Firstly, this does not look like December in the Imo State we all have come to call our home.
Aside the Harmattan and dust which is obvious in most places because of the poor state of raods in the state, there is nothing more to show for this festive period in Imo.
This is not the first modern December in the state, so everyone will have to be forgiven for having high expectations which has unfortunately been greeted by mega disappointment powered by the state government.
Although Senator Rochas Okorocha would not be the ideal example in a leadership situation, he understood the politics and governance of December.
Okorocha would award contracts for grading of local roads and for those he would tar, the Ogboko born politician will make returnees wonder what those at home have been complaining about.
He ensured the roads are motorable, even when perfect is not the watchword.
The creation of Imo Christmas village was another icing on the December cake and truth be told the appearance of those gigantic Christmas trees put Imo on the Tourism map of the South East and South South.
People visited those spots from Enugu, Rivers, Anambra and just every neighbouring state because there was only one of it.
Hon. Emeka Ihedioha in his one and only December played a trick card of one-junction-one-caterpillar and even when hose heavy duty equipments were busy digging holes that will later overwhelm Governor Hope Uzodimma, people saw them as something.
No one owns December nor Christmas. Christmas parks can also never be anyone’s idea so the fear of other politicians not making things look like they are copying the Okorocha model is the main reason we are where we are today.
Already OOkorocha has been painted as the only devil to haves stepped into government house which is not entirely true because every man will always have something good about him.
This December has been the worst for Imo State and while it is okay to hold on to the weather change and insecurity, the lack of an obvious plan was made bare as Imolites from all quarters look for road construction but see nothing.
Insecurity and other funny activities have topped the list for Imo State Government who are so far relaxed as if a whether man is path of their cabinet.
If the rains could pull into December, there is also a huge probability it could earlier than April leaving us with just three months of dryness to achieve what we have failed to achieve in a hole year.
The governor could have other priorities set and as someone suffering in imo state, it is wrong and shameful if road construction does not top the agenda of the government.
So far it has been heated politics which has engulfed every other conversation because Imolites will always claim to be the most politically aware people around South East and South South.
Any Imolite taking sides in politics instead of demanding for governance is to be seen as a failed citizen when it so obvious that every road leading to the state capital is in a very bad state that might be quadrupled if the rains meet us like this.
Okigwe Road looks like the project work of some u serious students. MCC Road is already a death trap where lives and cars have been lost.
World Bank road, Mbaise road, Aba road and most importantly the famous Orlu road which was “paparazzied” as to have been awarded to construction giants Julius Berger is now the highest dust manufacturing area in imo state.
Rural roads are not left out as most communities can only be thankful to dry season because it is the only time a car can safely manage to reach these communities.
These are supposed to attract scary headlines, but it seems politicians have brought 202 closer and nothing but politics is taking the best spots on newspapers, radio stations and online platforms.
While everyone is busy enjoying the political dishes served by our dear Governor, I want tap up our consciousness because we are all being distracted.
Previously, politicians get distracted by the actions of the masses or opposition, but this is different and has to change.
Road construction has to start as soon as possible to ensure the rainy season is not made a living hell for Imolites.
No matter your political or religious inclination, no one deserves to suffer through these bad roads. Imolites have had enough and I call on everyone including the government to wake up,
Our roads have to be good again and this distraction has to end, unless the government has better ideas that will benefit Imolites more than the eminent need for massive road construction in the state.
Chinedu Hardy Nwadike is a blogger, content developer and author. He writes from Owerri, Imo State (chinedu@otowngist.com)
