Ahead of the annual Iriji Mbaise Cultural Festival on August 15, the people of Mbaise have called on government agencies to embark on rehabilitation of roads, insisting that owners of hospitality industries across the three local government areas in Mbaise should clean and upgrade their facilities.
Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Chief Steve Onu said the ceremony would be held at the Town School Itu, in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, with Louis Alozie, SAN, as chairman of the occasion.
He added that the exhibition of other Mbaise cultural ensembles would complement the status of Iriji Mbaise as a veritable national cultural festival.
Chief Onu also called on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to have a critical look at the Lagwa Monkey Colony, Ahiara Declaration Centre, Mbari Cultural Centre, Nguru and other tourists sites in Mbaise with a view to rehabilitating and providing tourists guides for Mbaise visitors, particularly during the cultural festival.
The committee chairman also called on the managers in the hospitality sector to upgrade and clean up their hotel facilities and eateries in preparation for the festival.
He also appealed to the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to approve the rehabilitation of roads in the area for easy access to all nooks and crannies of Mbaise during the event.
Onu believes that fixing roads in Mbaise would boost the image of the state government, particularly in the eyes of Nigerians and foreigners who are eager to witness the 2025 cultural festival.