Says: Orlu Has More Life Threatening Problems Than Headquarters Ownership Debate
By Dorcas Samson Achi
A Reputable Imo Monarch, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti and Delta States Eze John Nwosu, the traditional ruler of Ihioma autonomous community in Orlu LGA has weighed into the ongoing debate on the ownership of Orlu LGA secretariat.
Speaking to our reporter in Orlu recently, Eze Nwosu who was once a Chairman of Orlu Local Government Council described the debate as “shameful and sordid”, opining that Orlu LGA has more urgent life threatening problems which should be attended to instead of unnecessary arguments of the rightful ownership of the location of Orlu LGA headquarters.
The Eze Idinoba Ojiudo of Isiokwu-Ihioma autonomous community revealed that the ownership of the LGA headquarters has been decided since 1910 when Captain Crawford, District Commissioner and Pay Master of Ihioma Camp, moved from Ihioma and settled at Ugwu Nwapali, having been driven out by soldier Ants invoked by the natives. He further stated that the decision was confirmed when on 17th January 1911 F. H. Ingles established an Administration that ultimately evolved into District and Native Authority Headquarters.
According to him, those arguing about who owns the local government headquarters are not seeking the development of Orlu but only chasing shadows and desiring to ignite problems and break roles in ceremonies.
Eze Nwosu decried that Orlu has witnessed under-developments in the last half decade and desperately needs to return to the path of development which was derailed with burning of Local Government offices and looting of office furniture few years ago.
Furthermore, he revealed that the Orlu Resource Persons Development Council (ORPDC) in 1987 identified twelve development points for Orlu, namely:
Orlu Urban Planning, Orlu Water Scheme, Orlu Industrial Layout, Orlu Technical College of Technology, Orlu Urban Roads, Orlu Primary Health Scheme, Orlu Erosion Control Scheme, Resuscitation of Owerri Ebeiri Packaging Industry, Orlu Specialist/Teaching Hospital which is now realized, Orlu Regional Market, now realized, Orlu Telephone Exchange and Orlu Ihiala Road which are overtaken.
Eze Nwosu expressed displeasure that after thirty eight years, it is only two out of the twelve above mentioned development needs have been realised.
However, the monarch inferred that it is not late for Orlu to experience developmental strides especially with a son of Orlu as the governor. He emphasized that the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma is making visible efforts to bring about a turnaround in Orlu but needs the support, encouragement and cooperation of Orlu people to achieve it.
