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The prevalence of refuse (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) in the urban and rural areas of Imo State including the State Capital is a worrisome situation. Many people reflected back and saw that the state has lost its pride as the cleanest State Capital in the country during the tenure of Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe of the blessed memory as Governor of Imo State.
Realising the importance of a clean environment, Chief Ikedi Ohakim in his campaign manifesto (IKEDI OHAKIM: THE MAN AND HIS VISION) CLEAN and GREEN promised to give Imo State a new face should he clinch the governorship of Imo State. He said in the document quote "Three months after swearing in, work will commence in the integrated municipal solid waste management system." when finally he emerged as the Governor-elect and was later sworn-in, he reiterated his determination to rid the State Capital and indeed the entire state of filth as contained in his maiden broadcast of June 4th, 2007 and inaugurated address of 29th May 2007.
OBJECTIVES OF THE CLEAN AND GREEN INITIATIVE
In launching his transformational Clean and Green Initiative in August 2007, Gov Ikedi Ohakim had said, "we shall recreate Imo State to become a Garden State and Owerri, the jewel in its crown, into a sparkling clean and alluring metropolis where flowers bloom and the fields are Chlorophyll green all year round."
Therefore, the motive behind the Clean and Green Initiative includes;
- The Restoration of the Owerri Master Plan
- Restoration of Monthly Cleanup exercise
- Demolition of illegal structures/shanties
- Demolition of illegal bill boards
- Installation of mobile toilets in Owerri Metropolis
- Massive Cleaning and Greening of the Environment.
ACHIEVEMENT OF CLEAN AND GREEN INITIATIVE
There is a monumental transformation of Owerri and Imo State wrought by the Gov Ikedi Ohakim administration to a magnitude not witnessed since the administration of Governor Sam Mbakwe. Using the instrumentality of Imo State Environmental Transformation Committee (ENTRACO), Owerri which had become a shanty town sitting on a refuse heap has been restored to a "Clean and Green", city.
The programme, has changed the face of the state, transforming it into an investors first choice the terms of :
Environmental allure: This programme has transformed the state, especially the capital city Owerri, into one of the cleanest state capital in Nigeria.
- The drainage system has been cleanest walkways provided along major roads and more than 3000 unsightly billboards pulled down.
- The capital has also been rid of over 1000 abandoned vehicles, which had littered the city evacuated hundred of metric tons of refuse as well as removed illegal structures
- However, the beatification process has been progressing with the greening of the road shoulders.
- The dredging of the Nworie River is still on-going, which will boost tourism potentials to the state in the long run when completed.
- The construction of roads in the state will boost transport and tourism potentials.
- The painting of all walls in every major street in Owerri has boosted the aesthetic value of the city.
- The banning of commercials motorcycling in the Owerri metropolis.
- Beyond projecting the environment, a major plank of the Imo State government tourism vision is a N60 billion landmark project, the Imo Wonder Lake and Resort centre, to be sited in Oguta. The Imo Wonder Lake project will make a turning point In Imo State economy if built as conceived. Its multiplier effect will spiral to other sectors. At the construction stage the project is estimated to create about 30,000 Jobs and upon completion expected to engage over 15,000 people in gainful employment and generate income for, the state. This is in tandem with the president Umaru Musa Yaradua 7-point agenda, which has wealth creation and infrastructural development as some of its focal points.
IMO STATE ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSFORMATION COMMITTEE (ENTRACO)
In keeping with his promise of transforming Imo State as it concerns Refuse management and Beautification, Chief Ikedi Ohakim appointed a 15- man Environmental Transformation Committee (ENTRACO). His Excellency, Chief Ikedi Ohakim on 6th July 2007 at the Multipurpose Hall, Owerri, formally inaugurated this Committee. According to him the "Clean and Green Initiative" is aimed at "transforming the urban centers of the State into serene environment in which the lives of Imo citizens are protected from the present calamitous state." He charged the committee with the responsibility of realizing the objectives of the Clean and Green Initiative, which hinges on "to clean up Imo in readiness for welcoming the world."
