By Simon Ebegbulem

Like or hate him, you will however attest to it that his style is unique. As a maverick politician; he has no apologies over his actions or inactions, as long as, according to him, majority of the people are happy with his decision. Ultimately, results of such decisions continue to culminate in driving the state he superintendents over towards greater heights and wider reaches.

This Prince of Omuma kingdom has the charisma, the aura of authority and honestly, that aura enveloped the chambers of the Imo State House of Assembly, last Tuesday, when Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, walked into the hallowed chambers at exactly 1pm, smiling proudly to the crowd, itching to deliver his State of the State address, to Ndi Imo. Stakeholders, joined by thousands of excited residents from across Imo besieged the state assembly complex to listen to their Governor.

The moment he commenced his address, something struck my mind. Two of his titled names, ‘Oputa Obie of Oru,’ ‘Ome Nhe Ukwu of Orlu,’ meaning, whatever is the challenge, the moment Governor Uzodimma comes out, the problem is solved. While the latter translated, means, one that does big things. Those titles literally came to life; manifesting in actions in the hands of whom they were conferred.
I actually cherish those names a lot, and he has lived up to his name in achieving great accomplishments in Imo.

Honestly, when the governor mounted the podium to reel out his achievements over the years, he touched on several areas to the satisfaction of the crowd. As “Ome Ihe Ukwu,” Uzodimma had embarked on cutting-edge projects across the entire state, that his predecessors were scared of delving into. Before his coming as governor of Imo, Owerri and its environs was ravaged by flooding each time it rains. Several people abandoned their homes to relocate to safer areas due to the devastating effects of flooding. But Oputa Obie of Oru (Uzodimma), came and introduced the ballon technology system, building underground tunnels with huge pipes, channeling all the storm water coming from Egbu Road, MCC, Chukwuma Nwoha, taking it to Ota Mmiri River. The project which cost the state billions in money, has checked the flooding problem in most parts of the state capital. These are some of those gigantic projects many may not see, but you can only appreciate it further if you take your time to assess the underground tunnels. Today the flooding problem in Owerri is now a thing of the past.

No wonder, Vanguard Media Limited, bestowed on him an Award as Infrastructures Governor of the Year. Uzodimma declared emergency on roads in the state immediately he assumed office. And today, the quality of roads being constructed across the state is unprecedented, to say the least. According to him: “As you know, I have always maintained that I have a covenant with God to serve the people of Imo State with honesty, integrity, and transparency. I have held firmly to this commitment since I took the oath of office on January 15, 2020.”

Recalling how his administration met a dilapidated House of Assembly complex, Uzodimma noted that “Whenever I enter this chamber, I am reminded of what it once was. This edifice, now one of the most impressive in the country, used to be in a state of ruin, and honorable members had to flee to exile for their safety. Today, it stands proudly, restored with state-of-the-art fittings. I dare say it rivals, if not surpasses, any state legislative complex in the country. It remains a signpost of the standards we have brought to governance, standards of quality, durability, and excellence. Similar standards are being upheld in the new International Conference Centre, which is nearing completion.

“When I assumed office, I was immediately confronted with two pressing issues: widespread infrastructure decay and the near-total breakdown of state institutions. Most roads were either impassable or outright death traps. Governance was paralysed. The civil service, often referred to as the engine room of government, had lost both its form and function. Even the Government House had been reduced to a laughable caricature, with official business often conducted in bush bars or guest houses.
If those were the only challenges, the situation would have been more manageable. But, we were barely settling into office when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. As you can all recollect, the pandemic disrupted economies across the world and upended public life. Here in Imo, we had to redirect enormous resources to contain the spread of the virus and protect our people.

“No sooner had we begun to manage the public health crisis than another challenge emerged, this time, a politically motivated challenge. Some disgruntled politicians, who were still smarting from their defeat at the polls, vowed to make the state ungovernable. They went to great lengths to keep their promise. Soon after, unprecedented acts of violence erupted in different parts of the state. The most infamous was the illegal release of over 1,830 inmates from the Owerri Custodial Centre. This act injected dangerous elements into the society and emboldened criminal networks across the state and neighbouring states.

“Suddenly, we were confronted with a full-scale breakdown of order. Banditry surged, communities were attacked, and public infrastructure came under siege. Law enforcement officers and private citizens were not spared. The impacts of these far-reaching acts of violence were enough to destabilize and derail any administration. But we remained resolute. Our belief was simple: light will always overcome darkness. In response, we mobilized every available arsenal to confront the crisis – security, humanitarian, financial and institutional. To the glory of God, we emerged victorious. Now, we have our state back!”

