Barring any last-minute changes, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to visit Imo State in August to commission several signature projects completed under Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration.
Speaking with journalists on Monday in Owerri after inspecting a number of the projects, Uzodimma expressed confidence that the infrastructure would be ready for the President’s arrival.
Among the projects inspected, despite a persistent downpour, were the Imo International Conference Centre, now renamed after the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; the newly renovated Government House Chapel; the expansive Maria Assumpta Cathedral flyover; the upgraded Concorde Hotel, now known as Concorde Hilton Hotel; and the newly established Imo State Land Information Service Centre.
“The job is about 90 per cent complete,” Uzodimma said. “Meaning that by the end of next month or early August, it will coincide with the visit of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who will be here by August, to commission all the numerous projects we have achieved under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We have enough convenient construction weather to complete the job as planned.”
Addressing concerns about the rainy season potentially delaying completion, the governor gave assurances that timelines would be met.
He also emphasized the importance of the Imo Land Information Service Centre, calling it a strategic move to address longstanding issues of land grabbing and unauthorized transactions.
“There was legislation by the Imo State House of Assembly to that effect, which he gave assent to in 2021, making it compulsory for all land owners in Imo State to recertify and document their lands with the Geographic Information System, GIS, provided by the Centre,” Uzodimma said.
“This can be done online as all land allocation records have been converted to a digital format in order to harmonise the administration of land in the state.
“No fewer than 98 per cent of the land transactions will be done online for convenience. By so doing, we will have a society that will be governed by sanity and harmonious way of doing things, given the 21st century challenges.”