Residents applaud Uzodinma’s development strides as Tinubu set to arrive Imo

By Kunle Sanni –

“Do you know how long we have suffered because of this project? We are glad the government has finally completed it,” says Faith Osuji, a roadside trader along Bank Road in Owerri, gesturing at the newly built flyover at Control.

Osuji’s words capture the mood of many in the state capital as President Bola Tinubu plans to arrive in the state to commission Governor Hope Uzodimma’s legacy projects.

WESTERN POST reported that President Tinubu is scheduled to arrive in the Imo State capital on Tuesday to commission a series of projects carried out under Governor Uzodinma’s administration.

The President’s visit also included the unveiling of a compendium on Uzodimma’s years of service.

In anticipation of the President’s visit, the Business Day newspaper reports that the city underwent a facelift—streets were cleaned, overgrown grasses were cleared, and traffic was redirected around Control, where the flyover stood ready for commissioning.

According to the state’s Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, the projects symbolise Uzodimma’s resolve to leave lasting legacies. “The President will be unveiling the Owerri–Mbise road, the long-abandoned Control flyover, and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Centre. The whole town is agog,” he said.

For Chidi, a bus driver, the bridge is more than just concrete and steel; it is a symbol of progress in a city long held back by stalled infrastructure. “Governor Hope has tried,” he admits. “But the only challenge is insecurity. The capital is calm, but our villages are still unsafe, especially on market days.”

On security, Emelumba insisted that Imo has moved past “sit-at-home” threats. “The Governor has done a lot to make the state comfortable for our people. No one in their right senses will work against their own people,” he added.

For residents like Osuji and Chidi, the new infrastructure is welcome—but their hopes are clear: that it will be matched with stronger security beyond the state capital.