Uzodinma Faces Accusations of Neglecting N10bn World Bank-Funded Erosion Project in Imo

The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 Imo election, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has accused the Hope Uzodinma-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of neglecting the Ideato Erosion Project, which is sponsored by the World Bank.

Through his Special Media Adviser, Ikenna Onuoha, Anyanwu suggested that the project’s halt was due to the World Bank’s refusal to permit the Imo State Government to supervise it, as well as the state government’s failure to pay the N500 million counterpart fund.

Anyanwu made these claims in response to recent environmental hazards caused by erosion, which have isolated many communities and hindered socio-economic activities in the area.

He criticized Uzodinma’s government for allegedly allowing the erosion crisis in Ideato North and South LGAs to continue, resulting in damage to property owned by Imo citizens, after failing to adhere to the contract guidelines established with the World Bank.

Anyanwu emphasized that a proactive administration should not require public praise to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities, yet in the case of the APC government in Imo State, such duties have been sidelined in favor of personal interests.

The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and also gubernatorial candidate of the party during the 2023 Imo election, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has alleged that the Hope Uzodinma-led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration is responsible for the abandonment of the Ideato Erosion Project, sponsored by the World Bank.

The PDP national scribe, through his Special Media Adviser, Ikenna Onuoha, hinted that the reason behind the stoppage of the project was alleged refusal of the World Bank to allow the Imo State Government to supervise the project and payment of N500 million counterpart fund.

Anyanwu made the allegation while reacting to recent environmental hazards posed by erosion which has cut off many communities and retarded socio-economic activities in the area.

He accused Uzodinma’s government of deliberately allowing the erosion menace in Ideato North and South LGAs to continue to destroy property belonging to Imo citizens, after the government allegedly failed to comply with the contract guidelines agreed with the World Bank.

Anyanwu stated that a proactive administration does not need any applause from the citizens before embarking on its constitutional responsibilities, but that in the case of the APC Imo State Government, such obligations have been downplayed over personal gains.

“The APC administration in the state is insensitive, non-proactive, and irresponsive to the yearning of the people.

“A situation where the people of Ideato nation and other parts of the State find it difficult to access the State capital on a motorable road despite huge resources available to the government is most unwholesome, pathetic and injurious to the fortune of the state,” he stated.

The media adviser further pointed out that it is debasing that a contract initiated by previous governments with the World Bank for the control of erosion menace in Ideato was allegedly terminated by Uzodinma’s administration.

“The question is; if this government could treat the masses this way, what other dividends of democracy will Uzodinma’s administration offer to Imo people after displaying high level of ignominy, slur, infamy, intense dislike and utter abandonment of a N10 billion erosion control project in Urualla?

“It is regrettable to posit that if Uzodinma’s APC-led administration had allowed this project to continue, the issue of the devastating erosion menace in Ideato North and South LGAs would have been tackled,” he added.