Tinubu’s Reforms Driving Unprecedented Development Across Nigeria — Imo Gov

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has credited President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms with accelerating infrastructure development across the country, describing the policies as the foundation for Nigeria’s long-term progress.

Uzodimma made the remarks on Friday while hosting members of the Renewed Hope National Media Tour at a dinner held at the Government House in Owerri.

The delegation, made up of Renewed Hope Ambassadors and officials from the Presidential Communications Team, had spent the past three days inspecting federal and state government projects across Imo State.

According to the governor, key reforms introduced under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, have significantly increased allocations to states and boosted internally generated revenue, enabling governments to execute critical development projects.

“The projects you have seen in Imo were only possible because of the reform policies of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu,” Uzodimma said.

The governor disclosed that Imo State’s monthly internally generated revenue had risen from N400 million to N6 billion, while its debt profile had dropped from over N280 billion in 2020 to less than N90 billion.

He said the additional resources had been invested directly in infrastructure to improve the quality of life for residents.

Uzodimma noted that extensive road construction across the state had drastically reduced travel time, with journeys that previously took two to three hours now completed in under 45 minutes.

He also highlighted improvements in the energy sector through the Orashi Power Plant, saying the facility has strengthened electricity generation, transmission and distribution across the state.

The governor assured the delegation that electricity supply from the power plant would be extended to more local government areas before the end of the year.

Drawing a comparison between Tinubu and Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, Uzodimma said the President’s leadership style would ultimately earn him lasting recognition despite initial opposition.

“In Tinubu, I see another Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore who came to power with strong oppositions but became a reference point in terms of quality leadership and development,” he said.

The chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum expressed confidence that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were also using increased revenues from the subsidy removal to deliver infrastructure in their respective states.

“Our people have already decided that they want Tinubu back as president because without him and his policies, this environment we are enjoying today wouldn’t be possible,” he added.

Uzodimma argued that the administration’s reforms since May 2023, coupled with the APC’s growing membership of more than 13 million, provide a strong platform for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He also commended the media tour team for showcasing government projects across the country, stressing that the media remains essential to strengthening democracy and highlighting development.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, praised Uzodimma for his leadership and commitment to implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda in Imo State.

Dare also commended the governor’s role as chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, saying his leadership had contributed to the expansion of the APC’s influence across the country.

According to him, the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration since May 2023 have reshaped governance and positioned the country on a positive development path.

He revealed that the 58-member media delegation had already toured the seven North-West states before extending the exercise to the South-East, where it inspected projects in Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo states.

Dare explained that members of the team provided live reports and real-time photographs from project sites to give Nigerians first-hand information on the implementation of government programmes.

Among the projects visited, he singled out the Imo Digital City as one of the most remarkable.

“We saw quite a number of mind-boggling projects, but when we got to the Imo Digital City, we all took a pause,” Dare said.

He noted that the facility, developed through a public-private partnership, focuses on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, drone technology and telecommunications manufacturing, creating opportunities for young people to acquire digital skills needed for the modern economy.

Dare stressed the importance of showcasing governance achievements through APC-controlled states, particularly as the country approaches future elections.