Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has disclosed that he has given approval for the restoration of Ekeukwu Owerri to an international market on a 30:70 share basis with investors.
He said the new arrangement on the project will protect the interests of the indigenes, the local government and state as stakeholders.
The Governor made this disclosure when he received some All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from the the nine local government areas of Owerri zone at the government house.
He complimented Owerri people in particular and the zone in general for their eagerness to support the policies and programmes of the state government under his leadership.
He said he was in the process of correcting the wrongs against them by past administration, stressing the importance of unity and synergy that would create an alliance between them and government to enable them achieve the same goals.
He stated categorically that he was not a greedy man who is interested in acquiring any plot belonging to Owerri people for himself, but rather for the development of the capital city and restoration of the master plan.
He warned against encroachment into government lands such as was being done by indigenes on Otamiri River area, Nekede zoo and others where government lands were parcelled for farming.
The governor maintained that he would not hesitate to send bulldozers to those places because he was going to implement the recommendations of the Duruoha Igwe judicial panel of inquiry on lands to the letter.
Earlier, the stakeholders led by Prince Lemmy Akakem, reaffirmed the support of the zone the Uzodimma led administration as they commended him for recovering the lost glory of various sectors of the state, especially the civil service, infrastructural and health sectors, as well as appointment of persons from the zone into his cabinet.
The stakeholders included present and past political leaders from Owerri zone; Dr. Ada Okwuonu, former deputy governor, Rt Honourable Noel Agwuocha Chukwukadibia, former Speaker, Chief Ernest lbezimako,former federal House of Representatives member, lady Ann Dozie, former commissioner, among others.
