“The fact that Orlu zone has occupied the governorship position in Imo State for almost 24 years and has called the shots in virtually a sectors longer than Okigwe and Owerri zones put together, does not in any way reflect in the socio-economic development of the area, considering the fact that virtually all state and federal government projects are located in Owerri that has been the seat of power”.
Comrade Nnamdi Samson Achi, a human right activist and social crusader stated this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, the state capital recently.
The Orlu born entrepreneur expressed disappointment that desperate having produced three Governors that have as at today, served a total of 21 years since the advent of the 4th republic, the zone has nothing commensurate in terms of developmental projects to show for it. Hence, indigenous of the zone are still lamenting and gnashing their teeth.
Orlu’s many years in power he said, does not reflect in current road infrastructure, education, social services and other facets of development. He maintained that Orlu people are supposed to enjoy democratic dividends for occupying the leadership position longer than other zones.
According to him, almost all Federal Government projects are situated in Owerri, including the four tertiary institutions (Federal University of Technology Owerri, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Federal College Of Land Resources Technology, Federal Polytechnic Nekede) the Federal Medical Center and newly proposed FUTO Teaching Hospital.
He lamented that in the entire Orlu zone, one cannot find thirty kilometers of roads that are in good condition, despite having produced governors more than other zones in the state. Infrastructures, he said, are mainly situated in Owerri zone, even the newly dualized Owerri-Orlu road leads to Orlu from Owerri but has 65% of it situated in Owerri zone.
He emphasized that terrible roads, insecurity and poor level of developments in Orlu have crippled the economic development of the zone and driven investors far away from Orlu environs, hence the reason for threatening level of hardship therein.
His words “Ndi Orlu wants to see the impact of having Orlu son in power. Developments should not be limited to the capital city. We are desirous of Federal presence in Orlu. We want to enjoy good road networks in Orlu. We want factories and industries in Orlu. We want to have constant power supply in orlu. We want our businesses to thrive. We want to breath the air of power”.
He therefore urged Gov. Hope Uzodinma to utilize his executive position and fast track development in Orlu, adding that he should use the remaining part of his second tenure to write his name in gold and leave a worthy legacy as a true son of the soil who worked for his people as supposed, to bring a positive turnaround in the zone.
