Governor Okorocha of Imo State has since embarked on what is described as “Verification Visits” to the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Imo State. According to impeccable sources, the visit is to enable the governor review his achievements in the various LGAs in order to ascertain the way forward, more so, as the electioneering season approaches. In this viewpoint, I wish to use Orlu Government Area as a platform to comment on what challenges face the governor as he cruises through the various LGAs. We have heard a lot on what transpired during his visit to Orlu LGA and indeed in other LGAs. It behooves us to make some input in order to ensure that the visits are optimally harnessed in order to buoy support to the governor in the stormy days that lie ahead. I have deliberately targeted only Orlu LGA because I need a small sample in order not be labelled a meddlesome interloper in the affairs of other LGAs. It is hoped that other analysts from other LGAs will also give us an insight into what transpired in their LGAs as this will avail our governor a large mass of information to enable him review his methodology to issues.
The Orlu visit revealed that the endemic cankerworm of sycophancy, bootlicking, and praise singing have even assumed a larger than life image in the present dispensation than was ever known before now. It is distressing that although Orlu LGA was the engine/war-room of Governor Okorocha’s governorship agenda in the 2011 election, the number of people who thronged the venue on the occasion of his official tour to Orlu LGA is a far cry from what would have been ordinarily expected. I prefer to paint the scenario by lifting a comment made by a Lagos-based news magazine, “The Source” in its edition of April 7, 2014:33. In a headline entitled “Embarrassing Tour”, The Source wrote:”Governor Rochas Okorocha’s recent tour of local governments in Imo State ends up a disaster in Orlu LGA”. The magazine wrote:”On Saturday, March 24, the government’s tour of Orlu LGA was poorly attended by the people. The tour was also disrupted by more than 10,000 youths who surged into the reception ground held at the Ihioma Civic Centre where the youths staged rally for President Goodluck Jonathan…” Those were snippets of the comments from “The Source Magazine”- a Lagos – based news magazine with strong bias to Imo State. The bottom line is that while the governor was addressing the people in the stadium, the Orlu youths ignored the governor’s visit and were rather present in the inauguration of the Niger Delta Youth Movement(NDYM) which held at Ihioma Civic Centre, Orlu- a walking distance from the venue where the governor was hosted by the Orlu LGA on the same day and time. It was during this rally that the youths under the leadership of Comrade Precious Nwadike, President of the Orlu Youths Assembly, chose Professor Natharn Uzorma as a parallel Mayor of Orlu zone in disregard to Dr Esom Obodo the governor’s appointed Mayor of Orlu. Both Professor Uzorma and Comrade Precious Nwadike confirmed this story when I contacted them to ascertain the veracity of the story. The object lesson is that these Orluzurumee Youths who are now diametrically opposed and hostile to Governor Okorocha’s policies are the selfsame youths who played a critical role to actualize Owelle Okorocha’s victorious governorship campaigns of 2011. So, there is a need to draw the attention of Governor Okorocha to this development in order to enable him decide whether to ignore the Orluzurumee youths or to provide a platform to give them a hearing in order to seek a reconciliation. Delay may be dangerous, more so, since the electioneering period is around the corner. It is also pertinent to state that the main Orluzurumee Group which is led by Barrister Reuben Okoro has since become factionalized. One group is led by Barrister Reuben Okoro while a splinter group is led by Engineer Chime Nzeribe. The Barrister Okoro group point fingers at Governor Okorocha and Professor Tony Anwuka as the architects of the internal feuding and faction in Orluzurumee Group. While Reuben Okoro is the de jure( court-ordered) National President of Orluzurumee, Engineer Chime Nzeribe represents some political interests in Orlu zone .Again, the youth wing of the Orluzurumee Group is factionalized as the Precious Nwadike Group does not take orders from the de jure National Chairman, barrister Reuben Okoro. A cross section of Orlu people is not pleased at the alleged divisive role of Professor Tony Anwuka in the affairs of Orluzurumee. The Reuben Okoro group is very vehement in condemning the plan by the governor to interfere in the restructuring of Orluzurumee Group. According to them, the Orluzurumee is a legal entity which has laws guiding the emergence of its trustees.
