Embracing enduring progress in Imo State: The Way Forward

Austin Okoro DDM NEWS

With the launch of the Integrated Special Energy Free Trade Zone, Governor Hope Uzodimma has positioned Imo State at a crucial juncture in its development journey.

This ambitious project presents a unique opportunity for growth and prosperity, with the potential to drive economic advancement and job creation.

While it has generated considerable enthusiasm among the people of Imo, its success will ultimately depend on the support and cooperation of host communities.

The Integrated Special Energy Free Trade Zone, approved by the President, is a large-scale initiative that includes a river port, petrochemical plants, an oil refinery, power generation facilities, an industrial cluster, a mini LNG plant, a methanol plant, the Orashi Special Energy Free Zone, fabrication yards, and housing units, among others.

Spanning four local government areas – Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, Owerri West, and Ngor-Okpala – the project is designed to attract both domestic and foreign investment through tax incentives, streamlined regulations, and efficient infrastructure.

On Wednesday, 12 February, the Imo State government held a community engagement meeting with leaders of the host communities to provide further details about the project and solicit their cooperation.

With significant progress already made, the next phase involves the development of physical infrastructure necessary for the project’s takeoff, as investors are ready to move in.

This stage requires land acquisition within the host communities – a process governed by legal frameworks, as explained by the Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Physical Planning, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu.

He stated:
“When the government wants to carry out a project, it engages the people in dialogue. The Land Use Act states that land belongs to the government, and the governor, as the head of government, can acquire any land for development or public good.”

Governor Uzodimma, however, is not solely relying on legal provisions.

With his extensive private and public sector experience, he has chosen a procedural approach to land acquisition, ensuring that the concerns of landowners and communities are addressed fairly.

It is crucial for host communities to recognize the long-term benefits of this project—not just for Imo State as a whole, but for their localities as well. This initiative is a win-win for all stakeholders.

Land is a vital component of development, and its acquisition often raises concerns among affected communities.

The Imo State government acknowledges these concerns, particularly regarding fair compensation, past experiences with previous administrations, and the impact on farming activities.

This is why the government has prioritised open dialogue with community leaders, emphasising that the long-term benefits of the Integrated Special Energy Free Trade Zone far outweigh any short-term inconveniences.

The Commissioner for Lands reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fairness:
“When the government wants to carry out a project, it engages the people in dialogue.

The governor, as the head of government, can acquire any land for development for the public good.

However, being a procedural person, the governor will engage with landowners despite his powers.

In Rivers State, for example, when the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) plant was to be built, the Finima people of Bonny Island had to give up their ancestral land. The government then resettled them.”

Addressing concerns about past land acquisitions, he added:
“It is true that a previous government made efforts to acquire land in your community and did not treat you well.

But Governor Hope Uzodimma wants to do things the right way and pay adequate compensation, regardless of what had been paid before.

We want to commence an enumeration exercise to identify the rightful landowners and compensate them accordingly.

We need your cooperation so that everything can be done peacefully and successfully.”

The former Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah, that hails from Abacheke Community in Egbema, also addressed community concerns, urging residents to learn from the experiences of cities like Owerri, Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

He pointed out that these cities were once rural settlements, but their transformation into thriving urban centres was made possible through cooperation with the government.

“Let me remind you that when development comes, farming is not an issue because the projects bring development and introduce a new way of doing things. Owerri, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other developed cities in Nigeria and beyond used to be like our communities, but development changed everything.

Now, we rush to these cities to live, work, and do business.

Rivers and Lagos States were once villages. Nobody prays for their children to remain peasant farmers; rather, we pray for them to achieve more.

These projects will bring development and new opportunities.”

As the project facilitator, Opiah acknowledged past grievances regarding how oil companies treated host communities but reassured them that the Uzodimma administration was taking a different approach.

“It is true that our people were cheated by oil companies that settled in our communities, but we are wiser today, and the government is being honest in its dealings with our people. I have represented Nigeria at international levels as a minister, and I know what I am talking about. The investors coming now are not like Shell, Agip, and other oil-producing companies. They are globally recognised investors, and they are coming with collaboration and a new vision for community development.

There will be good roads in our communities, and life will be better for us.”

He further urged the communities to embrace modern development practices, noting that some existing infrastructure would be replaced with better alternatives.

“With the arrival of these projects, some of the things we currently have in our communities will be replaced with improved versions. For example, the mono pumps we use for water will be upgraded to more efficient water sources.”

Opiah also warned against being misled by politicians seeking to derail the government’s efforts:

“Not everyone will speak with one voice, especially when some people believe that progress can only happen through them. Some of these individuals failed to bring development when they were in power, and now they may try to sabotage the government’s work. Do not allow them to use you.”

Developing Imo State requires a collective effort, and Governor Uzodimma has made significant strides in the state’s development trajectory. It is imperative that residents support these efforts rather than expend energy on opposition and political manoeuvring. Instead of undermining the government, people should rally behind initiatives that promise lasting progress for the state.

By demonstrating solidarity and embracing the Integrated Special Energy Free Trade Zone, host communities can showcase their commitment to Imo State’s growth. It is time to look beyond short-term inconveniences and focus on the bigger picture – a prosperous, industrialised, and economically vibrant Imo State.

Let us not allow political manipulation to hinder our progress. Instead, we must unite in a shared vision of development, ensuring that Imo State becomes a hub of industry, trade, and opportunity.

Together, we can build a brighter future by seizing the opportunities before us. The path to enduring progress is clear; it is time to walk it with determination and unity.

Hon. Sir Collins Ughalaa
Special Adviser, Public Orientation.

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