The politics of zoning and senatorial interest inculcated in the country’s political formula is having a devastating effect on the socio-economic and infrastructural development of certain sections, local government areas and communities in the state who are marginalized in the distribution of amenities, social services and developmental projects. The Imo State 2012 Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Draft Budget has exposed the desire of some powerful politicians and well placed office holders to appropriate most of the earmarked projects for communities, towns in their areas and senatorial districts
According to details of the Imo State 2012 Draft Budget before the National Assembly for approval, Orlu Zone where the Governor of the State, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha and Senator Hope Uzodimma hail from benefited more than others in the stipulated project. Despite oil producing areas of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta being part of the Orlu zone, Ideato North and South where Owelle Okorocha comes from and Senator Uzodimma’s Oru East and West had more share and allocation in the draft budget receiving attention in the upper chamber ofNigeria’s parliament. Other LGA’s in other senatorial zone had little projects to show they are part ofImoState.
In contrast to the provisions of NDDC practiced in other states that benefit from the largesse of the interventionist agency, which okays for 80 percent of the total project to oil producing areas of a benefiting state and 20 percent to the remaining areas, the two oil producing communities are at the loosing end of the present arrangement where . Dependable sources disclosed to our correspondent that the two bigwigs from Orlu Zone holding prominent positions in the state and at the Federal level were instrumental to twisting the multi-million naira projects to their side. Other areas that benefited from the new development are Orlu, Orsu, Nwangele who had some shares to show that they are also part of Orlu zone
The details which are in Imo Trumpeta possession indicate that Orlu town Amaifeke will be entitled to Solar Street Light under Energy/power supply at N127,722500 budgeted cost, Amanator Okporo, Orlu, Solar Street Light, Umuhu- Amanachi Orsu, Solar Street Light, Omuma-Akuma Oru East, Amazu Akata Oru east Solar Energy Street Lights. In Ideato, Ndianiche will have Solar Power Street Light, Omuma Isiaku, Ideato South, Umuezeaga Ideato North, Otiti Omuma Oru East, and Construction of one Basic Health Centre each. In road projects Ukagba Okporo Orlu, Osina Ideato North, Nkwo Ezize Orlu, Ihitte Akatta will witness road projects while there will be construction of Rochas okrocha Road/Drain in Ogboko the hometown of the Governor valued at N150, 000,000 with a commitment of N22.500.000.00 already. Ihioma Orlu has construction of road from Levis Filling Station toJohn Wouse Road. Abajah in Nwangele, Osina in Ideato North, Ubaha Eze Awo Omamma in Oru East, Awo Idemili, and Orsu have solar power water projects. In Ideato South, there is construction of St Joseph Road-Ogboza market square, while Orlu will benefit from construction ofNkwo Umuowa Road, Oleme Internal roads/drainage in Amaifeke, Eluama Ndiowere Umuna roads andOtulu Omuma Road in Oru east. There are more projects locate in the zone not mentioned.
The quest for Orlu zone to have the major chunk of goodies from NDDC may have prompted some Ideato youths claiming to be representing the interest of Imo youths to demonstrate at the state NDDC headquarters in Owerri. The youths numbering about 30 adorning cloths branded with Ideato Youths in support of Rochas who came with placards protested against the State Commissioner, Barr Peter Ezeobi who they accused of trading off the empowerment programs meant for youths in the state. Even as training of 500 youths in ICT was included in the budget in Trumpeta possession, the attack on the state NDDC commissioner from Oguta LGA by the Ideato youths is said not to be unconnected to the push by other people in Orlu zone to have what comes from the government agency at the expense of the oil producing communities in the state.
