Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has been applauded by professionals and business persons in the state for his hands-on moves to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in the state. Governor Uzodimma took a bold stride in the signing of the Imo State Electricity Law which will enable the state to manage and activate electricity transmission and distribution of infrastructure in the state particularly the Amaraku power project as well as Egbema Power Plant which had been abandoned for over 18 years. Governor Uzodimma has been praised by professionals, business persons, and entrepreneurs in the state under the aegis of the Forum of Imo Professionals (FIP) for securing President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the transfer of the Egbema Power Plant project to Imo State Government.
On Monday, Ambassador (Dr) Greg Mbadiwe, who is the coordinator of the Forum in a statement expressed happiness that with the electricity initiative, Governor Uzodimma “has set the ball rolling for massive infrastructural development, rapid industrialization, revamping of small and medium entrepreneurship, spur youth creativity, boost employment, achieve self-sufficiency in all sectors while turning Imo into a major investment hub for the South East and the nation at large.” Governor Uzodimma was commended by the professionals for engaging a world-class power company from Egypt, Elsewedy Power Generation, for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution in the state. They added that they were confident that with the framework already established by Governor Uzodimma, there will be adequate electricity supply in all parts of Imo State within the next eight months. They deeply appreciated Governor Uzodimma for his electricity initiative.
“Our people have suffered years of serious retrogression in the productive sectors because of poor power supply. Governor Uzodimma has displayed an exceptional political will. This exceptional political will confirms his connection with the aspiration of the people; which is reminiscent of the visionary leadership of Dee Sam Mbakwe. With this bold step Governor Uzodimma has taken, our Forum is confident that in the next 12 months, Imo State will witness a fillip in industrialization. Furthermore, there will be a massive rise in small and medium enterprises, there will be a resurgence in youth creativity and employment. Also, our fabrication yards will come alive, there will be food sufficiency and our State will return to the good old days as a major social and economic investment hub for the South East and the nation at large. All these were stated by the Forum.
Governor Uzodimma was also commended by Ambassador (Dr) Greg Mbadiwe for attracting massive investments into the State which also includes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hassan Allam Holding and Punz Limited for the construction of a 200-room Imo Marriot Hotel in Owerri. Therefore, the Forum expressed delight that the project will have a direct impact on the economy of the state, including creating markets, investments, and employment opportunities in the state.