I am aware that Governor Okorocha’s aides and party bigwigs in Orlu Zone will never tell him these facts; they will as usual, tell him that the people are very happy and all correct sir .Most of them are chameleons and mercenary carpetbaggers who will join the next bus once the present one breaks down. Most of them have no conscience in their desperation to grab political power. As a media professional and frontline activist in Okorocha’s 2011 governorship agenda, I have decided to let the cat out of the bag so that politicians will not deceive him as they deceived his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim in 2011. Governor Okorocha should create a forum to reconcile with his brothers in Orlu. Such people like Barrister Reuben Okoro, Emeka Diwe, Chime Nzeribe, Professor Tony Anwuka, as well as the factional youth leaders must be brought under one roof so that Governor Okorocha can put his house in order before seeking presidential or second term ticket as governor. A house that is divided against itself cannot stand. Governor Okorocha should make haste because many people are at the verge of taking a stand on IMO 2015 Agenda. Let us not lose sight of the maxim:”To be forewarned is to be forearmed”.
As I veer into discussing other areas that Governor Okorocha should focus attention ,I wish to state that in spite of real or perceived shortcomings, Governor Okorocha has done more for Orlu Local Government than was done in the twelve years of the PDP rule in Imo State. This statement also applies to the 27 LGAs in Imo state. However, the nexus of this viewpoint is not to list or profile his achievements in Orlu LGA or in the state. I am not one of his numerous political aides neither am I a card –carrying politician; I hope his party men and aides are in a better position to articulate his achievements in a grand style. So, nothing said in this viewpoint diminishes the fact that he has really tried to transform Orlu LGA as well as other LGAs to modern cities. The point being made is that in comparison to what we saw in the 12 years of PDP rule, Governor Okorocha’s record is without compare ; but he can even excel his records if he begins to listen to what people like us tell him instead of swallowing the garbage from his party members and aides in the State. Most of them do not believe in him and they will not give a damn to what happens to him in 2015. Most of them are hypocrites and political chameleons who do not wish him well.
LIBRARY/ICT CENTRE: I will never get tired of reminding Governor Okorocha that a big lapse in his administration is the lack of modern libraries/Information Communications Technology Centres(ICTs) in the LGAs in the state. This is a major minus for his government. It is a paradox that an administration that is able to run a free education programme in the education sector does not deem it wise to include library and ICT parks in its fiscal budgets since 2012. In fact, in some areas the makeshift libraries are being shut down. I have perused the fiscal budgets of 2012,2013 and 2014 and am unable to see any clear-cut provision for the library /ICT infrastructure. I have seen a lot of the so-called legacy projects-5-star hotels,5-star edifices, and roads of all kinds and qualities, international conference centres, modern markets and even the ongoing new-look school buildings which are planned to spread across the 305 INEC wards but I am yet to hear this administration include library/ICT platforms in any of its fiscal budgets. This is a big deficit in planning which must be redressed now .A government that has the political will to deliver free education must of necessity build modern libraries and ICT parks to boot. In Orlu LGA, 95% of the secondary school leavers have not operated the computer at all. They do not know the difference between a television screen and a computer monitor; yet, they are supposed to take the same computer-based JAMB examinations which are scheduled to take off soon. So, such students are disadvantaged as they lack the requisite capability to compete effectively with their peers who are almost advanced in computer awareness. Today in Orlu municipality, there are no functional internet cafés where seekers of knowledge can browse in order to gratify their information needs. Here in Orlu, we need a library/ICT complex which will contain about 50 computer systems that are connected to high speed servers and a computer training adjunct to enhance computer literacy among the citizenry. It is hoped that the two commissioners for education (Professor Nnabue and DR Ejiogu) will personally move this agenda forward. It is not just in Orlu LGA; in fact, every LGA Chairman must be compelled to set up a modern library /internet wing in its area of jurisdiction.
Lack of potable water: The last time residents of Orlu Municipality enjoyed potable water from the state water board was in the regime of Colonel Zubairu. Water supply from the State Water Board collapsed in the second tenure of Chief Achike’s Administration. Since then-over 10 years ago-, the residents in Orlu Municipality have been sourcing water from all manner of sources. Today, every family in Orlu must own a wheel barrow in order to move to the nooks and crannies of the municipality in search of potable water. During the military era of Colonel Zubairu, those who were living in high rise buildings could fetch water from the various floors and even bath with showers. If this facility was available in a military regime, why not in a democratic dispensation? A lot has been said about the Orlu Regional Water Scheme which was to be executed in conjunction with the Federal Government .We appeal to Governor Okorocha to find out why this project is on hold and take necessary action to actualize the agenda. The indiscriminate sinking of bore holes in this Municipality and IMO State is not a healthy development. This Administration has not given commensurate impetus to the issue of water delivery in IMO State. Often, the impression is given that the government does not even know that provision of potable water to the populace as well as the provision of rural electrification is part of the social contract it signed with the electorate. The Ministry of Utilities in Imo State is virtually idle and comatose. This is unacceptable. It is pathetic to note that the Owerri-Ebeiri water pumping station which pumped water to Orlu municipality and environs in the past years has become a habitat for rodents and reptiles as it is now a wild bush and in a state of disuse. Governor Okorocha should set up a crack task force to regularize this anomaly. The people are suffering as a result of these challenges.
