By TONY UBANI
WHEN Owelle Rochas Okorocha came to power some two years back after a hard fought political battle, he declared that he was on a mission to rescue Imo State.

Today, to some Imo indigenes, not much has been achieved in the much talked about rescue mission agenda of the ‘smooth talking governor’.

But one man that believes that the governor’s rescue mission is on course, is Lagos-based businessman, Prince Alex Mbata, who hails from Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State.

Prince Mbata

Mbata, just back from Imo State where he enjoyed the Christmas and new year holidays, told the media in Lagos that he took time off to go round the state, ostensibly to see things for himself and make a personal assessment of the present administration in the state. He said from what he saw, there is no disputing the fact that Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his men are doing well, even as he charged the governor’s political opponents to leave him alone in the interest of the state.

He said: “Let me start by saying that I am not a politician. I have no political leaning, but as an Imolite, I am interested in what is happening in the state. I am a stakeholder when it comes to the state and my desire just like that of any other Imo son or daughter is to see the state make progress on all fronts. I was at home in Imo last December and took time off to see what the government of the day is doing.

“To be honest, I think the level of development going on is something every Imo man should be proud of. From Owerri to Orlu down to Okigwe the story is the same. As we speak the state is getting massive infrastructural face lift. Roads are being constructed both in the rural and urban areas, bridges are being built alongside schools, hospitals name it and the students are enjoying free education from primary to university level. Nothing could have been better. Imo has never had it so good,except in the days of Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe of blessed memory. It is only a blind man that can claim not to see the projects I am talking about.

Dividends of democracy

“Against the backdrop of what I have seen, my appeal to the governor’s political opponents is for them to sheath their swords in the interest of the state.

I am making this appeal in the interest of the poor people of the state who the present government wants to better their lot. Imo people should be allowed to enjoy the dividend of democracy. There will be no progress if politicians in the state keep fighting themselves. If the governor is distracted, he will lose focus and Imo people will be the ones to suffer. Those that want to take over should wait till 2015 when Imo people will have another opportunity to decide who rules them. Those in the opposition should concentrate on coming up with a blueprint of what they want to do for Imo people. For now, they should allow the government of the day to work.”

Mbata whose corporate outfit is building what could pass as the biggest industry in the state said the ultra modern factory located at Naze on the outskirts of Owerri will become operational before the end of the first quarter of this year. He said he decided to invest in Imo to ease the high rate of unemployment in the state, noting: “The rate of unemployment in the state is high and this is why I have decided to invest in the state. We must all strive to make Imo a better place. My mission is to give Imo youths job and God willing the industry I am building in the state will start production in two months.”

Mbata who concluded by quoting from the scriptures said when the righteous rule, the people rejoice and when the wicked is on the throne the people mourn. To him Imo people are rejoicing today because the state is truly in the hands of God.