v Says: Orlu underdeveloped despite producing 3 Govs.
-Commends governor’s visit to IMSUTH
By Martin Opara
Orlu Progressive Assembly (OPA) a political pressure group comprising high profile personalities of Orlu zone extraction in different areas of human endeavour, has frowned at the level of infrastructural decay in the zone and called on the state government to urgently address the situation to avoid attendant hazards and reduce the suffering of the people.
The group also thanked Governor Hope Uzodinma for responding to their passionate appeal about the deplorable state of facilities at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu by visiting the institution to personally assess the situation.
This was contained in a communiqué signed by the National President,former APGA senatorial aspirant resident in the United States,Chief Chris Oguike and National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Barr. Ifeanyi Olumba and made available to Tuesday NIGERIA WATCHDOG after the group’s two hour virtual meeting on November 9th 2020.
They commended the state governor for assuring that the IMSUTH which is at the verge of losing operational licence to graduate medical students will soon regain it’s lost glory as all nagging issues will be addressed and necessary steps taken to ensure that the students graduate as and at when due.
They however, regretted that Orlu zone, despite the rare privilege of having successively produced three governors, still has the most terrible road network in the state as a result of abandonment by previous administrations.
“Much as we do not blame Gov. Uzodinma for the dilapidated and terrible road network in Orlu zone, because he has been in office for less than one year, we however urge him to kick start the remedial process without delay”.
“We are touched by the suffering, hardship and socio-economic stagnation of our people. It is pathetic and heart rending that majority of those in authority over the years lacked the sincerity, commitment and dedication to do the needful and change the narrative”.
The political pressure group consisting of prominent sons and daughters, passionate about the comprehensive development of Orlu zone, noted that it is an aberration that despite producing three governors in quick succession, most roads, houses, markets and other facilities, including former governor Okorocha’s home at Ogboko in Ideato South L.G.A are threatened by erosion and flood, while some communities have, aside being cut off from others, are not no longer motorable.
“This sad development has negatively affected commercial activities and subsequently impeded the socio-economic, well being of the people, resulting in poverty, hardship, lack, and deprivation”. They urged Governor Uzodinma to ensure that the Owerri-Orlu road and other major link roads abandoned by his predecessors are rehabilitated without delay.
OPA also drew the governor’s attention to the Umuaka Bridge which has become a potential danger spot as it is fast caving in. The bridge, they said should be put in good shape soonest to avert loss of lives as the yuletide approaches.
The group also called on the governor to ensure that banks in Orlu resume and operate for the same number of hours like those in other towns, instead of offering skeletal services and closing at 2pm as has been the case for many years now. They described the explanation hinged on insecurity as an indictment on leaders of the zone.
OPA also called for the speedy relocation of the Imo State Polytechnic to Orlu, as originally planned, considering the fact that the zone despite having 12 LGAs, does not have a single viable tertiary institution, while Owerri zone with 9 LGAs, has over six tertiary institutions.
“Instead of the agitation rancour and acrimony that has trailed the proposed relocation of the Polytechnic to the governor’s community, Omuma, we suggest that the institution be relocated to Orlu as originally planned while some faculties and departments be relocated to Omuma and other campuses”.
Recall, that OPA had in a passionate Save Our Soul message, appealed to the Governor to address the myriad of problems confronting IMSUTH, including infrastructural decay that is threatening its continued operation as a medical tertiary institution.
Fortunately, their appeal attracted the governor’s attention, hence he visited the institution recently and assured of prompt and necessary remedial attention.
