Introduction
Here are some of the reactions that trailed the piece written by Henry Ekpe, on Podium of Tuesday Edition with the caption “Open letter to Gov Okorocha: Destroying Today to build Tomorrow?” The letters were published as they came, except some unprintable remarks, and phone numbers removed for some reasons.
After reading pages 6, 7 of August 6 issue of Trumpeta, I became amused, indeed shocked at the short-sightedness of my very Good friend Henry Ekpe.
Henry Ekpe of former Announcer Express whose hard fighting spirit, fine public relations endeared him to me and took Announcer Express to State acceptance; Henry Ekpe of the Media S.A of H/E Chief Ikedi Ohakim of just yesterday.
I then saw that P.D.P is dead serious in ensuring that Imo State does not continue in the blazing trail of massive infrastructural development championed by Owelle by calling a dog a name, so as to hang it.
So to my Buddy Henry, why should Owelle knock down the L.A Standard School Block built by his Oga at township school, and why should Owelle put up the beautiful, expansive school buildings in its place? Why should Owelle scrap narrow road paths and in its place put up beautiful roundabouts to ease traffic, fine walk ways etc to meet the desires of today? Did Owelle knock down the commissioners Quarters started by Mbakwe? Did Owelle knock down Concorde hotel built by Mbakwe? Did Owlle scrap Imo Modern Poultry built by Mbakwe? Did Owelle knock down House of Assembly Quarters started by Mbakwe? . Two things are common among these projects, one, they were all built or started by Mbakwe , two, they were all built to stand the test of time. How about the secretariat built by Archike, were they knocked down too? To the contrary, Owelle touched them up a little and today the stand for people to see. Concorde Hotel today wears a new look near to the 5 star hotel, a standard that it was built for originally but was run down by subsequent governments including PDP governments with 12 solid years to its discredit. The only thing baffling with Concorde Hotel now is that you no longer see PDP political jobbers occupying rooms and milling along the hall ways, and bars on PR basis courtesy of Govt. house as you now have to pay before you can be let in. Are you worried about these, Henry?
As a teenager going to school in America I witnessed huge sky scrapers being brought down with dynamite and in their places fantastic structures were erected, Texans, did not call for the head of their Governor then- I saw that myself life.
I saw roads scrapped during the day and during the night asphalted to wear a new look. Nobody called the Governor to order.
Henry, do you know that today in Owerri city, houses valued at no more than N200, 000.00 are sitting on land valued at N10- 40
million naira empty, occupying strategic locations in the City constituting gross eye sore to on lookers?? It- takes the like of Owelle to deal with such situations that are begging for attention.
I know what my friend Henry is worried about. I also know that it is the same problem bordering PDP as a political party in Imo State. Who will not be worried if suddenly you realize that someone is about to make a mince meat of your shoddy outing as a political party, as a Governor Etc, who? Why will PDP not be apprehensive if suddenly she realizes that her backside is about to be opened, and it is getting near to requiem time? And that Imo people are getting wiser, seeing better things, which party?
Henry, you are right when you said that Owelle has engaged himself with too many projects at a time. I too is worried. But not to worry, Owelle has a lion heart and is fully committed to completing all projects already started. So let us wait till the end of his administration, then posterity and the people of Imo State will judge. Do not be afraid of change as you know that the only thing that is permanent in this world is change. I can imagine how Imo will look in the next six years of the rescue mission under Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
What my friend Henry did not say is that because of these numerous projects, Owelle has been forced to tighten up so much that the people in PDP who were used to helping themselves to state funds are no longer doing so, while they leave behind trails of shanty towns, and ghettos, and disgraceful school buildings for our children, and general hospitals as mere consulting clinics.
I am an ardent reader of Trump-feta, firstly because I like the name, secondly and most important, Trumpeta is published by my two very good friends- Henry, and Gerry, so I beg them to argue with me as friends and differ without bitterness. I also know that they will publish this piece in my favourite newspaper- we shall sit over a bottle of beer later at Funtastic.
Audauctus Onuoha
Good morning my Brother Henry. I know u love Imo state which u show through ur writeups, but Imo people are getting what they deserve through their votes in 2011. What is de waste in Amakohai rd to billions spent at Ogboko in de name of relocating IMSU?
Pls if u know tell me the direction of dis govt. I weep for my state Imo.
Nze
Only the model primary school, I repeat, only the model primary school built by Rochas at township school is far bigger dan all Ohakim project put together. Nonsense.
-07035750972
Dear Ekpe, u did justice 2 dat writeup “Destroying Today to Build tomorrow! I share ur views completely. Truth is always bitter but has 2 be told. A word, dey say, is enough 4 d wise. Thanks God bless-
Emma Nwokoro
Very incisive words of advise to Gov Okorocha. I pray he listens so all of will be better for it. Keep it up.
Barr Eke
Good morning Henry. Your open letter to Owelle was on point. Good work. Thanks
Mc Ekemezie
Your open letter to Gov Okorocha: “Destroying today to build tomorrow?” This writeup is master piece and it exposes him as an agent of destruction . I – – – if he is qualified to hold public office. ….. Ndi Imo should enter into praying and fasting for god to intervain in this govt that has caused collosal damage to his perceived enemies.
Thanks
Victor
A consistent symbol of Truth, a dependable pillar of intergrity, a courageous fighter 4 justice, a symbol of fairness and objectivity, an example of inspirational leadership, may ur light continue to shine.
