The Presidency has said that state and federal governments are working together in the delivery of development projects, with an increase in the monthly allocation.
Mr Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, stated this on Thursday while speaking during the Renewed Hope Ambassadors National Media Tour in Imo.
Dare acknowledged that the projects inspected so far demonstrate the impact of the strong partnership between the Federal and Imo State Governments in delivering people-centred development.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the increased FAAC allocation that comes monthly from the Federal Government to the state government, providing extra funds for development projects.
We have seen in a couple of other states in the North, how APC governors have been utilising these extra FAAC allocation funds for infrastructural development and we have seen how state and federal governments are working together in projects delivering,” he said.
The presidency expressed satisfaction with the scale and quality of infrastructure development in Imo State, describing the projects inspected as clear evidence of purposeful leadership and effective collaboration between the Federal and State Governments.
Among the projects inspected was the Imo Digital City, where smartphones and laptops are being assembled, providing employment opportunities to young people while positioning Imo as a growing centre for digital technology and innovation in Nigeria.
The team inspected the ongoing construction of a 2000-bed capacity ultra-modern infectious disease centre in partnership with the NNPCL, expressing the hope that the facility would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s public health preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks.
Also inspected were the ongoing construction of a world-class Heart Transplant Centre at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, in Orlu Local Government, the ongoing expansion of the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre in Owerri into a modern facility with a seating capacity of over 2,000, and the construction of a five-star hotel comprising more than 110 rooms by the state government.
Speaking during the inspection tour, Dare said Imo State is aligning with the mission and vision of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the implementation of different legacy projects across the State.
“When you talk about the micro of the Renewed Hope Agenda, such features are like this infrastructure and the human capital development we just saw in Orlu Local Government, now a 2000-bed infectious disease center at almost 85% completion.
“We saw the oxygen plant, we saw the revitalization of the healthcare centre that had been abandoned for several years and I think this is the kind of projects that are impactful to the people and that is what Renewed Hope is all about,” he said.
The team also inspected the ongoing construction of the strategic 19-kilometre Orlu–Akokwa–Uga Border Road, linking Imo and Anambra States. According to the Special Adviser, the project will address the devastating menace of gully erosion while providing a critical interstate transport corridor that will improve connectivity, facilitate commerce, and promote regional integration.
Dare, in a statement signed by Tunde Rahman, Director of Media & Publicity, Renewed Hope Ambassadors, also praised the state government’s decisive intervention in resolving the accreditation and certification challenges that previously prevented graduates of Imo State medical schools from obtaining specialist recognition, describing the achievement as a major boost for healthcare delivery and medical education.
The presidential aide also commended the ongoing construction of a world-class Heart Transplant Centre at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, which is expected to expand access to specialised cardiovascular care and reduce the need for Nigerians to seek advanced medical treatment abroad.
The establishment of the Imo State University of Innovation, Science and Technology in Imuma also earned high praise for its focus on science, technology, engineering and innovation, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of developing a knowledge-driven economy.
Earlier, the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba, commended the fact-finding efforts of the Presidential Media Team under the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ national media tour.
Emelumba said Imo, under the leadership of Governor Uzodinma, will continue to prioritise people-oriented projects by aligning with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Tour is an initiative of the Governor Hope Uzodinma-led Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Communications Team.
The delegation, which included members of the Presidential Communications Team and over 40 senior journalists, toured several completed and ongoing projects across Imo and applauded Governor Uzodinma for driving an infrastructure revolution that is transforming the state into a major hub for innovation, healthcare, education and economic development.
