By Kelechi Ugo
The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Imo State, Imo State, Hon (Mrs) Josephine Ugorji has revealed that she magnanimously relinquished the ongoing rural roads construction project in Ideato North Council Area to indigenous contractors in order to compliment the “job, job” mantra initiated by governor Rochas Okorocha led rescue mission administration in Imo State.
Inspecting some of the roads last weekend, Hon Udorji disclosed that Imo State Government approved construction of Thirty three (33km) rural roads in Ideato North LGA at contract worth of over two billion naira. She noted that she distanced herself from handling the contract despite that she hails from the council area, but however allowed the contract to be handled by indigenes as part of empowerment scheme to her people.
The works and transport commissioner commended the executive governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha for giving her a platform to showcase her wealth of experiences. “I thank God for the opportunity given to me by His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to be part of this success story. My promise to Imolites when I was appointed the Works and Transport Commissioner was that I am going to fix the roads, make them motorable. Today, we have been able to fix all the dilapidated roads. I have received recommendations from the governor and SGI. I am doing my best by the special grace of God. His Excellency graciously approved 33km of roads with drainage.
As the commissioner for works and transport and daughter of the soil, I have handed over the contract to the contractors. This is simultaneously ongoing in seven different locations in Ideato North. My joy is that all these contracts are given to sons and daughters of Ideato North. This is inline with “job, job” of the current rescue mission government. It is a kind of empowerment scheme. Everybody cannot benefit from white cola job at the same time. Nobody outside this council area is eligible to handle any of these road contracts unless there is need to consult experts who will come from my ministry”, She said. The woman commissioner added that the projects will be soon completed so as to avert construction constraints associate with rainy season.
Speaking to newsmen, one of the contractors and Imo State organizing secretary of All Progressive Congress (APC) Hon Chief Clement Anozie (Omeremba of Akaokwa) said, “We have road construction revolution in Ideato North under the supervision of Honourable Commissioner for Works and Transport. We have over 33km of roads with drainages to be tarred in Ideato North. And I am happy to be one of the contractors. I have contract of 4km of road to be completed in the next few months. This has never happened in the Ideato nation. This is under the guardian of Works and Transport Commissioner. Ideato people should thank Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Hon Josephine Udorji is our leader in this local government area”.
Another contractor, Hon Chukwuemeka Eze who is handling Osina Obodoukwu road described Governor Rochas Okorocha as a special governor for approving billions of naira for construction of rural roads.
Hon Eze who is the State Development Council coordinator of Osina Ward and also a contractor with Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) noted that he will showcase his wealth of experience which he acquired from the federal ministry of works. “I will complete this contract in the next two weeks. I want to show my people what I can do. I have handled many contracts ranging from last three decades” the SDC coordinator said.
