AS IMO AWAITS AIR-FORCE BASE
The last time I checked, the people of
Imo State – the Eastern Heartland – were earnestly and graciously awaiting the
establishment of an Air Force Base in the state. The expectation was
necessitated by the ground breaking ceremony performed in that regard
penultimate week, precisely on Tuesday 28th February 2017, at Owerri
by the Chief of Air Staff, Vice-Marshal AbubakarSadiq.
In his words, the Air-Force boss stated
that the proposed unit tagged ‘211 Regiment Group, Owerri’ when completed would
enhance security in the state and assist in checking all forms of criminalities
including armed robbery and kidnapping. He disclosed that the unit, which was
among the nine new formations to be established across the federation, would be
a highly skilled and quickresponse one, as he equally made it known that it
would be ‘one of the best’ in the history of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
He went further to say that work would
soon commence on the site, because according to him, the project was captured
in the 2017 budget, while also stressing that the NAF would help the host
communities among others in health outreach services and other related
humanitarian activities. He as well said that the expected unit would
definitely create the needed enabling environment for the state government led
by Governor RochasOkorocha to sustain its recent developments.
A project of this kind among others,
such as the equally awaited Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, if
eventually put in place, would tremendously showcase federal presence in the
ancient state. This is unarguably what every discerning mind in the state had
been yearning for. But before now, pronouncement for such capital projects was
seemingly far-fetched let alone mapping out a site for its implementation. It
is obvious that that of Sam Mbakwe Air Port has gone beyond mere pronouncement
because constructions regarding the anticipated project are seriously ongoing
at the moment as well as nearing completion.
Before now, it seemed Imo was only
called to observe while others do the participation. In the past eighteen years
or thereabouts, prior to the emergence of the present administration led by
President MuhammaduBuhari to be precise, the state could not boast of a
tangible federal presence – if not the eventual metamorphosis of the AlvanIkoku
College of Education to a federal institution of learning – even though Imo
remained the first state in history to immortalize the late President Umaru
Musa Yar’dua.
During the aforesaid era, Imo wasn’t
even a spectator because she was not even allowed to cross the major entrance
to the sporting arena let alone witnessing the event. This simply implies, to
state the least, that Imo has just woken up from the long-lasted slumber she was
subjected to as against her wish. While she was passing through the ordeal, I
kept wondering, and am still pondering over, why she was meant to suffer such
untold hardship in spite of the fact that she was a Niger-Delta state as well
as could boast of countless political gladiators from the then ruling People’s
Democratic Party (PDP).
Now that it appears she has woken from
the abrupt sleep, I pray she wouldn’t go back to it again for any reason
whatsoever. Being salvaged from a certain unbearable situation is indeed a
thing to celebrate, but sustaining such metamorphosis is a different issue
entirely. In other words, every well-meaning Imolite would wish the state would
remain awake henceforth till eternity.
However, it’s imperative to acknowledge
that if some factors are not taken very seriously by the Gov. Okorocha-led
administration, Imo would rather be taken aback when everyone is deeply of the
notion that she would soonest be awash with innumerable capital projects via
the approval of the federal authority. There are a few rudimentary recipes that
must not be relegated to the background if she is truly determined not to go
back to that forsaken slumber.
Pronouncing the establishment of a
project is a stepping stone, but if necessary measures are taken for granted in
the long run, actualization of such proposal would definitely be a mirage. Read
my lips. Even if the project in question is captured in the budget as was
rightly pointed out by Vice-Marshal Sadiq, there are still clear chances of not
implementing it as the journey progresses if the needful is not done by the
concerned authorities. After all, in the past, several projects were captured
in the budgets, yet they were not implemented perhaps owing to corruption or
what have you.
So, let’s not rejoice yet that we have
been promised of quite a number of projects by the President Buhari-led
government; rather, what we ought to be concerned about now is how to ensure
that these numerous pledges are duly redeemed in due course. Since the era of
‘share the money’ has ostensibly been a thing of the past, the only factor that
could hinder outright implementation of any awaited project is a situation
where the prospective benefitting stateis marred by apathy as regards ‘follow-up’
or adequate monitoring of any awarded contract.
In view of this, the Rescue Mission
Administration is bound to note that it has a very vital role to play towards
ensuring that these promises become realities.Hence, it’s needless to reiterate
that there is no iota of need to apply brakes till we get to the anticipated
destination.
So,
as much as I sincerely appreciate Gov. Okorocha for attracting these proposed
projects to the state, I see no reason to remind his Excellency that he is
expected to remain wiser than the serpent as the odyssey proceeds. Think about
it!
Follow: @mediambassador
http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor
No comments:
Post a Comment