I have explained the construction of a one-stop shop recreational/sporting center across the 27 local government areas, a project funded by the Local Government Areas. Indeed, the LGAs are enjoying autonomy financially, but I won’t buy the school of thought that the state government is oblivious of how the LGAs spend their funds. No, the state has a duty to ensure that the projects they are embarking on will have direct benefit on the people.
On the issue at hand; a One Stop Shop for Youth (OSSY) centres as contained in the manifesto of Gov. Emeka Ihedioha will provide a good environment where skills acquisition programmes, sporting events and talent hunts at LGA levels will be held. This initiative is wrongly given the nomenclature, stadia which has made believe believe the Governor is constructing Nest of Champions or Dan Anyiam Stadium. It is to be stated that the project is not the construction of 27 Dan Anyiam Stadium across the 27 LGAs of the state as mischievously circulated on social media.
It is the picture of a stadium and the huge funds associated with erecting one that is generating the negative reactions. Of course, the state, with its presently financial status, married with enormous works to be done, cannot afford to embark on projects that are white elephants. Currently the stadium in Owerri is undergoing renovation to meet international standards. The renovation wouldn’t had got the approval of the state government if indeed the state government was planning to erect 27 stadia in the state.
For clarity sake, the project is way below a stadium. The concept is to have a central meeting point for the people at every local government. A place that will take care of the social needs of people at the LGAs. Physical exercise, Children’s Day celebrations, Independence Day events, skill acquisition programmes for the youths, official local government functions and other social events will take place at these centres. The over reliance on Dan Anyiam stadium for functions that could be hosted in the LGAs will by this initiative reduce and draw the government closer to the people.
The present government of Imo state is firm on its promise to revive the LGAs and the construction of this recreational centers is a pointer that the government is really determined to make the third tier of government a mini-state government as it ought to be. If events that are hitherto held in the state capital are now taken to the LGAs, it is left to only the imagination the economic boom the LGAs will witness. The autonomy of the LGAs is not only restricted to its finance but also to make it an independent entity all in ramifications.
One of the promises made by Gov Emeka Ihedioha was prudence in the management of the state’s resources. When the LGA chairmen came up with the proposal of building a A One Stop Centers in the LGAs, Gov Emeka Ihedioha reconciled it with his manifesto and considered it benefits to Imo people, top of which was providing employment opportunities for the youths of the state.
By Aic Akwarandu
