IMO ASSEMBLY WANTS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN OKIGWE LGA REHABILITATED

While commending the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for rehabilitating major infrastructure across the State, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged the Imo State Government to extend same rehabilitation to some critical infrastructure in Okigwe local government area.

This was as a result of the Motion Chiefly sponsored by the Member Representing Okigwe State Constituency, Hon Chief Chidiebere Samuel Ogbunikpa, during Plenary on Tuesday 04/03/2025.

Presenting the Motion, Hon Chidiebere Ogbunikpa noted that it has two legs, namely : the rehabilitation of Okigwe urban roads, while the second leg is the rehabilitation of the township stadium.

Hon Ogbunikpa commended Governor Uzodimma for graciously rehabilitating the major Okigwe-Owerri road leading into Okigwe from Owerri, which was earlier abandoned by previous administrations.

However, the Okigwe lawmaker explained that he sponsored the Motion as a result of complaints from his Constituents concerning some roads and streets in Okigwe town, which were not only in deplorable condition but impassable, due to the facts that they were abandoned by previous administrations. According to Hon Chidiebere Ogbunikpa, some of these roads and streets included : Ike road, Umuchima road , Ubaha road, Opara road, Elezuo street, Eze street etc.

The Ranking lawmaker, while asking for palliative work to be done on the above mentioned roads, before the rains set in, also bemoaned the deplorable condition of the only Stadium in Okigwe town.

In his words, the lawmaker noted “that Heartland Football Club, at some point, has hosted other football clubs at Okigwe Township Stadium and won most of their matches in that Stadium, which brought Imo State on the limelight, both Nationally and Internationally, but the Stadium is now in deplorable condition”.

While calling on his Distinguished Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices to the Motion, the Okigwe lawmaker stated that “Good Network of roads, streets and Stadium play vital roles in the development of an area economically, socially and politically”.

The Motion which was seconded by the Member Representing Onuimo State Constituency, Hon Chief James Uba Esile, was co-sponsored by the following lawmakers :

1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.
2. Hon James Uba Esile.
3. Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh.
4. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.
5. Hon Sam Osuji.
6. Hon Dominic Ezerioha.

The following lawmakers supported the Motion :

1. Hon Sir Clinton Amadi (Owerri Municipal).
2. Hon Chief James Uba Esile (Onuimo).
3. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh-Mbaise).
4. Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi, Majority Leader (Owerri-west).
5. Hon Engr Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano).
6. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano).
7. Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru).
8. Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).
9. Hon Dr Uzoma Francis Osuoha (Ohaji-Egbema).

In their respective submissions, they commended the mover, noting that Okigwe, as one of the three cities of the State, deserves the attention of the State Government. Especially, as the Governor has done well in urban renewal programme. They further stated that since Okigwe Township Stadium will serve as a shock absorber to the Stadium in Owerri, everything should be done to ensure the rehabilitation of Okigwe Township Stadium. This, they stated was to reduce pressure on Owerri. “If the town in Orlu and Okigwe are developed qualitatively, there will be less pressure in Owerri, as people might decide to be operating from those cities”. They therefore urged that adequate attention of the Governor be drawn to the deplorable condition of the mentioned roads and that of the stadium, so that the needful would be done.

Impressed with the superlative submissions of his Honourable Colleagues, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :

• Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma To Rehabilitate The Okigwe Township Stadium, As A Matter Of Urgency, So that’s Football Matches Can Be Played There Once Again.
• Be It Also Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma To, As A Matter Of Urgency, Direct The Ministry Of Works And Other Relevant Agencies To Carry Out Palliative Work On The Okigwe Urban Roads, Especially, Those Aforementioned, Before The Rainy Season, As A Temporary Measure And Further Consider The Complete Rehabilitation Of The Roads.

The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.

Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha Writes from IMHA Owerri.