My approach to this week’s edition of Agwodinuju column will wear a different colour from the usual style. Instead of dealing with a single topic, I will reflect on several issues where there would be short stakes. Therefore, I am branding this week’s topic “Random Mudsling”. This sampling will afford me the opportunity to touch certain contemporary matters affecting socio-political developments in the state and to a large extent, our dear country.
Beginning this topic is what I will brand ARTHUR FRANCIS NZERIBE AGAIN! After many keen political watchers of events in Imo State had thought that the ageing maverick politician has gone into hibernation, the Oshiji, Damanze of Oguta roared back in his usual controversial style. The Senator who represented Orlu Zone a record three times and noted for his infamous role during the botched 1993 presidential election, came out smocking again last week when he stirred the hornets nest. In a publicized interview, Senator Nzeribe posited that Igbo cannot have presidency in 2015. As usual, Nzeribe’s comments did not pass unnoticed as protagonists of Igbo Presidency in 2015 and Nde Igbo crusaders responded with vituperative attacks.
In my write-up, I will neither bother to discuss reasons and arguments behind the outburst of the seasoned politician nor deliberate on issues raised by his challengers. My views will reflect on the man Nzeribe, his health condition and current approach to issues. I was opportune to be at a function he was present few months ago. I took time to fix my eyes on him seated at the VIP pavilion. While other top shots who were also present took the microphone to address the audience, Nzeribe was quiet and maintained a statue posture. I recalled with great nostalgia the stunts pulled by this outstanding politician in the past. Even as the subject of discussion affected him, Chief Nzeribe remained unperturbed in his posture. No smiles, no laugh and no comment became his trademark. I was troubled. Few moments later, the pale-looking Ogbuagu title holder quietly stood up and took his exit from the hall. As I watched him pick his steps out, I almost broke down in tears watching the man fondly called “Onyirimba” “the person that overcame the people” assisted by aides manage to take his leave. A waiting vehicle was outside to pick him.
At that moment, I began to reflect on Nzeribe’s past. I began to experience tales of Nzeribe’s fame as a toddler. I recalled that it was common during the early 80’s to always associate any low-flying jet or aircraft to that of Arthur Nzeribe, the flamboyant Nigeria Peoples Party, NPP, stalwart and Senatorial candidate who added glamour to party politics.
The Oguta-born politician injected robust politicking to partisan politics in Imo state. He began politicking and grassroots campaign with jest and helicopters. One of it landed in my town in those hey days when Sam Mbakwe and RBK Okafor of blessed memory held sway. The rest is history.
Some years ago, there were reports that Nzeribe is threatened by failing health as death rumours were recurring. What however surprised many about Nzeribe’s recent comment was that he may have overcome bad health to join the fray in political permutations for 2015. Above all, whose interest is Nzeribe protecting in his claims that Ndi Igbo should forget 2015 Presidency? However, the former Member of the National Assembly seems to be sending warning signal to contemporaries and political foes who think “he is finished”. Senator Nzeribe is trying to make real his belief that is translated into a song that “Onye akpala nwa agu aka no odu, ma odi ndu, ma onwuru anwu”, meaning (Nobody should touch the tail of a lion whether it is alive or dead).
RESCUE MISSION AND NEW LOOK OWERRI
There is need to commend some eye-popping developments in Owerri, the Imo state capital, courtesy of the Rescue Mission government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Apart from opening of new roads and asphalting of some access roads within the municipality, a fundamental aspect of the project is the installation of street lights on some major roads. Yours truly is a living witness to this transformation on popular access ways like Wetheral and Bank Roads.
The availability of these streets light has improved night life and driving on the affected roads in the evening hours. I was one of those who poured invectives on the State Governor for jettisoning the spirit of continuity in governance. For a year plus that Okorocha was at the helm of affairs, he disregarded whatever was put in place by his predecessors. Part of developmental strides abandoned by the Governor was street lights. To delete the records of past Governors, nothing worked in the state capital. I remember during the Ohakim era, that both Orlu-Road-Amakohia to Akwakuma had constant street lights that glitter in the night. Same applies to Okigwe road as well as some roads in the state capital like the Yar Adua Drive. But they were in comatose when Okorocha came into power. The Governor seems to have made a volte-face about his “discontinuity mission”. All the affected street lights are back to life. In other areas where the night lights were absent, new fanciful street lights have been installed. Though tongues are wagging that it is “China made” as the street light does not provide the needed light services, but restoring the street lights is a welcome development and the Governor deserves kudos for that.
