Hon Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Imo State Deputy Speaker of Imo state House of Assembly, representing Nwangele State constituency, bares his mind on the administration of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, since 2015, as well as the performance of the state legislators
How would you assess the government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha since 2015?
Of course you know I am part of this government. The government is doing well. Many things are now in place more than we used to have before 2011. Every business is growing. Imo people are doing well. Artisans are doing well. Civil servants are paid their salaries. Where we seem to have issues is in the payment of pensions. But there is hope that it will be sorted out soon.
Are you satisfied with the number and nature of Okorocha’s projects?
Yes. The projects are good. By 2019, the governor will not be there talking about these projects. But the projects will be speaking for him. Mbakwe was criticized when he was governor more than Okorocha but today his achievements speak for him.
All the projects being done by Okorocha are good. They are too numerous to mention. Is it the road network that traverse the three zones of the state. He has succeeded in opening up many roads, especially inland roads. In Owerri now, you no longer experience traffic hold-ups as used to be the case in the past. He has been able to construct new markets and renovated old ones. On Free Education, he has done what many felt would not be possible by introducing Free Education.
He started by allowing indigenes of other states to benefit. He has built 27 General Hospitals in the 27 local government areas of the state. Military institutions like the Air Force, Navy, Army and Police have taken over some of the hospitals. The International Cargo section of Sam Mbakwe Airport is nearing completion. He has constructed 5,000 capacity Imo International Convention Centre(IICC) where many conferences involving different associations take place. And the government gets a lot of revenue from there.
There is the Heroes’ Square where important rallies are held. The Nnamdi Azikiwe and Michael Okpara Flyovers are nearing completion. It is worthy to note that it is the first time that flyovers are seen in the state. We have also seen the completion of Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi and Chief Ikemba Ojukwu Tunnels from where vehicles cross to the other side of the road without intercepting the ones moving on top. Many Secondary Schools have been renovated and new primary school blocks built in all INEC wards in the state.
The state House of Assembly building where we are now is wearing new looks with more offices constructed, renovated and furnished. Before this time, it was leaking and almost caved in. Apart from rural roads being constructed, some have been graded through different local authorities. Chapels are being constructed in the 27 LGA’s just like we have in the state Government House to bring the people back to God. The road expansion exercise under the State Government’s Urban Renewal programme is progressing and people are beginning to see the need for it. The roads are becoming wider to accommodate more vehicles and pedestrians.
What is the assembly’s relationship with the governor like. Some Imolites believe that all of you are the governor’s rubber stamp.
It is not true. The only thing is that people want us to be fighting with the governor. But if you are close to the House you will find out that we are doing the job. What some people want to hear is that we are abusing the governor, that is the only time they will believe we are working. What we do here is in order. We do oversight functions. The laws we make here are in deterrence to Executive over speed. Let people who think we are not doing well or not doing what we are supposed to do, run an election and come and do better.
What would you say are your achievements as democracy dividends to your constituents in the last two years?
As a matter of fact, I believe and preach that political representation is not about promoting self aggrandizement and adulation. To me, political representation is a call to duty, a duty which must be exercised with all sense of care and responsibility. To this end, I have sponsored the following bills in the Assembly: I identified the weak links in the organization of the health sector in Imo state which have hampered the effective delivery of Primary Health Care services to Imo residents. To reposition the sector, I put together a bill and presented it to the Imo State House of Assembly.
The bill is titled-“A Bill for A Law to Establish the Imo State Primary Health Care Development Agency and for Other Matters Connected Thereto”, which was passed by the House and now waiting for Governor’s assent. I also discovered that Government alone cannot produce the adequate Health Officers needed to take care of our ever increasing hospitals and health centres and in response to this challenge, I put together a bill and presented it to the assembly. The bill is titled:
“A Bill for A Law for the Establishment of Colleges of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Disciplines by Voluntary Agencies in Imo State and for other Matters Connected Thereto”. This Bill is in the Committee stage. I joined to raise concern over the lethal effects of poorly refined gin, ogogoro or kaikai on the health of the people and was convinced that prevention is better than cure. We came up with a Bill for a Law to Ban the Marketing, Sale and Consumption of Unregistered Local Gin and Other Bitters in Imo State. The Bill has passed third reading. I have to my credit A Bill for A Law to Amend the Imo State Local Government Administration Law No 15 Of 2000;
A Bill for A Law to Enact the Imo State Public Order(Prohibition of Ghost Workers Syndrome)Law and other Matters Connected Thereto. I co-sponsored A Bill for A Law to Regulate the Financial Management of Imo state and local governments in Imo state and Other Related Matters. I have a bill for the domestication of an Act of the National Assembly to prohibit all kinds of violence against persons. This bill has passed second reading. I have co-sponsored a Bill titled: “A Bill for A Law to Regulate Rights and Obligations Under Tenancy Agreements and Relationships Between Landlord and Tenant”.
I have also moved many motions, one of which is a Motion of Urgent Public Importance for the Downward Review of Charges Collected by Government on the Registration of Land documents in Imo State.
Talking about achievements in my constituency, as a matter of urgent public importance, I moved a motion for the merging of Isu Girls Secondary School and Isu High School to enable the take-off of the Police College at Isu in Nwangele LGA. I have conducted free eye test to over 1,500 people in my constituency; distributed over 300 medicated eye glasses to them;
I have given financial empowerment to start business for over 232 indigent people; solely sponsored, hosted and sustained the Nwangele Youths Annual Carnival; built from foundation the Umudurueze Town Hall at Umuozu, Nwangele LGA; Refurbished the Town Hall at Amaigbo; refurbished the Umunya Town Hall; currently completing the building of Deeper Life Church, though a Catholic; gainfully employed over 107 Nwangele people in business; built an Ultra-Modern market at Dim-na- Nume; reconstructed and re-roofed the Orie Chineke market at Amaigbo; donated wheel chairs to six disabled persons in the area; among others.
