The Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, has presented his eighteen-month stewardship of his second term in office before the State House of Assembly, highlighting some of his achievements so far.
Addressing the state lawmakers on the floor of the House, the governor gave an account of his stewardship, asserting that his administration has built a new Imo the citizens should be proud of.
Giving an account of his first year in office to the eighteen months of his second tenure, Uzodinma expressed satisfaction that he has placed Imo on what he described as an irreversible path of sustainable development.
He described his administration as people-oriented and anchored on transparency and accountability.
Uzodinma explained that he chose to present the address to brief the members of the House and the public on the progress his government has made since assuming office, particularly in the second term.
In a speech that lasted several hours, the governor highlighted his achievements, from education to health, digital economy, and road infrastructure, emphasising that his programmes and policies are the results of careful planning.
He noted that although he met a state under the spell of institutional decay and infrastructural deficits, he set to work determined to ensure that the people were offered quality and accountable governance.
Uzodinma also disclosed that his focus on workers’ welfare, including the prompt payment of salaries and pensions and the recent clearance of the pension backlog, was aimed at ensuring that the economy of the state remains people-friendly.
He expressed satisfaction that the administration’s road revolution, the revamping of the health and education sectors, and the recent successes recorded in the digital economy and technology have positively impacted the citizens of the state.
The governor also listed the Light Up Imo project as a revolutionary step taken by his administration to accelerate the economic development of the state.
“When a State has steady power, motorable roads, skilled youth, and pro-business policies, it doesn’t beg for investment. It becomes the destination of choice for investors,” he said.
The state’s number one citizen also maintained that when the dredging of Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean project is completed, it will further aid the economic advancement of the state.
He expressed optimism that the steps taken so far in the economic sector will certainly lead the state to its destination of becoming the business hub of the Southeast region.
The governor hinted that his 28 months of piloting the affairs of the state have been filled with fulfilled moments, asserting that he has used the period under review to achieve much for the state, notably the Assumpta Flyover, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, roads, and improvements to Imo Airport, leading to its recent international flight operations.
He further disclosed that his administration has reduced the state’s debt profile from N259 billion in 2020 to N99 billion in 2025, while the internally generated revenue has grown from N400 million in 2020 to nearly N4 billion in 2025.
Uzodinma attributed this achievement to his government’s prudence in financial management.
While expressing gratitude to the people of the state for their support, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering good governance.
He also expressed appreciation to members of the State House of Assembly for granting him audience and for their prompt passage of executive bills, which he said have made it easier for his administration to deliver on its mandate.
Earlier, in his address, the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chike Olemgbe, thanked the governor for making time to address the House.
He stated that the legislature, as an independent arm of government, will always ensure a harmonious relationship exists between it and other arms, especially the Executive, while remaining true to its constitutional mandate of lawmaking.
The Speaker affirmed that the paramount task before the Assembly is to ensure that the state succeeds in offering effective governance to its citizens.
