By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe 

Commendations are mounting as motorists and other road users have expressed their gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodinma for the ongoing rehabilitation of roads and streets in the Imo State Capital, as well as the beautification exercise which had witnessed the cutting of grasses, repainting of road signs and demarcations. Other residents in Owerri shared similar views with all hailing the exercise as impactful and timely especially with the forthcoming yuletide when the state is expected to witness an influx of her citizens from around the world.

Our correspondent who went round the town on fact-finding mission reported that some major roads and streets in the state capital 
have undergone resurfacing in addition to other beautification works. He disclosed that Okigwe Road, Assumpta Avenue (Bank Road), Wetheral Road among others as well as streets like Mbari are now rehabilitated with new looks. The report also revealed that bad spots which before now affected vehicular movements had been craped and asphalted.

The project followed the directives from Governor Hope Uzodimma 
that urgent resurfacing of roads and streets in Owerri, the capital territory be carried out to ensure smooth movements in the affected areas for motorists. This led the State Ministry of Works to commence the massive rehabilitation exercise which had witnessed acceleration by the contractors handling them.

Meanwhile, some motorists and other road users who fielded questions from our reporter, expressed joy that the efforts of the state government in fixing those roads would bring succour to them, adding that such would go along way in portraying the state government in good light as being alive to its responsibilities and responsive to the needs of its citizens. According to them, the performance of a government is evaluated when it citizens feel the positive impacts of its policies and programmes.

Leading other respondents, Mr. Anthony Onyeka, who uses his Keke bus for commercial services, declared that he was excited to witness the ongoing resurfacing of roads and streets within the capital, emphasizing the importance of the exercise to commercial drivers whom he noted are always happy to ply good roads because their vehicles are usually spared from tears and wears associated with roads in deplorable conditions as well as other inconveniences.

He said: "I must commend our governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma for this timely intervention in fixing the roads within the state capital. The benefits of this initiative are many for us commercial drivers. When the roads are in good shape, we make more money because the movement would be smooth, and our vehicles would not get spoilt easily as the case with bad roads. If you ask other drivers, they will tell you the same thing. So, I am happy with what I am seeing and must thank the government for undertaking this exercise." 

On his own, a bus driver who gave his name as Ifeanyi Okechi, expressed his gratitude to the Imo State Government for embarking on the rehabilitation work, adding that the positive impacts would not be felt only by residents in the state, but by those who would be coming into the state to celebrate the Christmas season with their loved ones. He added that with the exercise, Governor Uzodimma has demonstrated that he is a leader who is concerned with the welfare of his subjects, as he prayed for hitch free Christmas celebration.

On beatification, Mrs. Ada Ukaegbu, a business owner, disclosed that the changes in Owerri are good to behold as they remind the residents of the nearness of the the Christmas celebration. "It is really nice seeing these changes. The fact is that Owerri today is beautiful as anyone could see that works are going on around the capital. Apart from those undertaking road maintenance works, others are seen cutting the grasses, while some are painting the road demarcations. I think that it is not a bad idea to appreciate Governor Uzodinma for all this. It is actually encouraging with the state capital looking beautiful," she noted.

On the need for rural dwellers to feel the effect of the Christmas road rehabilitations, a civil servant who pleaded anonymity, averred that the state government should look beyond the state capital, but ensure that roads in the rural areas are made motorable for travelers. He pointed out that a lot of roads Owerri town need attention, adding that working on them would complement the work done around the state capital, though he expressed gratitude to the government for embarking on the project.

Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of roads in Owerri and other beautification exercise by the state government have revealed the attendant beauty when a system works for the benefits of the citizens. Since the commencement of the project, the face of the state capital has changed for good as there is the need for its sustenance and expansion.