By Emmanuel Iheaka, Owerri

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has declared that his administration has constructed more roads than all previous administrations in the state since 1999 combined.

The governor made the assertion on Tuesday while presenting his State of the State Address to members of the Imo State House of Assembly in Owerri.

“Without sounding immodest, we have constructed more roads than all previous administrations since 1999, combined. From the dualised Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe roads to the MCC-Toronto-Uratta corridor, this administration has shown that government can indeed be responsive to the people’s needs,” Uzodimma stated.

According to him, his administration has so far completed over 120 roads across the state, with many more currently under construction.

“In the past 18 months alone, we delivered 37 brand new roads, an iconic edifice — the International Conference Centre — and a befitting Government House Annex in Orlu,” he said. “We have also delivered the Assumpta Flyover and the new Concorde-Hilton Hotel as landmark legacy projects.”

Governor Uzodimma further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is expected to visit the state in August to commission many of the ongoing projects that would be completed before the visit. He also said the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to provide lighting for the newly constructed roads.

On education, the governor revealed that his administration had renovated 305 primary schools across all wards in the state, in addition to numerous secondary schools. He noted that the state is currently funding five tertiary institutions and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for approving a N39 billion take-off grant for a new federal university in Imo State.

In the health sector, he announced the recovery of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), rehabilitation of 305 health centres, and equipping of general hospitals. He also noted the establishment of the Imo Health Insurance Scheme, aimed at providing free medical care for residents. Furthermore, he disclosed that the three nursing schools in the state had regained full accreditation.

On security, the governor affirmed that peace has returned to the state and warned that no form of banditry or violence would be tolerated.

Reiterating his commitment to judicial reforms, Uzodimma stated that the state had recorded major achievements in sports, winning 85 medals under his administration. He also said 40,000 youths had been trained in digital skills and provided with startup capital.

The governor highlighted ongoing innovations in agriculture, housing, land administration, and power supply, noting efforts to provide 24-hour electricity across the state.

Speaking on the economy, Uzodimma revealed that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had risen from an average of N400 million in 2020 to nearly N4 billion in 2025. He added that the state’s debt profile had significantly reduced from N259 billion in 2020 to N99 billion in 2025.