The people of Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, on Tuesday, trooped out in their numbers at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA), Owerri, Imo, to welcome Governor Hope Uzodimma back to the state.
The governor returned to the state from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, where he took an active part in the National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) and attended the 74th birthday celebration of President Bola Tinubu, as well as other high-stakes party functions.
The people of the local government area, which is the host community to the Sam Mbakwe Airport, gathered under the auspices of the Coalition for the Political and Economic Advancement of Ngor Okpala, to welcome Governor Uzodimma and thank him for transforming the airport into a world-class facility, with numerous benefits to their community.
Spokespersons for the different groups that make up the Coalition for the Political and Economic Advancement of Ngor Okpala, Hon. Chukwuma Anuforo for Nkwa Chi Kwere Movement, Comrade Okechukwu Nzewuike for Ngor Okpala Youth Organisation, and Comrade Charles Opara for Onyeaghanwanneya Youth Movement, in their separate remarks, said the rally was organised to thank the governor for transforming the airport into a global standard airport, especially with facilities that make international flight operations now possible.
They stressed that the governor’s visionary action brought many economic benefits to the airport and its environs, noting that the people of Ngor Okpala are at the forefront of enjoying those benefits, particularly in employment opportunities.
The leaders pointed out that beyond the monumental job done at the airport, Governor Uzodimma has also continued to demonstrate love and inclusive governance for the local government with the provision of other infrastructures.
They highlighted his good works in road infrastructure, citing the ongoing construction of Ihitte Junction/Umukabia/Umuneke Road and Okpala Junction/Ahiara Junction/Aba Branch Road as examples.
Healthcare services was another sector they posited that the governor has done wonderfully well, as his administration has constructed many brand new primary health centres and revitalised several others.
The coalition leaders, while expressing deep gratitude to the governor for his numerous benevolent gestures to Ngor Okpala LGA, also applauded him over his recent pronouncement at the recent state congress of the APC, that he will institute zoning and equity in the governance of the state.
Noting that the policy, if fully implemented, would permanently immortalise his name in the annals of Imo politics, the coalition leaders passionately appealed to him to ensure that the equity project is implemented across all zones, federal and state constituencies.
They emphasised that Owerri Zone, more than any other zone in the state, needed that policy now, particularly at the senatorial level, where Ngor Okpala bloc has allegedly faced marginalisation since the zone was created.
They appealed to him to use his good offices to address the ‘worrisome imbalance’ in the 2027 election, even as they declared unanimously that High Chief Chijioke Kaduru, an illustrious son of the area and an APC chieftain, was their choice for the office.
