Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is probably on another tectonic trip to establish a deep well of economic tap and employment mill for the ambitious and steadfast youths of Imo State and beyond.
Frankly, the doggedness of Imo Governor Uzodimma in convincing President Muhammadu Buhari into the approval of dredging the two rivers of Oguta and Orashi and the location of the lingering Naval Base, which was approved for the State, since 1991, is utterly commendable.
It may be strategically correct that the vitality of the project must have spured the Imo Government into a quick drive for its realisation before the expiration of the current federal government under the watch of president Muhammadu Buhari; hence, the speedy take-off which occasioned the official flag-off of the hypographic survey and dredging of the sea route, stretching from Oguta Lake to Orashi River, to Degema in River State and headed to Atlantic Ocean, by the nation’s vice president, Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Buhari on Thursday May 10, 2023.
Analytically, the hydro-graphic survey and dredging is to determine the mapping and debt of the entire distance from Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean. The nautical chats and publications that will be developed from the survey will according to experts be most valuable in aiding maritime security agencies on surveillance and security objectives.
Obviously, Governor Uzodimma had earlier secured from same Federal Government, endorsements to uplift Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri to Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri; Alvan Ikoku College of Education to Federal University of Education and an approval to establish Oil Reclamation Programme and and a Gas Free Trade Zone in Imo State.
These indomitable achievements are definitely holding its anchorage on pragmatism, patriotism and a burning desire to offer a transformational and proactive people-centered governance to the masses.
These homogeneous service and project achievements in the State, summarily eulogises and re-enacts Governor Uzodimma’s fundamental assertion during his first stakeholders’ meeting with Imo leaders on June 12, 2020, wherein he informed of his covenant with God to govern Imo for the good of the people.
Historically, the idea of dredging the Oguta blue lake and Orashi river have been a campaign and propaganda verse politicians and past State administrations, since the creation of Imo State in 1976, but unfortunately, all the successive administrations of the post-Imo birth had only paid lip services to this valuable project, until three years ago, when Hope Uzodimma emerged as the governor of Imo State and faced the daunting challenge squarely with a patriotic spirit and subsequently won president Buhari’s interest; hence, the approval and immediate take-off of the project.
The deserving testimonial is that the present administration has been able to undertake this laudable project which previous administrations were unable to do in Imo’s post-creation life of about 42 years.
Therefore, the initiators and facilitators of this massive and compound developmental stride have indeed written their names in gold and will fondly be remembered by the good side of history with the impressive appellations of record breakers and history makers.
Since the overall objective of the project is creating economic growth and a secured environment for people within and around the project zone. The project is therefore a golden opportunity to eradicate poverty and as well improve the welfare and prosperity of the local communities within the area and environs.
With the successful dredging of the Oguta and Orashi rivers straight to Degema in Rivers State and down to the Atlantic Ocean, windows of investment opportunities will open in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones of Nigeria, especially communities and towns around the project waterways for easy movement of vessels both the big and small, the pirates and many others.
It will further boost the economy and make for more job creation opportunities.
For instance, It is asserted by experts that the project, from Start to completion will employ over one million workers both skilled and unskilled. It would also afford Imo the opportunity to maximize its economic potentials by facilitating the gas industrialisation of the state.
Another attendant benefit of the project is that when completed, it will enhance the establishment of an Industrial cluster, leveraging on the gas deposits and other natural resources in the area.
Dredging of the Oguta and Orashi rivers will provide over two million direct and indirect jobs to the masses upon completion and as well improve the welfare, security and prosperity of citizens and the initiative was probably premised on such intention.
It is equally apt to inform that the opening of the Rivers would, in no way hamper or distort community’s sacred ancestral beliefs, cultures and traditions and as such the various communities residing along the project waterways should therefore support the project.
The Nigerian Inland Waterways Agency (NIWA), may have started intensifying efforts in marketing the project’s opportunities to investors in Nigeria and abroad. Suggestively, it will be most necessary for NIWA to patronise this laudable project to avoid the siltation of the dredged channels where sands fill can block the channels if they are not used.
Optimistically, many investors must have started indicating interests to patronise the dredged channels, if completed.
For instance, the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for African Development (AUDA-NEPAD) conveyed its readiness to collaborate with the federal government and Imo state government in ensuring the realisation of the objectives of the dredging project.
The AUDA-NEPAD also through its Chief Executive Officer, Gloria Akobundu, described the project as innovative and timely and held that the organisation was ready to offer necessary assistance in the area of mobilisation of funds and technical assistance to see that the dream of constructing the seaport was realised.
Ofcourse, with the Nigerian Navy on constant swim and drive criss-crossing the waterways; security situation of the area is expected to be air-tight and most efficacious.
However, while applauding Governor Uzodimma’s achievement zeal, anchored on patriotism, it is also on good record that he has among other landmark infrastructural developments, done very well on solid and durable road constructions and rehabilitations which includes Owerri-Orlu, Owerri-Okigwe, Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia, Orlu-Mgbee-Akokwa-Uga, Oguta-Okporo-Orlu roads and the Amaraku-Umunkwo-Amauzari road, currently under construction. Plus, the ongoing construction of 135 kilometres of local roads across the 27 local government Areas of the state.
Bright Okereke is the Managing Editor, News Echo Newspapers and writes from Owerri.
