May 29, 2019 is almost at hand but the good people of Imo State cannot wait any longer to see the end of the “Rescue Mission Government” of Governor Rochas Okorocha.
For the citizens of the Heartland State in general and residents of the capital city, Owerri, the Okorocha’s government has overstayed its welcome because of the untold hardship his administration has foisted on the people especially the environmental problems bedevilling the city.
With the physical destruction of the environment especially the distortion of the Owerri Urban Erosion and Storm water Underground System in the pretext of urban renewal by “Rescue Mission Government” has caused the residents more harm than good.
Okorocha’s government has excavated the solid Erosion and Storm water Chanellization System constructed in the 1980s by the benevolent government of late Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe. The masterpiece has three levels of collecting water from surface to gutter and then into the bigger tunnels that take the waters to Nworie River.
From Orji town to Egbeada, World Bank and Aladinma Estates through Egbu Road, Douglas, Tetlow, Wetheral Roads to West End to New Owerri, Amakohia and its environs, floodings have become the order of the day.
As the rainy season is knocking on the door and first rain descending on Owerri, the “Rescue Mission” gutters have been blocked and the streets and major roads taken over by flood due to the narrowness of the gutters constructed by Okorocha.
Worst hit is the popular Okigwe Road especially at the Government House junction near Rockview Hotel by Okigwe Road Roundabout where the road turns to “River Imo” each day the heaven opens in Owerri. Such is the “new Owerri metropolis” Okorocha is leaving behind.
Aside the blocked drainage in Owerri, residents also face risk of falling into the many open manhole littering the city. This is too dangerous for pedestrian and vehicles.
Finally, the residents have converted the major streets and road into refuse dumps following the government’s inability to clear the rubbish at designated places in the Owerri metropolis.
Indeed Owerri urban which was eight years ago during Gov. Ikedi Ohakim’s “New Face of Imo” government declared the Cleanest State Capital in Nigeria has become an eyesore under Okorocha’s watch.
For the above reasons and many others that are already in public space, Imolites and residents of Owerri cannot wait for the Swearing in of Imo State Governor- elect, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha on May 29.
A Better Imo is indeed Possible.
Awurumibe is a public affairs analyst
