…Flags-off Road Safety/Toronto/Orji/Okigwe road intersection, Totonto/Uzagba road
Governor Hope Uzodimma has reiterated that part of his major desire in office is to change the infrastructure narrative of Imo State such that the masses will have some relief.
He also assured that his programmes will continue to be people-centred.
The governor spoke on Tuesday while flagging-off the construction of three adjourning roads to MCC/Uratta Toronto Road Junction with a promise to complete the projects in four months.
The new roads are; Road Safety/Toronto, Toronto/Orji/Okigwe road intersection and Toronto/Umuori/Umunahu/Uzoagba Ikeduru roads.
Governor Uzodimma expressed delight at the flagging off ceremony, noting that “the good roads network will make Owerri assume its proper status as the State Capital of Imo State.”
He explained the gains derivable when the roads network into Owerri, the State capital, are made comfortable and properly lit, saying that “the people, the Civil Servants and businesses in Owerri and its environs will become more bearable and even the unknown gunmen will all disappear.”
He reminded the audience that “Government is all about the people and a visionary leader is that leader who thinks about the people,” and assured that “the three roads will be completed in four months and precisely by June this year the roads will be commissioned.”
The Governor thanked the traditional rulers, the leaders of Owerri North and Ikeduru and the pensioners for coming out to support the government.
To the pensioners in particular, the Governor said he will sit down with their leadership to work out the modalities on how to deal with the many years of pension arrears as soon as the resources of the State improve.
He also appealed to the Communities where the roads are located to cooperate with the construction company to ensure the project is realised within the specified period.
On a sad note, the Governor expressed dismay over the attitude of residents who deliberately dispose their wastes on the median of the newly reconstructed roads, including the MCC-Toronto road commissioned last week, noting that ‘’constructing the road is one thing, maintaining it for durability is another.”
Regardless, on the forthcoming Saturday election, the Governor reiterated that “enemies of the State and the South East in general are busy working to stop our citizens from coming out to vote.”
He therefore appealed to Imo people to come out and vote, emphasizing that their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is their AK47 with which they can change their lives.
He once more reminded the audience that as Governor of Imo State he is of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that the Government he presides over as Governor is government of APC.
He emphasised that he did not come like other past governments, but one who has come to “change the narrative by bringing good governance that is anchored on quality health, education, good road networks, security, and the general well-being of the citizens of Imo State.”
He then called on the Clergy and the entire people of Imo State to continue to pray for the State and the government for peace, security and development.
The Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka specially thanked the Governor for all the good things he has been doing for Imo State and Owerri North in particular and for keeping his promise of constructing durable roads and even the road that leads to her house.
“The people are happy with the Governor and he should keep up the good works.”
In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Works, Barr. Ralph Nwosu said that the ceremony was for the flag-off of part of the outer ring road from Orji/Naze measuring 8.4 kilometers with a Spur of 2.6 kilometers from Toronto to Uzoagba.
Nwosu added that the government was not only constructing roads, but working to arrest erosion that moves from Toronto junction to Uzoagba River.
In their appreciations, the leaders of the area – Chief Lemmy Akakem, Chief Henry Njoku, the Chairman of Owerri Zone Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Akujobi Osuagwu, and the Traditional Ruler from Ikeduru, HRH Eze Ebikoro, all thanked the Governor for his benevolence to their Local Government Areas as beneficiaries of the Owerri/Okigwe road, MCC/Uratta/Toronto road and now the three new roads being flagged-off by the Governor.