Joshua Chibuzom, Owerri
Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma is facing an allegation of highjacking a notable Federal government project attracted by famous Lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere (representing Ideato Federal Constituency) Imo State in the House Of Representatives Abuja.
On a chat with our correspondent on Sunday, a top federal contractor in Abuja who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that Uzodinma took over the project from Federal Government with the aim of linking the road from Orlu to Orie Akokwa in order to address the erosion problem at the Orie Akokwa roundabout.
The deadly Erosion site is said to have lasted for over ten years which was neglected by past and present administrations in Imo State until the timely intervention of the Lawmaker who spent millions of Naira in the process of lobbying for the federal government attention for a sole purpose of saving life of constituents.
However, the erosion site located close to Home Town of Former governor Rochas Okorocha who also represented Imo West Senatorial District in Abuja, is said to have sacked hundreds of residents from their accentral homes (Ideato South LGA).
Reacting to the recent development, a community chieftain who simply identified himself as Mr. Ogbu questioned why Uzodinma should highjack already captured and contracted by the federal government.
“Our people have been facing serious Erosion Menace for over ten years, even when our brother was ruling the state, the current governor Uzodinma married from our community, non of them listened to our plight untill if not Ikenga Ugochinyere who attracted Federal Government attention to our community.
“While Uzodinma enjoyed his robust working relationship with the former president Muhammadu Buhari in the past four years visiting Imo State regularly, he never considered lobbying for such project as a man very close to the then president.
“We are happy that, as our in-law he has resolved to do the project against the initial plan by the Federal Government. We hope he should keep to the agreement and terms and accomplish the project to expectation because our people have seriously suffered” he said.
meanwhile, during his visit to the site on Wednesday, the Lawmaker commended Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma for his resolve to take over the project from the Federal Government and link the road from Orlu to Orie Akokwa in order to address the erosion problem at the Orie Akokwa roundabout.
Ugochinyere however emphasized that it will be unforgivable and unacceptable to Ideato people if Governor Uzodinma abandons the project after urging the federal government to hand it over to the state government, adding that he started advocating for the project few years after Gov. Uzodinma flagged it off, yet nothing was done.
His words “We received news that the state government is interested in this project. This is one of the things we have been praying for. It is not my job as a lawmaker to get involved in road construction. I do representation and lawmaking. It is because the state and federal government abandoned this project overtime that made me to seek the attention of the federal government that has awarded the contract to Rockview and the contractor has been doing a great job since then.
“Ideato people will not want a situation where the contractors from the federal government will stop doing the good work that they are currently doing here, going by the intervention of the state government and nothing happens till December and then the rainy season comes to affect the good work done so far.
“It is good news if the governor quickly starts and completes the projects but it will be bad news if the federal government contractors demobilize and stop working, then in a few weeks time, we come here to see no visible work, instead people are still coming to draw lines and point at the gully. We want the filling up to start immediately and the road to be constructed so that we will recover this place completely.
“Now that the governor has resolved to do what he ought to have done three to four years ago. Mr. Governor make sure you finish the work timely. People are already doing the work. Make sure you have a sustainable plan to finish the work on time. We shall not drag sites with anyone. As long as the federal government says we should step aside, we will”.
He appreciated president Bola Armed Tinubu and the Works Minister, Engr. Dave Umahi for keeping to their words of recovering the Umuchima gully erosion site.
Ugochinyere emphasized that what is important to Ideato people is to have Umuchima gully erosion fixed not who fixes it, adding that Ideato people have the right to enjoy access to this road by having this erosion problem fixed and don’t care whether it is the state government or federal government that executes the project.
He appreciated the Umuchima and Ideato South people for their patience and the support given to the men at the site. He lamented the ravages and suffering encountered by the people of Ideato South as a result of the erosion, recalling the collapse and consumption of many houses and shops in Umuchima community.
He however noted with despair that the speed of work at the site may be slowed temporarily but maintained that Ideato people will not forgive Gov. Uzodinma if he abandons the Umuchima gully erosion site after chasing away the federal government that has already started good work.
