By Ezeafurukwe Paul Ihunanya
PART 1
There is no disputing the fact that IMO State was the capital of dilapidated road infrastructure throughout the eight years of the “family-rescued” administration of Rochas Okorocha. The roads terribility is such that it became an article of caricature and identification to Imolites across the world. The photo-ops termed rural road construction paraded by Okorocha was an additional avenue to siphon public funds while the poor status of the roads degenerated into criticality.
An Image of a set of people seated at the center of a newly constructed road went viral in 2018/2019 and it had the caption “…when IMO state people visited Anambra and saw a road” – what a devastating description of the easter heartland, a state that was a national envy to others as a result of Dee Sam Mbakwe’s uncommon governance.
Imolites yearned for an immediate turnaround; a total overhaul and an absolute restoration. Imolites sort for the emergence of an angelic being, one with a competent leadership skills and qualitative capacity to deliver swiftly, smoothly and strategically the dividends of democracy to the people. The desire and crave were so strong that Imolites expects a miraculous manifestation within days.
His Excellency, the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma came into office and swung into action immediately – man like no other. Adopted the fraudulently awarded contracts of the ousted PDP administration and as well awarded additional roads, for a start, with quality and swiftness as his penchant while addressing contractors.
Everyday inspection, everyday supervision. The Governor has been so devoted and focused towards delivery on the rehabilitation of the road infrastructural deficit of the state while reconstructing dilapidated roads and recovering abandoned ones. These are the constituent cardinal points of the Shared Prosperity administration.
Fast forward seven months later, the ambience in the state turned around; the airways was beautified with the miraculous commissioning of completed road projects within the state. The Governor has surmounted the obstacles and broken the jinx of impossibilities. A feat that could not be recorded within eight years of acidic rain, a feat that could not be recorded within seven months of “allowing the rains to subside” has been overwhelmingly and exceedingly commissioned, even with the rains.
This narratives as being changed by His Excellency, the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma are so striking, splendid, impressive, admirable and magnificent to the point that the “doubting Thomas” have flooded in their numbers, with disbelief and left in awe wondering how these impossibilities became possible. A very magic touch.
The entire state is a construction site with ongoing work. A review and revocation of nonperforming contracts have been initiated, an MOU signed with construction giant JB for the ever busy, economically important and strategic roads connecting the three senatorial zones of the state vis-à-vis Owerri-Okigwe and Owerri-Orlu road. As the rains wind up for the year, greater and speedy works would be witnessed accros the state.
His Excellency has truly responded, in the best and appropriate format, to the popular question in a parlance peculiar to Ndi Imo – “who say men no dey”, for in him, “men dey”.
Ezeafurukwe Paul Ihunanya writing from the Office of the Governor New and Electronic Media