The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the State Governor, Hope Uzodinma to be bold enough to disclose to the people of the State how much was spent in the construction of the Assumpta single-lane interchange flyover and Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Center EIICC, which was being commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his visit to the State.
The party insisted that it is imperative for the State Government to make known total amount of money that was used in building the projects if at all the State Government believes in transparency.
The party made the demand in a press statement issued by its Spokesperson, Lancelot Obiaku, stating that the newly commissioned projects are another indication of alleged criminal tendencies of the State Government under Uzodinma’s administration.
Imo PDP in the press statement maintained that under Uzodimma’s leadership, the Public Procurement Bureau in the state had been rendered obsolete, accusing the Governor of allegedly arrogating to himself exclusive authority to appropriate, initiate, and procure government contracts.
The PDP alleged that governor’s actions were deliberately kept undisclosed, to cover what the party described as monumental corruption in them, and reducing governance to a private enterprise.
Obiaku, described the activities surrounding the commissioning of the projects as a fanfare and advertising of administrative corruption.
He pointed out that Imo citizens are gnashing their teeth and counting their losses over what he described as reckless plunder of their commonwealth by the present administration.
Obiaku further accused the Governor of wasting billions erecting a few new edifices in the city, while public schools and health facilities remain in shambles, key urban and rural roads being neglected as citizens struggle daily to eke out a living.
The PDP Spokesperson, noted that it is a disturbing reality that, due to the deplorable condition of roads across Imo Communities, many residents now dread visiting their villages.
He maintained that PDP is aware that the State is in dire need of standard public infrastructure, stating that it is pertinent certain questions must be asked why a Government that has been in power for nearly six years continues to ignore critical city roads and a myriad of death trap roads in rural communities, choosing instead to invest in what he described as secondary projects.
“For example, just a stone’s throw from the Assumpta flyover is the Umuguma road, which has become a death trap. With the rapid population growth in the Umuguma suburb, which also houses a Federal Housing Estate, one would have expected the State Government to prioritize fixing such an important road.
” Also at the city centre are roads leading to the Ahiajoku Convention Centre and Saga Suites in New Owerri, from Hospital Junction and Ebere Links at Port Harcourt Road, which are in appalling condition.” the release outlined.
Obiaku further pointed out that Nekede-Ihiagwa road, which leads to the Federal Polytechnic Nekede and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri ,FUTO, from Naze, remains practically impassable not excluding other deplorable roads within a six- to eight-kilometre radius from the Government House.
The party also stated that it is worrisome that virtually all roads within the capital city are a disgrace to behold, criticizing the State Government for allegedly spending billions of taxpayers’ money to host the President and celebrate projects it has not accounted for, to the detriment of critical sectors of the State’s economy.
PDP , challenged the State Government to publish the actual costs of the flyover and Conference Centre so that citizens of the State can judge for themselves whether the administration truly means well for the State.
“We will not hesitate to make our findings about these projects known to the public sooner than later.”the party added.
Tell Imo people how much you spent on newly commissioned projects – PDP to Uzodinma
