Imo community sends SoS to FG, governor

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

People of Mbieri community of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State have called on the Federal Governemnt and Governor Hope Uzodinma over abandoned projects in the area.

Speaking on behalf of the indigenes, President, Mbieri Summit, Sam Obaji, at a press briefing, yesterday, in Abuja, said despite its proximity to the Owerri, Imo State capital, the community is repleted with dilapidated infrastructure.

Obaji, who said the ugly situation has led to unemployment, loss of lives and insecurity, also noted the half-baked projects preceded the administrations of Sam Mbakwe, Achike Udenwa, Ikedi Ohakim and Rochas Okorocha.

While presenting videos of erosion-ravaged areas and building blocks covered with grasses, he said: “Today’s press briefing is in line with the Mbieri development spirit anchored on uniting our people to see how the lives of our people can be enhanced in terms of social and economic facilities that contribute in job creation, youth empowerment, easy movement of man and materials which is facilitated by good roads, health care, education and electricity. We are guided in doing these by a number of beliefs;

“We believe in Section 24 (d) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which makes it the duty of every citizen to make positive and useful contribution to the advancement progress and well being of the community where he resides

“We believe that community development is a process where community members are supported by agencies to identify and take collective action on issues which are important to them

“We also believe that for security to be achieved in communities, welfare, including social amenities and infrastructure should be provided.”

“A look at the video comprising of serious erosion menace, roads taken over by weeds and grasses, dilapidated educational and health facilities presents a picture of a town that is in need of emergency action to save the people from more hardship and deaths

“Let me inform you all that one of the reasons for holding this briefing is to make a passionate appeal to the federal and state governments, and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Mbieri indigenes in diaspora to come to our aid in, at least, road infrastructure.

“As you can see from the video, erosion menace has destroyed communication and movement between villages in Mbieri.

“Some of the villages have been cut off from others, making it difficult for them to move their agricultural products to the markets as was the case in the past.

“The NDDC started a road project from Nkwor Orji to Orie Mbie. However, this project has been abandoned after excavation of the old road which made it worst than it was before the excavation.

“We are, therefore, appealing to NDDC to complete the project to alleviate the sufferings of our people.”

“We are also using this opportunity to appreciate the effort the present administration of Governor Uzodimma is making in road infrastructure in Owerri town and appeal to him to extend it to Mbieri.

“Since the time of the late Sam Mbakwe as the governor of Imo State, succeeding administrations of Achike Udenwa, Ikedi Ohakim, and Rochas Okorocha abandoned the roads, educational and health facilities in the town.

“They did not maintain the ones built by Mbakwe administration and did not build new ones, leading to total collapse of social and economic development of the town.

“The consequence of all the above is untold hardship of absence of accessible roads, especially during the rainy season, excruciating hunger and poverty and untimely death that has become rampant. Some families in Mbien are now recording two to three death incidents in a month.

“Unfortunately, these unfavourable and not habitable human conditions have increased the crime rate in the town.”

“It is for this reason we are constrained to appeal to the Nigerian media to assist Mberi people publicise the degradation of social and infrastructural facilities in the town and solicit the aid of the federal and state governments, NDDC and other government agencies, to contribute towards building and rebuilding them to improve the well being of our people.”