The immediate past Minister of State for Education and former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, the Rt. Honourable Goodluck Nanah Opiah, has debunked the rumours making the rounds that the state government led by Governor Hope Uzodimma is acquiring lands in communities in Egbema, Ohaji-Egbema LGA, on behalf of the federal government for the purpose of establishing a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the North, saying that the governor is bringing industrialization to the area and not IDP camp.
Speaking with journalists in Owerri on Tuesday, the former Minister clarified that if the federal government has any need for the establishment of IDP camps for displaced persons in the North, the federal government knows that the North is bigger in land mass than the Southeast and as such has more land for the establishment of any training centre for displaced people in the North, and would not be asking Governor Hope Uzodimma or any Governor in the Southeast for land for the purpose of establishing IDP camps for Northerners.
He noted that what is going on in some communities in Egbema, Ohaji-Egbema LGA, is that the state government needs land for the establishment of a gas free trade zone in furtherance to the governor’s industrialization plans for the state.
He noted that Governor Hope Uzodimma has a well thought out plan to industrialise the state, leading to job creation for the youths and revamping the economy of the state.
He said: “The federal government approved a gas free trade zone for the state as part of the governor’s economic blueprint. The governor said so much about his economic blueprint for the state at the Michael Okpara Memorial Lecture, and he was applauded for it.
“The governor’s economic blueprint for the state also captures revamping Adapalm, the Obiti Rubber Estate and the Emeabiam Rubber Plantation so that they can contribute massively to a vibrant state economy and create jobs for the huge youth population.
“The African Development Bank (AFRIEXIM BANK) in Cairo, Egypt, and other notable global investors are partnering the federal government and Imo State government on this project, and they have since visited the places, which is all about the industrialization of the state. The industrialization plan includes a seaport in Oguta, revitalizing Adapalm, the Obiti Rubber Estate, and Emeabiam Rubber Plantation.”
He expressed joy that Ohaji-Egbema was captured as part of the communities to host the industrialization programme as the gas free trade zone includes Oguta, Ohaji-Egbema, Ngor-Okpala, and Owerri West LGAs.
“Our area is fortunate to host the gas free trade zone because of the gas deposit in Assa in Ohaji-Egbema LGA. The world is moving towards gas, and the government wants to use the gas deposit in our communities to industrialise the state.”
Opiah added that the presence of the gas turbine in Mmahu Community, which he attracted as a member of the state assembly, is an added advantage to the communities in Ohaji-Egbema LGA.
He said that the gas turbine is functioning well and is proving power to Mmahu and other neighbouring communities on a test-run basis.
He noted that “the gas turbine currently has 388 mega watts with a targeted 450 and 500 mega watts of electricity supply when fully realised. This is expected to solve the perennial electricity challenges in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta LGA and its environs.”
He called on the people of Ohaji-Egbema LGA to disregard the rumours of the government’s plans to establish IDP camps, describing the rumours as emanating from those who are bent on drawing back the hands of development in the area and the state at large.
He assured that Governor Hope Uzodimma is committed to the well-being of the people of the state, especially that of the oil producing communities, and cannot do anything that can jeopardize their well-being.
He also assured that as the leader of the people of Ohaji-Egbema LGA, he owes the people a duty to always collaborate with the governor to bring the needed development to the people.
He added that without the governor’s industrialization plans, the gas turbine he attracted, which is already proving power electricity to communities in Egbema on a test-run basis, may not be able to reach its full potential.