Mixed Reactions Greet Okorocha’s First Year Record

Residents of Imo on Friday gave conflicting scores to Gov. Rochas Okorocha’s administration, saying that while he performed well in some areas, he is however, found wanting in others.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Friday, scored the governor between 60 per cent and 80 per cent in the areas of infrastructure development and education.

Mr Ibekwe Nwokocha, a business man, noted that Okorocha was voted into power by the masses because they believed that he would perform.

Nwokocha, who commended the governor for performing well in the area of road networks and scholarship, however, faulted him on N500 being given to students.

He said the money should have been channeled to better uses as the pupils squander it once it was given to them.

Mr Emma Ezenwa commended the governor for reconstructing what he called an ancient road from Ogube to Imeogugu in Okigwe, explaining that the road was abandoned by past administrations.

Mr Eddy Azubuike, a retired principal in one of the secondary schools in the state, also commended Okorocha for giving many roads a facelift and for making significant impact in the education sector.

He said new roads were opened to ease vehicular movement, noting that the government free education had increased the population of pupils students in schools.

Mrs Gladys Agunenye, another retired secondary school principal, said Imo citizens were feeling the positive impact of Okorocha’s administration, especially in road construction and education.

Agunenye urged residents to exercise patience with the Okorocha’s administration, saying: “no good thing comes easy”.

Mr Patrick Romanus, a pastor in one of the Pentecostal Churches in the state, said that the government did well within the year, but scored it low in the area of security.

He pointed out that more people were being kidnapped, while robbery and some killings were ongoing in the state.

The cleric called on the government to look into the area of security to check the spate of kidnappings and ensure prompt payment of workers’ salary.

“The government has done well in the area of road networks but more still needs to be done. The government should address the issue of insecurity in the state and ensure it pays workers salary as at and when due,” he said.

Romanus also called on Okorocha’s to institute effective communication or dialogue with community leaders to guide against squabbles with members of the community.

The religious leader cited the lingering land dispute between the Amawom community in Owerri and the State Government, noting that constant and effective dialoguing could settle such disputes