring the state to its calm nature. A feat worthy to reckon!
The Governor's proactive actions in tackling security issues round the state has placed him on the map as one the states in Nigeria with zero crime. There have been no more reports of Kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery. The Governor also ensured a peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers in the state.
4) TRANSPORTATION :
In Uzodimma's visionary leadership skills, all sectors that needs government's attention are been properly attended to. The transport sector being key sector in the state has also received the attention of the Governor, as various means of transportation in the state are enhanced.
Recovery being part of His government's mantra! To this effect, vehicles belonging to the Imo Transportation company that were stolen and converted to individual property have been fully recovered. The synergy between the government and the state’s branch of National union of Road transport workers has tremendously improved transportation facilities and has reduced cost of transportation in and around the state.
The Sam Mbakwe Airport is also been drastically repositioned and the Governor is making moves for the Airport to be approved by federal Airport Authority of Nigeria as an international cargo Airport and when this is achieved it will go a long way to increase the IGR of the state.
5) EDUCATION:
That Education standard in Imo was reduced to nothing by previous government in the name of free Education is undeniable.
Uzodimma during his inaugural speech on 15th January 2020 assured Imolites of an improved Education and learning system in the State under his watch and this is a sure promise made and fulfilled.
Just few days ago students in the State benefited from the shared prosperity welfare package which provided them exercise Books and other IEC materials.
In Gov Uzodimma's Bid to enhance education at the tertiary level, he repositioned the Imo State University (IMSU) for Academic excellence on 16th of May 2020 through the constitution of an efficient and effective board after receiving a report of recommendation from the IMSU visitation panel that was led by prof Chinedu Nebo. He identified the institution’s challenges to include falsified age claim, lack of ICT-compliant personnel, digitization of the institution and succession planning based on academic excellence.
Others are mismanagement of the Bursary Department, unchecked loss in Internally Generated Revenue, lack of knowledge of the students’ population and over-bloated salaries of staff.
6) ELECTRICITY:
Gov Uzodimma in this sector has met with stakeholders of Enugu Electricity Distribution center to ensure that every nook and cranny of the state enjoys uninterrupted power supply.
And his efforts are yielding positive results
Some communities in the rural areas that were disconnected over the years have all been connected through the rural electrification development initiative.
7) ECONOMY:
Gov Uzodinma upon assumption of Office disclosed his plans to establish a State Economic Development and Rehabilitation Council (SEDARC) in Imo, in order to reinvigorate the economy.
Uzodinma said among other things that SEDARC will address the issue of abandoned roads, collapsing bridges Otammiri water scheme and others.
The government of shared prosperity has adopted all holistic approach towards generating revenue; construction of roads, water supply and sanitation, and Imo is ranking today as one of the states in Nigeria with fastest growing Economy.
8).PUBLIC UTILITIES :
As a responsive government that has the interest of the citizenry, Uzodimma led administration signed MoU with United States Agency for International Developments (USAID), World bank, DFID and AfDB for development at different sectors especially Water and Sanitation. He won award as a development friendly Governor within his first year in Office.
The government has also launched street lights in various roads within the owerri metropolis and this has added beauty to the city of Owerri especially at night.
9) EMPOWERMENT :
This government of shared prosperity has achieved tremendously through youth, women and Artisans empowerment.
The government through the ministry of Youth Affairs, and skill acquisition and Entrepreneurship has trained and graduated over 500,000 indigenes of the state women and Youths on various skills.
Uzodimma Goverment earmarked 6billion Naira to train and empower another set of 500,000 Youths on skill and trade. The achievement of the Gov Uzodimma in this sector are too numerous to mention.
10) AGRICULTURE :
Just like every other sector, the government of Sen Hope Uzodimma has not left any Stone unturned in the Agricultural sector. Having known that Agriculture is the food chain of the Nation the Governor has on several occasions distributed some welfare packages such as fertilizers to farmers across the 305 wards of the State.
Government launched a livestock empowerment programme through National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).All these and more were achieved within eleven months in Office. These track records Uzodimma as the best performing Governor since the creation of Imo.
Please note that the above comparism of achievements was attained within just the first 11months in Office.
In conclusion, I had like to advise Hon Bede Eke to focus more on delivery of service to his constituents. While I thank him for the distribution of cassava stems in June; although cultivation period was some months gone. But let his efforts be felt more on scholarships, equipping of health centres, real empowerment like distribution of cars & encouraging setting up of Small Scale Industries, transformers distribution, just to mention a few areas. Some of his first term colleagues have advanced to 5th phase empowerment of their constituents.
Verbosity is entertaining but can never be wisdom nor strength.
Signed
Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu (KSM)
Publisher: Don Martyn L.O Nwosu
Ikeduru APC Media Hub
08032950897
Ikeduruapcmediahub@gmail.com
 17th JUNE 2021){kind=link}
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