Budget: HURIWA asks Uzodimma to focus on rural development, governance

Following his signing into law the state’s 2025 budget, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on Thursday called on Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to focus on addressing the challenges of rural neglect, infrastructure decay, and insecurity.

While commending the governor’s progress on federal road projects, HURIWA expressed concern over the poor state of governance in many of Imo’s local government areas, describing them as “ungoverned spaces.”

The civil rights advocacy group observed that Governor Uzodimma recently signed into law a budget of ₦807 billion, increased from the initial ₦756 billion proposed. The budget allocates ₦694.8 billion (86.09 per cent) to capital expenditure and ₦112.3 billion (13.91 per cent) to recurrent expenditure.

HURIWA noted that while these figures suggest an ambitious plan for infrastructure development, the realities on the ground paint a grim picture of neglect and poor governance.

The association observed that more than 60 per cent of Imo State’s geography, particularly local government areas, remains neglected, with inadequate governance, insecurity, and decaying infrastructure.

It noted the dire state of rural roads and the lack of basic amenities, even in urban areas such as Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe.

According to the group, many residents in these areas rely on ponds for drinking water due to the absence of running water, forcing many residents to rely on ponds for drinking water.

A particular example cited by HURIWA is the road linking Okwe to Arondizuogu, which was either built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) or a previous state administration.

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“The road has now become impassable, with erosion threatening to cut it off completely. This road serves as a major entry point to communities in Onuimo, Okigwe, and Ideato North LGAs from the Okigwe axis,” the association warned that if the road collapses entirely, it would isolate numerous communities and worsen their plight.

HURIWA also drew attention to the neglect of roads built decades ago within Owerri and other urban areas, which have been left to deteriorate, stating that this neglect extends to essential services, including traffic control in Owerri, where lawlessness prevails.

“Drivers ignore traffic rules, traffic controllers resort to begging for money, and police officers appear disengaged. Key roads like the one connecting Rockview Hotel to Assumpta Cathedral are arbitrarily blocked in the evenings, causing unnecessary chaos,” HURIWA said.

Despite these concerns, HURIWA acknowledged Governor Uzodimma’s commendable efforts in rehabilitating federal roads linking Owerri to Okigwe and Owerri to Orlu.

These highways have significantly improved connectivity and ease of travel for residents. However, the association emphasized that governance must not stop at these highways and called for similar attention to be given to rural areas and neglected urban infrastructures.