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Governor Uzodimma and Imo State Development Strides: Looking back from 2020 to 2023.
….By Hon Engr(Chief) Julius O. Dike
Development that imparts on the people is anchored on projection of aggregate resolutions that are targeted at life enhancements and tidings that measure sustainability in human growth and value. And in that sense developmental goals become objectives that come with maximum attachment of resolve set by organizations and persons and are directed at establishing or improving on desired and specified undertakings. They address areas of weakness and are articulated to improve competences that support human welfare and economic growth. In truth development goals are sustained by tangible projections in governance and leadership that are weighed on the scale of deliverance.
Four years ago, on Wednesday, 15th January, 2020, providence handed over the wraps of leadership and governance packaged for Imo State to His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma as the 7th democratically elected governor of the state. The number 7, to a good extent, carries the divine appeasement of fullness and consent. He came with assertion, continual and conscientious pursuit of leadership dividends and developmental goals for the people of Imo State in all facets of governance and with firmness in faith and total commitment.
In the last four years Imo State has moved away from standing in a pool of messy leadership quagmire to refreshing and emanating rejuvenation walkway, and has continued to walk through the path of inclusiveness brought about by the gigs in the mantra of the 3R of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery of the administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma. This is the signpost that leads into the administration’s heartbeat.
This piece is a brief look-in at the long journey of achievements of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma in the last four years that gained favour with the people of Imo State.
The Covid-19 scourge that stretched into 2020 infected the world with global frustration; it created the first task the administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma faced. The government’s initiative programme and response mandate presented a survival vent that largely kept Imo State away from the scourge.
The government’s crucial agenda on security and protection of lives and properties took early pragmatic consideration in bringing together all the synergies of attention and workings that relied on productive and effective security architecture. The earlier confrontations and escalations of insecurity that afflicted the state were like morbid attacks on the soul of Imo State, coming from internal enemies. Since security is a collective responsibility, the government created a repository conclave of security network and human watchdogs with the necessary technical and material support that brought together common interests and concerns. The yield today is of considerable positive outcome that places Imo State in the league of states in Nigeria enjoying relative peace.
From the beginning this administration rolled out a mandate of trust that placed commitments on the wheels of development. The upstart and gleaming project here was the construction of the technology-engineered 2.45KM and 1.8KM diameter tunnel (with varying depths and some 94 manholes) that addressed the perennial flooding that had ruined Owerri capital city for many years. Today the good work is done and the recovery of Owerri capital city from this menace represents a landmark of fulfillment.
The signature projects of this administration could be seen in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Owerri/Orlu and Owerri/Okigwe roads among others, they remain the igniting love that continues to fuel the franchise of approval and support between Imo people and Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State. In this support lies the massive strength of cognate expressions that guaranteed his success.
The turnaround status given to the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission(ISOPADEC) in its reformation by this administration brought the long sufferings of the communities in these areas to a halt with the establishment of various people-oriented projects.
Those close to Imo State Public Service were aware of the depth of the massive decay in the system before the advent of this administration. Today the people in Imo State public service enjoy considerable boost of free health insurance program, salary e-payments, regular salary payment, and automatic pension enrolment. The system has also established single payment window and transparent revenue collection among others.
The Imo State Social Benefit Scheme, with Social Benefit Security Number (IMSSBN) was introduced by this administration as a product of social awareness, economic growth and development and its beneficial inclusiveness; it is meant to drive in economic revival embedded in Imo economic digital agenda as a reformation content.
The education sector has benefited richly from the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration with Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Owerri coming on board; and the recovery of Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University Ideato by this administration reinforced this great zeal of governance.
The health sector is a strong gainer in the last four years with various free health schemes and programs, free community medical outreaches and enhancements with testimonies, all built around the health insurance program of the administration. The recovery and injection of life into Imo State University Teaching Hospital and the facilitation by the Governor of Imo State leading to the approval that signed in Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri has given the state the impetus of trust in health care delivery.
The proposition of Imo Charter of Equity came as a vehicle of conscience; it is the definition of resolution in balancing Imo political structure tied to the whims of peace and stability. His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is anchoring and championing its realization; he is willing to leave his heart of hearts on the will of Imo people.
And within the first term of his administration, our Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, secured two important approvals from the Federal government that may require strategic considerations in his second term in office. The approvals are rooted to attract eventful economic growth and development to Imo State. First is the approval of an oil and gas free zone(free port) at Oguta; this will lead to the dredging of Oguta Lake through the Orashi River, going up to Atlantic ocean, creating access for easy navigation. With the hydrographic and comprehensive bathymetric reports of this project ready, Imo State may become the economic hub of the Southeast. The second is the anticipatory approval for dam construction at the Nwaorie River for hydro-power generation. Availability of electricity is at the nerve of economic growth, and creating an enabling environment for independent power generating companies to tap into the abundant energy resources in Imo State will be a huge progress.
In all, looking at the summary of the 2024 budget of Imo State, allowing 83% as capital expenditure, shows that development of Imo State remains the focal and cardinal thought of our Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma. He has walked into his second term carrying the flag of consolidation.
….Hon. Engr[Chief] Julius O. Dike was a former
Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on Renewable Energy
Email: jodike2000@gmail.com
