By Jennifer John
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has described 2022 as an extremely challenging year for the government, people of the state, and the entire country, but posited that “We have every reason to thank God for sparing our lives to see the new year, 2023”.
Uzodimma made this assertion in his new year broadcast to the people of the state, on January 1st, 2023.
He however noted that the passing year was not just all about trials and survival, as according to him, many of the prayers of the government and people of the state were answered, even as some received special blessings from God.
He said on its part, the government was grateful that despite the monstrous challenge of insecurity, contrived to frustrate and cripple his administration, it was able to accomplish its objectives.
He listed some of the outstanding achievements including the construction and commissioning of the Owerri-Orlu Road and Owerri-Okigwe Road, several roads and other infrastructural projects accomplished last year, upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri to a University Teaching Hospital for the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO).
Others according to the governor included the Alvan Ikoku College of Education, “Which we got the federal government to take over as the Federal University of Education”, signing of Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Navy, for the dredging of Oguta Lake-Urashi River to the Atlantic Ocean, the establishment of a Naval Base at Oguta, wrestling security challenges and banditry to a standstill.
“The good news is that things are looking up and 2023 is likely to be better than 2022. We hope to complete the Owerri-Umuahia Road, the Orlu-Mgbee-Akokwa Road, and Oguta to Orlu Road. The security situation will continue to improve, as the few unrepentant ungodly people and their sponsors who want to continue to unleash violence in the state will be doing so at their peril”.
Uzodimma promised that the state will do better, generally in 2023 than in 2022, considering the budget of N474.4b tagged budget wealth creation and expansion which he has signed into law.
“This is a year to watch, it is the year that Imo people will look back and further appreciate this administration for keeping faith with its social contract with the people. We couldn’t have done much, if not for your support and prayers, which crowned our modest effort with success”.
Meanwhile, the governor who noted that 2023 is an election year, advised the Imo people to conduct themselves most peacefully; Before, during, and after the elections.
