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Amid tension after the Indigenous People of Biafra declared Tuesday as sit-at-home, President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the recently reconstructed 36 Kilometres dualised Owerri-Orlu and the first phase of the 53 Kilometres dualised Owerri-Okigwe roads.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that President Buhari performed the inaugurations as part of his one-day working visit to the state, the second since September 2021 as residents of the State observed the sit-at-home order declared by the IPOB.
The President also inaugurated the reconstructed and refurbished Imo House of Assembly Complex in new Owerri, along Port-Harcourt road, Owerri.
Speaking in Amaraku, Isiala-Mbano Council Area, Buhari commended Gov. Hope Uzodimma for his quintessential efforts towards the development of critical infrastructure in Imo.
He called on Imo people to keep faith with the governor and promised support for the government and people of the state.
“I commend Gov. Hope Uzodimma for these wonderful projects and I do hope that it will improve movement of goods and services as well as positively impact the socio-economic activities of the state,’’ the president said.
Also, Gov. Uzodimma said that the two roads qualified as part of the best in Nigeria, adding that they would “remain signature projects” of his government.
He stressed the socio-economic potentials of the roads as “vital to the recovery of the state” and thanked the President for honouring the people of Imo with his visit.
“As part of our 3R mantra, we are recovering roads in Imo and by the grace of God and the continued support of President Muhammadu Buhari, Imo people will be happy that we served them.
“History is being made today. This is a clear indication of our commitment to development of infrastructure. God bless all of us and may God bless you, President Muhammadu Buhari,’’ he said.
It was, however, observed that despite the sit-at-home order by the IPOB, a mammoth crowd of residents and party faithful were present to receive Buhari.
In a statement on Saturday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said IPOB was simply implementing an existing order to lock down Biafraland any day its leader would appear in court at Abuja.
The statement read in part, “The global family and movement of IPOB wishes to announce to the general public, especially Biafrans, that Tuesday, September 13, has been declared a day of civil action in the form of sit-at-home in Biafraland.
“Tuesday’s civil action is very important for two reasons: First, our leader’s Appeal Court hearing that was supposed to be on October 11 has been brought forward to September 13, 2022.”
However, Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State, Declan Emelumba had declared the readiness of security operatives to ensure the President visited without glitches.
“Nobody can threaten Buhari. He is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Imo is one of the states he governs and he is free to visit it. Security is in top gear and I can assure you that his visit will be successful,” the commissioner stated.
TNG reports that Buhari arrived in the State via the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport by 10.46 a.m. where he was received by Uzodimma and members of the State Executive Council.
He also inspected the military guard of honour and exchanged pleasantries with government officials before proceeding to Banana Junction, Orlu council area, on his first port of call.