By Grace Chigbu
The newly appointed Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Ethics and Road Maintenance, Hon. Ikenna Chukwuocha (Whitelion) has responded to the concerns of the Communities along the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road , who are contending with flood situation that arised from the road construction presently ongoing , by Cranburg Construction Company on behalf of the state.
He responded after Chief Chijioke Nzeji (Opara wu agu na Mbaise) a South African based Investment Manager and a Community leader from Mbaise last week gave his voice to the recent environmental issue arising from the frustrating flood that has bedeviled one side of villages on the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road.
‘’ How Could Cranburg Construction Company in charge of Owerri/Mbaise/Umuahia road, do gutter/drainage on one part of the road and abandon the opposite side of the road? Thats low standard and they must not be paid for this poor standard work because the communities on the other side where there are no drainage system are flooded whenever it rains, please govt should take note.’’ Chief Opara wu agu 1 na Mbaise posted on his social media handle.
In response to the concerns raised by Chief Chijioke Nzeji Opara wu agu 1 of Mbaise on social media, Sir Ikenna Chukwuocha, the Special Adviser (SA) to Senator Hope Uzodinma on Ethics and Road Maintenance pledged to address the issue by calling the attention of the appropriate quarters on the newly arising situation.
Chukwuocha, who is a UK-based Nigerian farmer and two-time Federal House of Representatives contestant before he was appointed to assist the office of the Governor on Road Maintenance and Ethics, took note of the concerns raised by Chief Oparawuagu on the seeming lack of proper flood control on the road which is still under construction.
While addressing the issue to our media team, Hon. Ikenna Chukwuocha (Whitelion) assured the public that he will draw the attention of the contractors to the issue, and confirm if the one-sided drainage was part of the plan or if there were ecological reasons for it. He added that the safety of the people using the road is of utmost importance, and he would ensure that necessary measures are taken to address the flood issues.
Hon Ikenna Chukwuocha (Whitelion) reiterated his commitment to ensure that roads in Imo State are well-maintained and safe for road users and further pledged that his role as SA on Ethics and Road Maintenance is one that he is going to take serious to ensure due compliance in maintaining the state’s road infrastructure to international standards.
The SA also promised to be very proactive in promoting ethical behavior among public servants in the state, urging them to imbibe the values of honesty, integrity, and accountability in their daily activities as well as developing social programs to ensure the upward mobility of youths in the state towards imbibing excellent socio-moral behaviours.
In a recent interview with Vanguard newspaper, Hon.Chukwuocha reiterated his commitment to serving the people of Imo State, stating that he would continue to work towards improving the standard of living of the people via his office.
“My appointment as SA on Ethics and Road Maintenance is an opportunity for me to contribute my quota to the development of Imo State. I will try my best to ensure that the roads in the state are well-maintained and safe for road users . I will also sensitize the public on need of imbibing ethical behavior especially among public servants and most importantly the youths who are the dominant population in the state,” he said to Nigerian eye Newspaper team.
“I am also using this opportunity to say big thanks to my Oga, the Governor of Imo State; Senator Hope Uzodinma for the opportunity he has given me to serve the people, am proud of his efforts in overturning the infrastructural state of the State and am happy that he found me worthy to assist with his good works’’ Hon. Ikenna Chukwuocha (Whitelion) concluded
