-says: Imo never had it this bad before
by Martin Opara
A senior Owerri based lawyer and human rights activist, callistus Osondu of Ebubedike chambers, has taken a swipe at the Imo state governor, senator Hope Uzodinma for demolishing some of former governor Okorocha’s signature projects in a subtle attempt to erase his legacies, thereby inflicting Pain on Imo people who are helplessly watching in disappointment.
The fiery lawyer said this during an exclusive interview with Nigerian Watchdog Newspaper, in Owerri yesterday.
He noted that he has been in the state for a long time and witnessed the administrations of James Aneke, Tanko Zubairu, Achike Udenwa, Ikedi Ohakim, Rochas Okorocha and Chief Emeka Ihedioha, but has never seen a government that is as insensitive to the plight of the people, as the self acclaimed Hope Uzodinma shared prosperity government that has not only alienated it’s self from the people, but takes delight in unleashing pain, hardship, lack and deprivation on them.
He condemned the demolition of Somtochukwu hospital, built by Okorocha with public funds at the site of former Eke Ukwu Owerri, describing the action as an unnecessary waste of public funds and not Okorocha’s money.
He also said that, ‘governor Uzodinma had earlier pulled down the tunnel at the Imo state house of assembly junction that eased traffic flow, without making any effort to reconstruct it, hereby subjecting the people to frustrating traffic jam especially at peak periods,’ and from all indications, he is bent on demolishing virtually all projects constructed by Okorocha, in a desperate bid to erase his giant strides.’’
When told that according to the commissioner for commerce and industries, Egbuchulam,the governor demolished Somtochukwu hospital because it had become a hiding place for criminals and deviants, Barr Osundu said, ‘the reason they are giving is not only watery, but an indictment on the governor who has been unable to make good use of such gigantic facility built by his predecessor. If he didn’t want to use it as a hospital, for which it was built, he ought to have converted it to a more befitting and useful purpose,’’
He further said, ‘if they say that Okorocha built sub standard roads, where are the standard roads governor Uzodinma has built since he assumed office? He challenged anybody, including government’s officials to indicate a single project that was initiated and completed by the Hope Uzodinma administration, except those he inherited from his predecessors.
‘‘I expected the governor to dispassionately concentrate on consolidating on the achievements of his predecessors rather than hiding under different guises to demolish them because of alleged political differences and interest, sentiments,’’
The legal luminary who said he is not interested in holding any political appointment, but firmly believes that government at all levels owe the people, whose mandate they hold, good governance.
He called on the youths to courageously rise up and demand for good governance, stressing that, asking for good roads, electricity, pipe borne water, etc are not too much for government to provide, considering the billions of naira that accrue to the state government from federal allocations and funds due to the 27 local government councils, which the governor single handedly manages and disburses the way he wants.
‘As an activist, I will join and identify with the youths in making these demands and heavens will not fall.’ Speaking on the 6billion naira with which the governor promised to empower Imo youths, Osondu said, he does not believe the money will be used for the purpose for which it was marked because the process is neither transparent nor well articulated.’’
