By Obi Trice Emeka
During my undergraduate days, I had this Professor who was fond of using this expression: “The internal combustion engine has been invented.” This was an unusual way to say that all that’s needed to enable success is already with us and there’s no need straining ourselves to invent anything groundbreaking or revolutionary. The comparison being that the internal combustion engine has revolutionized the world and more than 100 years after its invention all machines still rely on it.
Seeing all what HE Hope Uzodimma has been able to do in six months, I began to appreciate the words of my Professor. Truly, all that’s needed to succeed is with us. A Nigerian local parlance sums it up “Don’t go to Sokoto to search for what’s in Shokoto.” It only takes smart thinking to find solutions, and solutions are often simplicity rather than the complex things we imagine.
Every raining season always herald the nightmare season in Owerri as residents grow in anxiety over the effects of flooding in the town. Roads and houses become submerged and businesses run into bankruptcy. What did his Excellency do? He dredged the major drainages around Lake Nwaebere with the understanding that the Lake is responsible for 50% of the flooding in Owerri. Today, Owerri is flood free. Smart thinking, simple solutions the hallmark of the government of shared prosperity.
Same thing happened at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Umunna Orlu Roundabout, a road that the previous administrations had succumbed to. It took few months for the government of Shared Prosperity to get it back on track and travelers can’t hide their joy. The Statesman Newspapers is back to the stands and creating jobs. Previously, it was a tough nut to crack. Smart thinking made it easy.
Public water supply has always being a luxury to residents of Owerri. Smart thinking and simple solutions is reviving the Otamiri water scheme and for the first time in 26 years, water is flowing through the public water pipes in Owerri. Same thinking is reviving a once moribund Adapalms.
It’s the same smart thinking that’s resolving the security situation in Imo state by providing 100 patrol vehicles for security agents and ensuring the emergency toll number – 112 – is functional. Simple and smart solution also provided 30 Ambulances for hospitals in the state.
The Imo state IGR has through smart thinking and simple solutions increased from N600m to N1.2b monthly within few months, a feat which many will think unachievable. This was done without increasing taxes or introducing new one. With smart thinking anything is possible. There are plans to take it up to N5B. Smart thinking, simple solutions
Previously, the roofs in the 10 blocks civil service secretariat were all leaking and working environment unhygienic with neither power nor water supply. As usual, smart thinking and simple solutions came to the rescue. The 10 blocks have all been re-roofed and being repainted. Water and Electricity supply have been restored to the blocks and it has been dignified for humans to work smartly in.