Despite the mistaken belief in some quarters about my commentaries on the government of the Owelle Rochas Okorocha which borders on constructive criticisms, I remain one of the numerous residents of Imo State and great Imolites who heralded the entry of Rescue Mission administration with joy.
I may have surprised many with this revelation but the popular saying that “Ogori luo di abuo ya amara nke ka mma” when a woman marries two husbands, she will chose a better one” forced me to join the crusade for Okorocha.
At the birth of the administration, I was thrilled by certain fascinating modules introduced by the Okorocha government in showing a paradigm shift in the act of governance in the state. I became engrossed with several innovations introduced especially, the opening of more motorable roads within the state capital, Oweri and beyond.
Another interesting display of the Okorocha led government was erection of City Gates at strategic entry and exit posts in Owerri. The pilot projects begun on Concorde roads, state High Court area, Orlu Road and some streets in New Owerri. Later, the city gates project spread to other areas in the state capital.
I tried to unravel the reasons behind the multiple gates project but could not get one until I got a copy of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese print media outfit called Leader. Prior to this period, divergent views and divided opinions trailed the novel idea of the Rescue Mission government. As a professional I divorced myself from the skewed imagination of hate campaigners. Since journalism is not a game of fiction but that of factual enterprise, I relied on the information provided by the Leader newspapers. In the report, the pioneer Mayor of Owerri Zone, Chief Henry Njoku, while leading his team on courtesy visit to Archbishop Anthony Obinna among other things disclosed that when completed, circuit monitor cameras and security men would be stationed at the strategic points. The ousted Mayor of Owerri and his team sought for cooperation of the masses in actualizing this goal. According to the Owerri Mayoral affairs team, there would be crime reduction if the circuit camera monitors and security guards are stationed at the City Gates. The team went further to reveal that there will be a central monitoring system and synergy to fame men of the underworld in the state capital.
At the point, I became one of the protagonists for the construction of the Owerri City Gates. Taking into consideration the excesses of rampaging kidnappers and armed gunmen who tormented residents of the state capital, a circuit camera-fitted and security-manning City Gate was a welcome development. My joy knew no bound after receiving the raisond’ etre for the city gates. Apart from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, I am yet to be informed about a state in Nigeria with such water tight security structure except Rivers State when security monitors are located on exclusive streets and roads. In view of the menace perpetuated by unrepentant and ubiquitous gunmen, I advocated for the security gates and the sensitive gadgets. Moreso, the innovation would also counter the challenges facing relevant security agencies in combating crime in the state.
Indications that the City Gates security arrangements would be reality emerged when reports filtered in that some young men were undergoing intensive security training at the newly established ICAPS on Egbu Road. Even the establishment of state owned security outfit, Imo Security Network (ISN) and recent conversion of some personnel of Imo Orientation to Imo City Guards further confirmed the possible establishment of the City Gates camera monitors and guards.
Similarly, after few gates were erected at strategic places, projects of more gates begun and work started at all entrance and exit points of streets and roads in Owerri. Two years after the construction of these gates began what can be observed on the streets and roads today are mere carcasses of structures showing abandonment and neglect of the city gates.
Sinister moves that the planned installation of security devices and operatives at Owerri City gates would be a ruse emerged when contractors handling the gates stopped worked, no thanks to the inability of the concerned authorities to properly finance the respective projects. It was learnt that the Mayoral Affairs in charge of Owerri Zone hoodwinked unsuspecting contractors into getting involved in the gate-building job without adequate logistics and mobilization to undertake the projects. Reports have it that the affected contractors are still lamenting the ill-manner they were treated by the state government. After paying the mandatory, N100,000 as registration for qualification to handle the contract, they also paid another N6,000 for agreement facilitated by a lawyer before commencement of work where they are expected to be paid N3m on completion of the project. As the contractors were settling down to execute the job, an “Order” from above it was further gathered stopped the project, thereby ending the city gate projects for Owerri City.
Apart from failing to get mobilization fees for jobs done, the refund of the promised N100,000 paid into state government coffers via bank for the award of the contract has not been refunded. The sorry state of the City gate construction is what litters Owerri streets. However, only the area and roads of some key players in the state government interest has been concluded. A drive around Concorde Area through the Owerri Sports Club road shows that there is not less than three well designed and constructed entrance and exit gates erected on this particular road where a privileged first class citizen of the state lives. There is one from the Akanchawa road entrance and another at the Nekede Old road including a middle gate. However, the expected security apparatus and equipment promised by the Owerri Mayoral Affairs is missing as the gates are under utilized as no circuit monitors were installed, and the Rescue Mission- established Imo Security Network and City Guards are also absent.
There is no gain saying in the fact that the abandonment of the City Gates and non installation of security devices and absence of security guards as promised by the Mayoral Affairs speak volume of the policy somersault of the present administration. The theatre of absurdities reigning in the state are manifested in the improper planning and non recognition of feasibility studies of projects and programmes before execution by the present administration. Except the City Gates projects were conceived to willfully extort money from unsuspecting contractors, Imolites especially those who lost substantial amount in erecting the abandoned structures after payment of N106,000 deserve better explanations on the failed jobs.
The abandoned city gates projects and non installation of security cameras and operatives at the gates has further exposed the non adherence of the present administration to due process and strict regulation for awards of contracts in Imo state. With the state’s Tenders Board in comatose, it will not be out of context to state that there were no budgetary provisions in the state fiscal plan as the projects were not advertised and bided for by prospective contractors before award and execution. It has however become the trademark of the state government to embark on bogus projects it would not complete since it came on board two and half years ago. It is in these regard that the so-called monumental projects for which billions of Naira from the state government is sunk into is still in abysmal condition across the state. No wonder the new found love for roundabouts at every corner has turned to a bump site for motorists where non has been completed.
However, I am hopeful that the new Mayor of Owerri, Chief Gibson Achonwa (Oyiga) would readdress the issue of City Gates and ensure that the projects are completed with circuit cameras and security men installed at the respective places.
