11th September, 2022
Despite threats by the Indigenous People of Biafara, IPOB, the people of Imo are looking forward with excitement to the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state to commission some projects executed by Governor Hope Uzodimma on Tuesday.
The projects listed for commissioning by the President are the dualized Owerri-Orlu Road, the phase one of Owerri- Okigwe road and the rebuilt ultra modern Imo State House of Assembly Complex.
However, secessionist group IPOB had declared a lockdown on all the states of Southeast on Tuesday which also coincided with the day its leader Nnamdi Kanu will appear at the court of appeal in Abuja.
The secessionist group had specifically warned dignitaries in Imo to stay at home and not to be part of reception for President Buhari.
However, Imo the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba in a statement on Sunday assured that every arrangement to ensure a hitch free visit of Mr. President has been put in place .
“An atmosphere of festivities and excitement now pervades every part of Imo State as the Government and people prepare for the second official visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state on Tuesday, September 13, 2022,” the Commissioner said.
He added many town union presidents, market women associations and road transport workers unions have called in to express their gratitude to the governor for fixing the two major roads of Owerri to Orlu and Owerri to Okigwe, which have remained unmortorable for decades.
“They also expressed excitement that the President is coming himself to commission them. They confessed that the new roads have positively impacted their businesses.”
He reiterated that the President is expected to commission three landmark projects executed by Governor Hope Uzodimma in less than three years.
The statement noted that the visit, which is the President’s second to Imo is a sign that Governor Uzodimma is doing well.