The PRINCE HOTEL, ORLU & Orlu/Umuowa Road: Government has earmarked the building of Prince Hotel in Orlu municipality. We are told that it will be a big international hotel which purpose is to facilitate tourism and the hospitality industry. It is my opinion that the huge budget for this project should be used to provide the Library/ICT complex in Orlu municipality .In the same vein, the budget should be applied to expedite the completion of the Amaifeke- Orlu-Umuowa highway. The progress of work on that road is very sluggish and unimpressive. I am sure that a big hotel is not a priority for Orlu residents as of now. The construction work on the Umuowa road is of very low quality; it may not withstand the first rainy season. I suggest that since what is worth doing at all is worth doing well, real contracting groups like Julius Berger and Arab Contractors should be called in to take over the contract. What is going on there now is very unsatisfactory; it’s making a mess of road construction.
Who owns the hotel on OWUS Avenue?: Owus avenue is a prominent avenue in Orlu municipality. A big hotel is springing up on that avenue now and tongues are wagging as to who really owns the hotel. Some people say the hotel belongs to Ichie Mbanaso, the Commissioner for Works; others allege that it belongs to the Lebanese contractor, Mr Gary; yet, some say it belongs to the state governor. My interest in this issue is anchored on the fact that the hotel is on a land which was recently acquired or recovered from alleged squatters for overriding public interest. Those who built houses on that land were ejected and their houses demolished. If the land was acquired for overriding public interest, is it fair to allocate the land to businessmen to set up private businesses? The government should throw more light on the ownership of this hotel so that people can argue from an informed mind. I have no personal interest on the land ;I merely deem it necessary to apprise the State Governor that a section of the people are murmuring and making snide remarks on this hotel. People are also wondering why a hotel of that size does not have a contractor’s bill board which will show the name of the contractor, the name of the project and the client. I am just passing information to enable the government to be properly guided in the way it handles this project. So, the question is: Who owns this project? Is it a hotel or what? Is the project a public business i.e. for overriding public interest or a private one? There is a need for the Chairman of Orlu Local Government Council and the Mayor of Orlu to wade into this matter in order to ascertain what is happening and render clarifications to the populace.
Imo International Market UMUNA-ORLU: It rankles that this market has been forgotten in the scheme of things. This market was started in the regime of Chief Achike Udenwa. It was about 60% completed at the time Chief Udenwa left office. Since then, subsequent governments abandoned the master plan of the market. Even now, the utilities in the market are operating below marginal efficiency. Most of the facilities slated in the master plan of the market are yet to be actualized. They include facilities like a motor park, a fire service station, a police station, warehouses, an incinerator for burning garbage, a modern abattoir and others. This administration has built over a dozen new markets in various parts of Imo State without paying any attention to restoring the master plan of this market. The need to redress this anomaly cannot be overstressed.
BUILDING MATERIALS MARKET OKPORO: This market is dangerously close to the HIGH COURT Complex in Orlu. It is not reasonable for a market to enjoy a proximity with a court. This is poor planning. In the next few years, the market will extend to the High Court area. So, whoever planned this location of a court and a market as neighbors has no vision. In order to obviate avoidable lapses, environmental impact assessment must be performed before projects are sited and government must seek advice from urban development professionals and town planners.
