In the concluding remarks of an earlier article on shared prosperity, I observed that the shared prosperity catchphrase of HE, Senator Hope Uzodimma has begun to resonate in every sector of the State. An attempt will be made to look at a couple of these sectors starting with road construction.
Several months ago, car owners and non-car owners resident in Owerri will tell you how they hate to see the rains. Certainly not because they are allergic to rains, but because of what it means for their cars and movement within the city: flooding and the attendant danger of spoiling cars and even drowning.
From Douglas to Wetheral down to MCC and through Bank Road, the word nightmare usually became personified anytime it rained.
This was due directly to the negligence of past administrations that preferred to engage in quick fixes like painting and roofing the roads rather than identifying the root and remote causes of the endless floodings in the City of Owerri. This was okay by the past administration, after all the catchphrase was ‘ familiocracy’ or ‘ government of the few, for the few’.
However, things have taken a different turn today as a man who understands governance is now in charge. In his words ‘ the first assignment was to get to the root cause of the flooding. From my needs assessment, I discovered that the solution was in the dredging and maintenance of Lake Nwaebere responsible for almost 50 percent of the massive flooding. The need for desilting of major drainage tunnels in the area was also identified’.
We understand that the construction of roads in the City of Owerri now comes with due attention to drainages. The dredging of rivers, opening up of neglected waterways and the insertion of underground water outlets have become priority points in awarding and constructing roads in the State. Clearly, a manifestation of shared prosperity.
Even the biggest critics of the governor are appreciative of this feat. The impacts of stopping needless flooding in the state will have huge economic benefits for everyone. The quality of the roads will not leave anyone in doubt about how intentional the governor is with changing the face of the state for good. The sweetness of the pudding they say, is in the eating. The shared prosperity government is still six months old and the tangible deliverables on road construction and flood control have started trickling in. There will be no harm in forecasting that as time progresses, the trickles will turn to heavy downpours, to the benefit of the good people of Imo State. Interesting times are here.
Nwachukwu Stephen writes from Owerri.
