THE STATE OF IMO ROAD Editorial of the Roman Catholic Leader Newspaper Date: Sunday, July 27, 2014 Page: 2 Edited by: Rev. Fr. Ray Nzereogu When one observes the huge resources in terms of time and money, being spent on infrastructural development at the Assumpta Avenue/Orlu Road. Roundabout in Owerri, the Imo state capital, the impression is created that this is the most important project for this government, and that the success of what is happening at that round-about will be the yardstick to measure the success of this government. One basic truth is this: it is not true. Whatever that is happening there, though commendable will never be the measure of the success of this government. The government surely will be judged with how the lives of the common man in the various communities are touched through economic empowerment and rural infrastructural development, for example good roads. At the start of his government in 2011, Okorocha assured Imo people that his administration was going to give a facelift to the major cities of the state, namely: Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe. Soon afterwards, he announced plans to construct 15 roads in each of the 27 local government areas. He assured Imolites that the numerous failed portions (water logged, potholes, lack of drainage system and death traps) would be rectified when the rains ceased. Sadly, three dry seasons have come and gone since that assurance and Imo roads, particularly those in and around Owerri, are yet to be rescued by the Okorocha Rescue Mission. In some cases, roads in rural communities are so bad and in most communities some sections are totally cut off from the rest. After three and half years of much talk about its Rescue Mission, the present administration has virtually nothing to show for it in terms of development and empowerment of the common man. For some reasons, the local governments which should have had the responsibility of bringing the impacts of the government to the rural communities have been paralyzed. The so much talked about community government has been a woeful failure, because there is a fundamental disconnect between existing structure – the local government and the new community government. Why are the Orlu Road Roundabout, Akwakuma Flyover, Emmanuel College Roundabout, Orji Flyovers and Imo State University Roundabout taking so long to complete? They have remained uncompleted for so long while new construction projects are awarded such as the bridge being constructed by direct labour across the Nworie Rivers. There is nothing wrong with embarking on multiple projects, but how well, effective and coordinated is that strategy? Which of the roads has been completed and commissioned? It completed, what is the quality of work done? Paradoxically some of the roads keep collapsing while still under construction. So from Aladinma to the world bank, Egbeada, Ikenegbu, Trans Egbu to Relief Market Extension, It is the same story of human suffering and economics losses arising from bad roads and shabbily executed jobs. The site and services Estate as well as the Onitsha Road industrial Layout roads have remained impassable despite their huge economic importance? At times, the deplorable state of roads at Umuguma, Avu, Nekede, Emekuku and other surrounding communities create the erroneous impression that they are not part of the Owerri Capital Territory. The reason for the deplorable condition of Imo Roads is simply that those in government awarded the contract to their cronies. Some of these contractors being revoked and awarded to other companies. What is disappointing is that handling the same projects at four separate contractors handling the same projects at some point. One wonders, where the government is getting it wrong. Is it that these so called companies are not checked and assessed before contracts are awards to them? Or did they get jobs by proxy. The, critics say might be the case. The secret why roads constructed by Governor Sam Mbakwe over 30 years ago have withstood the test of time is because they were handled by competent and reputable construction firms which were effectively supervised by the relevant agencies. What really matter is not just the number of roads constructed but the quality. The truth is that the state of rural roads in Imo state is terrible. The 15 roads promised each local government seem to be only on paper. Three and half years gone, not much has been done in terms of infrastructural government is not going to be judged by just what is happening at the Orlu road roundabout, but how this government has affected the lives of the common man. It will be a very bad idea for this government to start comparing itself with previous governments. One truth is that, they can never be used as a yard stick. Governor Okorocha realized this from the beginning and maybe that was he said he was coming for a four years rescue mission. We call on the governor to give urgent attention to the deplorable conditions of Imo roads and empower Imolites as these are among the democracy dividends for which he was elected governor.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:59:56 +0000
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