Governor Uzodimma who recalled the rot in the state civil service and how he revamped the payment system in the state bureaucracy, boasted that, ‘today civil servants and pensioners can now receive their salaries and pensions as at when due,’ just as his administration revamped the decayed infrastructure at the state civil service.

According to him: “Our commitment to infrastructure remains resolute. Today, Imo boasts of one of the most extensive and impactful road networks in Nigeria. Without sounding immodest, we have constructed more roads than all previous administrations since 1999, combined.
From the dualised Owerri–Orlu and Owerri–Okigwe roads, to the MCC–Toronto–Uratta corridor, this administration has shown that government can indeed be responsive to the people’s needs. These roads are as functional as they are economic corridors. They connect communities, boost trade, reduce travel time, and stimulate productivity.

“To date, we have completed over 120 roads across the state. In the past 18 months alone, we delivered 37 brand new roads, an iconic edifice, the International Conference Center and a befitting Government Housing Annex Orlu. We also have the Assumpta Flyover and the new Concorde-Hilton Hotel, as landmark legacy projects

“The flyover, the International Conference Center and the Government House Annex, Orlu – are scheduled for formal commissioning by the President, later in August. These events will not only validate our efforts, but also spotlight our infrastructure renaissance on the national stage.”

Apart from his road projects, the people of the state are already celebrating the establishment of the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ISERC) by the state government. Worried by the power situation that has bedevilled the people of the state over the years, Governor Uzodimma has also vowed to provide 24 hours power to the people of the state through his light up Imo project. According to him, no meaningful industrialization can take root without power.

“If roads open access, and digital skills unlock opportunities, then power remains the engine of productivity. No meaningful industrialization can take root without it.

“We have since enacted the Imo State Electricity Reform Law, established the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ISERC), and issued a power generation and distribution license to the newly created Orashi Electricity Company Limited. In partnership with all the 27 local governments, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Orashi Electricity Company Limited, to deliver power across the state. That agreement is now being implemented.

“But we didn’t stop there. We awarded contracts for the upgrade and development of transmission and distribution infrastructure, beginning with Phase One of the project.
Through the Presidential Power Initiative, Imo secured a 63MVA, 132/33kV Mobitra transmission substation, which is currently being installed. We have reactivated the Okigwe Transmission Station, and work is ongoing for the deployment of a 60MVA transformer at that location.

“At the heart of this transformation is the 50km, 132kV transmission line from the Egbu station to Orlu, designed to energise a 2x60MVA, 132/33kV substation in Orlu. The line route has been cleared, tower foundations completed, and materials from China are expected in July. Once the towers arrive, we estimate a six-month timeline to commissioning. Upon completion, this line will significantly improve power supply to Orlu, Oru, Nkwerre, Nwangele and parts of Ideato.

“We are also constructing a 15km, 33kV line to New Owerri, with a 15MVA, 33/11kV injection substation to supply critical infrastructure, including the Government House, State Secretariat, and Concorde Hotel. Civil works are progressing steadily, and the transformer and high-voltage equipment are scheduled to arrive this July. Commissioning is expected shortly thereafter.

“Another line is under construction from Orlu Transmission Station to the State Polytechnic in Omuma. This will ensure constant power supply to the polytechnic, the surrounding towns and parts of Oru Nation.

“And, we are thinking beyond distribution, we are building grid resilience. The state is actively facilitating the construction of a 330kV transmission line from Alaoji (in Aba) to Owerri, and we are overseeing the completion of critical substation works at Egbu Transmission Station. These moves will ensure long-term bulk power transfer capacity into Imo. Let me restate for emphasis: the Light Up Imo Project is real, and it is on course,” he declared.

The dredging of the Orashi River is also one of the record breaking achievements of the Uzodimma-led administration. The project situated in Oguta, is geared towards creating an additional economic artery that will open up new corridors of trade, industrialization and connectivity. It will also enhance security, supported by the already established Naval Base in Oguta.

According to the governor, “The committee overseeing its execution has mapped out the timeline for the commencement of the first phase. The dredging route spans over 160 kilometres and is expected to be completed within 24 months. Let me assure this Honourable House and the good people of Imo that the Orashi River Dredging Project will be completed within the lifetime of this administration. These are just a few of the legacies we are going to be leaving behind. To me, they are not just projects, they are signposts of progress. They are redefining our physical and economic landscape and heralding a new Imo that is confident, connected, and competitive.”

As he etches his name into the annals of history in our dear state, Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma continues to authenticate himself as the Imo State ‘one in a lifetime Governor.’

Ebegbulem is a veteran journalist writes from Owerri