I have not borrowed a dime since I assumed office, says Uzodimma

• Flags off construction of two federal roads

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has said his administration has not borrowed any money to handle its responsibilities. He, therefore, challenged anyone with contrary position to come forward and show proof.

The governor made the disclosure on Tuesday during the flag-off of construction of two federal road projects, Orlu-Mgbee- Akaokwa – Ugah (22.1 kilometres); and Owerri -Mbaise – Obowo – Umuahia Roads (46 kilometres), bringing the total to 68.1 kilomotres of roads, being handled by Craneburg Construction Company. He was silent on cost of the construction.

While the Owerri -Mbaise – Obowo – Umuahia road, stretching about seven out of 27 local councils, would take about 12 months to be completed, Orlu-Mgbee-Akokwa-Ugah road, with intersections across Imo, Anambra and Abia states, is expected to be completed in about eight months, The Guardian gathered.

The governor said the roads were of economic importance. He disclosed that the funding would be jointly sourced from the tax credit offered oil companies and the seed funds from the Federal Government, noting that the development is the outcome of the healthy relationship between the state government, under his watch, and the Federal Government.

He warned the opposition elements sponsoring bandits, who are engaged in banditry, kidnapping, blackmail and cannibalism, as well as those behind the killings, burning, bombing of public and private infrastructure to desist from such acts as is ready to restore peace in the state. Uzodimma promised to reduce infrastructure deficit in Imo, maintaining that he is on track with his development plan across the three of Imo (Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu).

According to him, his promise is centred on serving people of the state based on his philosophy of ‘shared prosperity,’ insisting that he owns no hotel or property except the people whom he regards as his assets.

The governor urged monarchs and youths to ensure the contractor is not disturbed, ensuring that requests for “idle payments” are avoided. Uzodimma warned that no amount of blackmail or antics of the opposition would make him succumb to non-state actors.”