Tuesday, October 7, 2014

H.E Owelle Rochas Okorocha Governor of Imo State, Nigeria. I write you this letter in overriding public interest as a citizen, indigene and member of Ihiagwa Community in Owerri west LGA. It is not on any other platform, my letter is also informed by the spirit of open government which democracy seeks to promote in any society including Nigeria, where it is our choice for governance. Above all, my letter is a statement on the confidence that I and our communities have in your ability to intervene and address problems like ours in the road sector. This confidence is built on the reported track record of your achievements in construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation of roads in the state since you assumed office to rescue Imo State. The examples are many and visible for even the worst critics of the administration to see and appreciate. Your Exellency, may I painfully inform you that Nekede/Ihiagwa to Eziobodo housing two major institutions in the state, is presently almost cut off from the rest of the city. The only major road that connects These communities (Okolochi, Emeabiam, Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, Nekede) with the rest of the City is in a deplorable state. This road has been neglected for over 12 years. It has no major obstacles like bridges or difficult terrain .The only problem of the road over these years can easily be traced to promises made and promises broken! Sir, for us, it is a sad commentary that a well-known community like ours reputed in history as the cradle of Owerri civilisation has found itself in such a sorry state in terms of bad road. Under its present terrible state, a journey from Owerri to Ihiagwa that should not last more than 10 minutes, now drags for over one hour. There is no doubt that the Ihiagwa - Nekede road in its current condition is perhaps the worst road in Imo state. And this is not an exaggeration. A trip on this road is a terrible experience that no one is prepared to recommend even to one’s worst enemy. This is why for some time now, many of us from Ihiagwa neither travel home nor risk the shame of inviting friends and well-wishers to visit our community. We hibernate in major cities across the country in regrets while our kits and kin at home especially commuters who must use the road on daily basis groan in fury and penury. In the same direction, transporting of farm produce which is in abundance in commercial quantity from Emeabiam, Okolochi, Eziobodo Ihiagwa in IMO State and the neighbouring communities is jeopardised. Other implications include poor access to medical care and help on similar emergencies in Ihiagwa and the affected communities with far reaching severe consequences on women and children, the old and the young. In November 2013, our joy knew no bounds when you visited our community, you even walked bare footed on the mud and said we will celebrate last Christmas with this same road. All of us went into jubilation believing that a “Daniel had finally come to judgment”. We thought that our pains, frustration anguish on the road were over. While publicly appreciating the State Government’s gesture, Ihiagwa in particular offered to provide any required assistance and support to the contractors to avoid stories and excuses in getting the important job done. Unfortunately, Your Excellency, it is sad, a big shame and disappointment that we have been failed, Your Excellency, another Christmas is by the corner. Ihiagwa community and her people that gave it an opportunity to make an important contribution to national development in that part of the state. We are utterly disappointed on the performance of the contractors if that road was actually awarded. While we have no information on what the specific problem may be, we have also seen no signs, equipment, skilled human manpower or any form of passionate commitment on the part of any company or Government to embark and complete this project. The character and performance of this company/government has eroded our confidence on the campaign to give equal opportunities. We are deeply concerned that our road has been rendered a failed project. Indeed, no one, not even the contractor, has offered any explanation for this shoddy performance. To worsen our situation, there appear to be some conspiracy of silence around this project. The suspicion of our community is high as all those who should speak out have chosen to keep quiet while the benefitting communities die slowly in silence. In the light of this unfortunate situation, I Chinedu Opara wishes to appeal for an urgent intervention of our Amiable Governor, Owelle Rochas, to institute a full investigation into circumstances that has led to this failed project if this project was awarded. I also request the Governor to do us a rare honour of visiting Ihiagwa, inspect this road to see things for himself because seeing is believing. We believe very strongly that our road will not remain the same after the third visit of the Governor. We suspect that reports from your field officers on this particular project are a fiction, anything but reality. Dear Governor, all that Ihiagwa-Nekede road requires to relieve our people from these decades of pain and bondage is a competent contractor to take over the project supported with good budgetary provision. And this is not difficult because the project is a very small one but with huge social economic benefits. As a major support base for your administration in Owerri East, Ihiagwa/Nekede as affected communities are ready and willing to offer assistance that may be required. We trust that this passionate request for your kind urgent intervention will attract your desired attention in the service of man and country. We think this is a legacy, you must leave behind. Thank you Your Excellency. Yours Faithfully Chinedu Felix Opara +234(0)8038399483 edugreatest@yahoo.com