The arrest of contractors at visit venues: We have heard that some so-called non- performing contractors were arrested by the police on the orders of the state governor on the grounds that they failed to execute the contracts awarded to them. The story is still unfolding and it may be too early to make in-depth comment on this aberration. However, one must advice against the use of self help and extra-judicial means to settle scores in a democratic dispensation. The revelation is more worrisome because the contractors who were arrested were mere petty contractors who were acting as fronts for the big contractors in the executive and legislative arms of the government. It is sad that while these hapless and helpless petty business men were handed over to the police in the full glare of a global audience, the big politicians who they were actually working for were drinking red wine and enjoying their loot in their various hideouts. Did the Attorney-General of the State give approval to this apparently arbitrary arrest? It is instructive to state that the law allows any person who perceives that his fundamental human rights have been trampled upon to sue for relief because for every infraction, the victim is entitled to a relief. Recall that a few days ago, an Abuja Federal High Court awarded exemplary damages in the sum of N50 million against the federal government for the unlawful arrest, detention, and harassment of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. There is a dire need for Governor Okorocha to exercise restraint in the persisting action of ordering the police to arbitrarily arrest contractors at visit venues, more so, since the politicians/big men who the petty contractors are working for are allowed to go unscathed. To most people, this action borders on showmanship and grandstanding and may make the state government vulnerable to litigation on the grounds of trampling on some one’s human rights. There is a need to ascertain if what is at stake is a criminal or a civil action and, above all, provisions of section 251 of the Constitution vests jurisdiction on the federal high court to entertain matters touching on enforcement of fundamental human rights and such cases are accorded accelerated and expeditious hearing. In keeping with the twin pillars of natural justice, Governor Okorocha cannot be a judge in his own case more so, when the harassed contractors have not been given a fair hearing. Where a contractor has breached the terms of the contract, there are more decent ways to bring him to the Temple of Justice; the use of self help to settle issues is not an option in a democratic dispensation.
ORLU HIGH COURT COMPLEX: Government should expedite action on the completion of work on the Orlu High Court complex which has been abandoned since Chief Achike Udenwa left office.
ORLU NEW STADIUM: Work on the new ORLU stadium should be pursued with vigour and tenacity of purpose.
(ICAPS) and the Young Scientists College (YSC): In the same vein, the Imo College of Advanced Studies (ICAPS) and the Young Scientists College (YSC) which are in Owerri should be replicated in Orlu and Okigwe zones. Imo state does not begin and end with Owerri municipality and environs. Similarly, Orlu and Okigwe senatorial headquarters should have the ultra modern school building – the type that is built for the City School, Wetheral Road, Okigwe. There should be no dichotomy in spreading democracy dividends.
THE FIRE SERVICE STATION, ORLU: Government should as a matter of emergency rehabilitate the Fire Service station at Orlu. The station lacks functional fire engines to respond to emergencies, more so, as it appears to be the only one in the whole of Orlu zone. The Fire Service station should be moved to a permanent site with an own bore-hole facilities and related logistics to enable the fire fighters to be more proactive and result –oriented. It is calamitous that a municipality as critical as ORLU does not have a functional fire service platform. Property and merchandise worth millions of Naira have been lost to fire as a result of inability of the staff of the Fire Station to respond promptly to distress calls, in cases of inferno/fire disasters in Orlu Municipality and environs.
Refuse DUMP: Orlu municipality has no refuse dump. As a result of this lacuna, Orlu municipality is about the dirtiest city in Nigeria. Everywhere is exuding a putrid stench with the concomitant health hazards. This anomaly should be redressed in order to guard against possible epidemic in the city.
Ministry of Works: Finally, I wish to advise Governor Okorocha to make a swift change in the leadership of the Ministry of Works. A technocrat in Engineering should be appointed Commissioner for Works now, if Governor Okorocha is genuinely interested in due process, accountability and quality in the Ministry. It is sad that in a state where every kindred has a graduate, the Commissioner for Works is a person who does not have the benefit of a tertiary education, not to talk of being an engineer. It rankles that a governor who talks of spending staggering amount in executing civil/structural engineering works does not have the political will to appoint an engineer to manage the Ministry of Works. In order to redress the very poor quality of roads and engineering works in the state, we need an engineer who can read engineering drawings and designs and make useful input in the tasks facing the Ministry. We need an engineer who can brainstorm with his colleagues on issues such as the ways to reinforce a concrete design to carry the dead weights on beams, columns/cantilever beams, an engineer who can resolve mathematical equations on Young Modulus of Elasticity, linear programming, tensile and shear strengths and the others. Even, if the office is zoned to the present Commissioner for Works, he should be asked to nominate his candidate for the job. We don’t give a damn if his candidate occupies the office as long he is a qualified and rugged engineer .Yes, Owelle is working but he will achieve more if he listens to some of us and pay less attention to those sycophants who give him a standing ovation in spite of his perceived shortcomings, inadequacies and deficit in decision making. The era of the choir:”Rochas ihe nile imere di mma…” was yesterday.
JOHN MGBE
Johnmgbe@yahoo.com