From all indications, it seems that Okorocha is Ohakim’s “Clean and Green” compliant. Taking into consideration the recent beautification exercises being undertaken by the Owerri Capital Development Authority, OCDA, there is no gain saying in the fact that Okorocha wants to continue from where his immediate predecessor stopped in terms of green shades and beautification.
However, the attention of the state government and concerned authorities must be drawn to poor state of roads constructed in the state capital by the present administration. Some are wearing pitiable look even when it has not been officially put into use. Again, some of the newly constructed roundabouts at major points should also be put in proper shape. Since the present government seems to be roundabout-maniac, efforts be made to make it motorable. At the Orlu/Warehouse Bank Road and IMSU Junction/Works Layout/Okigwe Road Roundabouts, there are glaring contours on the surface which poses great danger to motorists. I don’t think that the ultimate is erecting roundabouts. Rather what would gladden the heart of road users is making the road accessible. Moreso, the street cleaners seem to have gone on break as major roads are beginning to be unkempt.
STILL ON THE ACTIVITIES OF IMTSMA
On Monday 24th July 2013, a sad incident occurred on World Bank/House of Assembly road, near First Bank office on PortHarcourt Road, Owerri. A public bus belonging to a transport company, Peace Mass Transit, coming from PortHarcourt, Rivers State had a head on collision with a blue and white coloured bus used as operational vehicle by traffic task force of the Imo State Traffic Management Authority (ISTMA).
Though no life was lost, but the accident caused traffic gridlock and cluster of passers-by who discussed the crash. Yours truly was part of the first time callers at the scene of the incident. One of the occupants of the Lagos bound Peace Mass Transit disclosed that in an attempt to use the Yar Adua Road by pass to Onitsha road, their vehicle driver who was unfamiliar to the Owerri road network missed his way and followed a one-way traffic road. In the process, a bus stationed by the roadside and said to be carrying ISTMA task force moved in to check their vehicle. In the process, there was a head-on-collision. The two vehicles experienced severe face damages while some occupants sustained some degrees of injuries. While the Lagos bound passengers disembarked and ended their journey in Owerri, traffic policemen from nearby New Owerri Police Station came with their tapes and other traffic appurtenances for investigation.
I belong to the group who strongly welcomed the establishment of ISTMA. Having observed driving discipline impacted on road users in Lagos and other states where similar outfits existed, I heralded ISTMA existence with shouts of joy. However, I was also one of those who lamented over their modus operandi and thumbed up for our dear Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha for suspending ISTMA operations some months ago after a trial operation. How and when the embargo was lifted for the Chief Don Onwukaike-led organization remained a puzzle as ISTMA bounced back on the roads unannounced.
My dislike for their operations prompted me to comment on the ISTMA operation in this column. Thinking that my views and that of other contributors and commentators would be put into use, ISTMA bounced back with the same old-fashioned operational tendencies that evoked public outcry. It was the public outcry that forced the Governor to suspend its activities.
When I reached the scene of the accident involving Peace Mass Transit bus and that of ISTMA operatives, I blamed the driver of the Lagos bound but for disobeying traffic rules and operating a one-way route. Ignorance of road network of any area is not an excuse for traffic offence. I was however piqued that ISTMA as usual adopted a wrong approach considered to be outrageous in checking traffic offenders. It was theatre of absurdities that in trying to check an offender, ISTMA officials adopted a retrogressive approach which is not only led to injuries but would have claimed lives of the occupants of the two vehicles involved in the crash. There would have been appropriate ways to apprehend traffic offenders than the ambush approach and face-to-face vehicle confrontation that may lead to loss of lives. The movements, private and official schedules of the Peace Mass Transit occupants were cut short in Owerri, leaving them stranded and no option than to seek alternative means to continue their journey to Lagos. Those who had no other transport fare and hospitalized due to the head on collision bemoaned their fate. I strongly believe that ISTMA has not risen to the challenges facing it and seems to be paying lip service to traffic ordeals faced by residents of the state. A drive around Owerri, Imo state capital will expose several illegal motor parts that cause obstruction and traffic gridlock on major roads. Poles away from where the Peace Mass accident happened are located illegal parks on Control Post. These illegal motor parks that persistently cause traffic at Control Post do not catch the fancy of ISTMA. It is same scenario in every major road, but the yellow and black wearing Imo traffic controllers turn a blind eye to it, preferring to ambush road users at hidden and less-traffic areas to perpetuate their heinous acts on helpless and unsuspecting motorists. Nobody will pray that a life be lost, but the state government will wake up and beam their searchlights on ISTMA when unfortunate
