resident Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to sustain the momentum of efforts of his Government to provide infrastructure and improve the welfare of the people of Imo State which he has started.
The President went further to commend the vision of Governor Uzodinma which he said has brought about the completion of projects being commissioned within one year in office.
President Buhari spoke at the virtual inauguration of two roads in Owerri, the Imo State capital, completed within the first year in office of Governor Uzodinma.
He applauded Governor Uzodimma on the completion of the Assumpta to Hospital junction road as well as the World Bank to Federal Secretariat road, respectively, describing the two roads commissioned on his behalf by the Imo State Governor as “quite symbolic and strategic.”
President Buhari said: “The first road, the Assumpta to Hospital junction road, is the gateway to the South-South from the South-East.
“The second road, the World Bank to Federal Secretariat road, is an important access way to the federal government secretariat and a major connecting link road between the residents of the densely populated World Bank area of the state and the rest of the state capital.”
President Buhari said he was aware that in the first year in office of Governor Uzodimma, the government had embarked on an ambitious target of executing 46 road projects, noting that the Governor is transforming the state with the projects.
The President explained: “I am glad to learn that significant strides are being made towards their completion, and a number of them are amongst those being commissioned as part of the events in honour of the one-year anniversary.
“I must commend the State Government, under the leadership of Sen. Hope Uzodinma, for setting ambitious targets, and within just one year in office using this moment to evaluate the journey thus far.
“It clearly demonstrates the commitment of the government to the welfare of the people.
“I feel happy to learn from Governor Uzodinma that the policies of our administration and the manifesto of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have greatly influenced his resolve to make a difference in Imo State. I pray that you will keep the flag flying.”
While urging Governor Uzodimma to sustain the momentum and accelerate the pace of good governance in the State, the President also congratulated him for the feat within one year and noted that the infrastructure in place will go a long way in making life better for lmo people, residents and visitors alike.
In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma thanked Mr. President for making himself available to commission the roads despite his very busy schedule, saying the infrastructure achievements being celebrated in Imo State have been greatly influenced by the sterling qualities of President Buhari.
Consequently, the Governor said the State Executive Council (SEC) unanimously voted to name the newly constructed World Bank to Federal secretariat road after Muhammadu Buhari.
Governor Uzodinma further declared that one year after, he had kept his promise to surmount the challenges he met on ground and had surpassed the expectations of Imo people.
Governor Uzodimma’s address read: “On behalf of the government and people of Imo State, I most humbly and sincerely welcome our beloved President Muhammad Buhari, GCFR, to the virtual commissioning of two strategic roads built by my administration, among others, within the past one year.
“The two roads, mainly, the Assumpta to hospital road junction and the World Bank to federal secretariat road were done as part of our government’s resolve to address the Infrastructural deficit we met on assumption of office.
“These roads and many others that we have constructed in just one year will greatly ease the movement of goods and services between our state and other states. The federal secretariat road abandoned for over 15years has now been recovered and constructed into a delightful dual carriage way. It will help thousands of residents of World Bank area facilitate their movements and businesses.
“Mr. President Sir, when I assumed office, a year ago, almost all the roads in the state were not motorable. As a result, both inter and intra city movements were nightmarish. To make matters worse, there was no money to carry out palliative repairs, and of course, the rains set in as we were trying to settle in.
“However, I made a solemn promise to Imo people that I would tackle those challenges. I can confidently tell Your Excellency that I not only kept that promise but have indeed surpassed the expectations of many Imo people. This has been possible because of the invaluable support and encouragement of our Dear President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I need to add that the two roads you are commissioning today are part of 46 roads embarked upon by my administration. The majority of them have been completed while a few are under construction.
“It might interest Your Excellency to know that under my administration’s shared prosperity agenda, the provision of critical infrastructure ranks very high. Because our people are deeply into commerce and always on the move, the need to provide them with the facilitating environment became an urgent necessity. Our road revolution is therefore a timeous response to the survival needs of our people.
“Apart from roads, we have also touched the lives of Imo people in other areas including health, education, agriculture, youths empowerment and rural development.
“We have restored water to the state capital; two decades after the citizens drank potable water last.
“We have also reformed the civil service to make it results-oriented. All Government financial transactions are now automated. In that regard, we have plugged all loopholes through which fraudulent activities were perpetrated.
“This is in-line with Your Excellency’s, anti-corruption policy. To this end, I can confidently declare to Your Excellency that we have wrestled corruption in the state to a state of tepidity.
“We have not only made it impossible for unpatriotic elements to feast on the patrimony of the state but have gone ahead to ensure that henceforth public officers are held accountable for their actions.
“Mr. President, I must confess that I took particular notice of your fervent patriotic zeal for the development of our dear nation, which has seen you accomplish many feats in, among other areas, the economy and food sufficiency. This greatly influenced my determination to make a difference in the governance of Imo State. In doing so, I have also been guided by the progressive manifesto of our great party the APC.
“Consequently, and because I want to leave it on the annals of history that the achievements we are celebrating today were greatly influenced by the sterling leadership qualities of Your Excellency, the President, the state Executive Council unanimously voted for the World Bank to federal secretariat road, which is a brand new road, to be named in your honour. It is therefore my great pleasure and privilege, to name this brand new Federal Secretariat road, President Muhammadu Buhari road, to the glory of God.
“May I on behalf of the government and the good people of Imo State, express our appreciation to Your Excellency for finding time from your busy schedule to accord us the great honour of your esteemed presence at our one-year in office anniversary.
“Let me now, with great joy and honour invite Your Excellency, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to commission these two strategic roads to the glory of God.
“Thank you so much and may God bless all of us.”
Joining President Buhari to commission the roads were Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, Chairman of APC Imo State, Chief Marcellinus Nlemigbo, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase, Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem and his deputy, Amara Iwuanyanwu, Senator Chris Anyanwu, and other serving and former lawmakers.
Also in attendance were top government officials, members of the Imo State Expanded Executive Council and members of the Imo State House of Assembly.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor, publisher politician and business mogul, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chairman of Imo State Taskforce on Covid-19, Prof. Maurice Iwu, APC chieftain and businessman, Chief Tony Chukwu, ranking monarchs from Imo such as HRH, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, Eze E. Obiefule and Eze Oliver Ohanweh, and other well meaning Imolites witnessed the occasion.
