The Federal Government has commended the Imo State Government for its continued investment in road and healthcare infrastructure, describing the projects as clear evidence of how collaboration between the Federal Government and states is delivering the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to a report by The Guardian, the commendation was made during the second day of the Presidential Media Tour of Projects in Imo State, organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team.
Speaking after inspecting the Orlu, Mgbee, Akokwa, Uga federal road, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said the project reflected the impact of increased allocations to states and stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments.
Dare explained that the road, which had been rendered impassable by severe gully erosion for several years, had frustrated previous administrations and disrupted economic activities by cutting off communities.
He disclosed that about 80 per cent of the reconstruction had been completed, including extensive land reclamation, a concrete bridge, drainage infrastructure and street lighting, restoring a vital transport link between Imo and Anambra states.
“The entire Imo side was completely cut off from Anambra. Today, what we are seeing is about 80 per cent completion of the road, and that will have massive economic implications for the South East,” he said.
According to Dare, the project demonstrates how increased monthly allocations to states following recent fiscal reforms are being invested in critical infrastructure development.
He added that the funding partnership between the Federal Government and Imo State serves as a model for accelerating the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the country.
The presidential aide also linked the ongoing projects to the Federal Government’s economic reforms, stating that the removal of fuel subsidy had created more resources for development.
“We can boldly point to the positive impact of subsidy removal. States now have more resources for development, and projects like these are the result,” he said.
Dare also inspected the Imo State University Teaching Hospital in Orlu and the nearly completed 200 bed Infectious Disease Centre, describing them as major investments in healthcare and human capital development.
He said improved road infrastructure and quality healthcare services work together to enhance the well being of citizens.
“We have seen a 2,000 bed infectious disease centre nearing completion, an oxygen plant and a revitalised teaching hospital. These are the kinds of projects that directly impact people’s lives,” he said.
Providing additional details on the road project, the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, described the Orlu, Mgbee, Akokwa, Uga corridor as a strategic commercial route connecting Imo and Anambra states.
He recalled that a major gully erosion had made part of the federal highway unusable for years before the present intervention.
“This road is very important because it connects Imo with Anambra and serves a major commercial corridor. For years, this section was cut into two by gully erosion, but the governor was determined to restore it despite the enormous cost,” Emelumba said.
He noted that although the road is a federal highway, the Imo State Government invested substantial resources in its reconstruction because of its economic importance.
The reconstruction, being undertaken by Craneburg Construction Company, includes extensive erosion control measures around the Orashi River corridor, drainage infrastructure and a new bridge designed to permanently address years of ecological damage.
At the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Executive Assistant to the Chief Medical Director, Victor Samson, said the institution had undergone significant transformation under the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
According to Samson, the hospital, established in 2004, had previously struggled with inadequate funding, shortage of specialist personnel and deteriorating infrastructure.
He said government intervention had led to the acquisition of modern medical equipment, improved laboratory services, recruitment of consultants, installation of a 260KV solar power system and expansion of oxygen production capacity.
“The governor has invested significantly in modern equipment and infrastructure. We now have more specialists returning to the hospital, improved facilities and a much higher patient inflow than before,” Samson said.
He revealed that more than 4,000 free surgeries had been performed under the state’s annual free medical outreach programme, while inpatient admissions had increased significantly following the improvements.
Samson further disclosed that the 200 bed Infectious Disease Centre, being developed through a partnership involving the Federal Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Seplat Energy, was about 85 per cent completed and would serve as a specialist referral centre for infectious diseases across the South East.
Emelumba also stated that the teaching hospital had regained accreditation for the training of medical doctors after it was previously withdrawn.
He said the restoration enabled six sets of stranded medical students to complete their studies and has since returned the institution to full medical training.
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