TINUBU’S SUBSIDY REFORMS PAYING OFF AS IMO SHOWCASES GAINS, SAYS OPIAH ●APC EYES 2027 SWEEP AS ORASHI RIVER PROJECT, FREE TRADE ZONE ANCHOR IMO’S INDUSTRIAL AMBITION

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TINUBU’S SUBSIDY REFORMS PAYING OFF AS IMO SHOWCASES GAINS, SAYS OPIAH

●APC EYES 2027 SWEEP AS ORASHI RIVER PROJECT, FREE TRADE ZONE ANCHOR IMO’S INDUSTRIAL AMBITION

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Imo State on Thursday brought their statewide grassroots engagement to a resounding close in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area, delivering a forceful defence of ongoing economic reforms while projecting confidence in the development trajectory of the state under Governor Hope Uzodimma.

At the grand finale held in Mmahu, the State Coordinator of the group, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Opiah, declared that the tour, which traversed all 27 local government areas, had succeeded in bridging the gap between policy and public understanding at a time of intense national debate over reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a speech marked by clarity and conviction, Opiah described the ambassadors not merely as a political group but as a movement “born out of patriotism and sustained by the belief that Nigeria can and must work for all.” He said the engagement was necessitated by misconceptions surrounding government policies, insisting that direct interaction with the grassroots had helped to demystify reforms and restore public confidence.

From Aboh Mbaise, where the tour began, to the oil-rich communities of Ohaji-Egbema, he said, the ambassadors met people eager for clarity and willing to embrace change when properly informed.

“We spoke not in abstract jargon but in the language of everyday life,” he noted, adding that the response across communities showed that “the people understand, the people believe, and the people are ready.”

Central to his address was a robust defence of the removal of fuel subsidy, a policy he described as both inevitable and long overdue. For decades, he argued, the subsidy regime drained national resources while enriching a narrow elite, evolving into a system riddled with inefficiency and corruption. While past administrations hesitated, he said, the Tinubu administration demonstrated uncommon courage by taking decisive action from its first day in office.

According to Opiah, the early benefits of that decision are already evident in increased allocations to states and improved fiscal capacity to invest in infrastructure and social services. He maintained that what was once lost to opaque subsidy payments is now being redirected toward meaningful development.

In Imo State, he said, the impact of these reforms is visible in a wave of infrastructural expansion and sectoral improvements under Governor Uzodimma. He cited the construction of over 130 roads across the state as a defining achievement, noting that improved connectivity is unlocking rural economies and bringing governance closer to the people.

He also pointed to significant strides in the health sector, including the revitalization of general hospitals, expansion of primary healthcare services, and the strengthening of facilities at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital in Orlu, where a functional oxygen plant has enhanced the state’s capacity to handle critical medical cases. The result, he said, is a healthcare system increasingly capable of addressing complex conditions that once required referrals outside the state.

Opiah further highlighted ongoing improvements in electricity supply, particularly in parts of Owerri, describing stable power as the lifeblood of industrial growth. With better electricity, he argued, businesses can thrive, production costs can decline, and the foundation for industrial takeoff can be firmly established.

Beyond immediate gains, the coordinator painted an ambitious picture of Imo’s economic future, anchored on the transformation of the Orashi region. He described the development of an industrial cluster in the corridor as a deliberate shift from a consumption-based economy to one driven by production and innovation. This vision, he said, is being reinforced by plans to dredge the Orashi River to create access to the Atlantic Ocean, a move expected to reduce logistics costs and position the state within global trade routes.

Coupled with the proposed Export Free Trade Zone, the initiative represents what he called a coherent blueprint for sustainable prosperity, capable of attracting investment, promoting manufacturing, and creating employment for the state’s growing youth population.

On fiscal management, Opiah pointed to what he described as a culture of discipline in Imo State, citing regular payment of salaries and pensions, improved liquidity, and a significant reduction in domestic debt. He argued that these measures have strengthened economic stability and enhanced the quality of life for residents, even amid broader national challenges.

He also referenced recent data indicating low poverty incidence in the state, attributing the outcome to deliberate policies and responsible governance. “This is not by accident,” he said. “It is the product of discipline, vision, and commitment to the welfare of the people.”

Opiah expressed confidence in the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, asserting that the party’s performance has effectively neutralized opposition voices. He predicted a repeat of the party’s 2023 electoral success in the 2027 general elections, arguing that “performance inspires confidence and results earn trust.”

He also called on Ndi Igbo to adopt a strategic approach to national politics by aligning with the current administration, suggesting that such alignment could advance long-term aspirations for greater political inclusion at the federal level.

He disclosed that the Renewed Hope Ambassadors are set to transition into a new phase of engagement through town hall meetings aimed at deepening grassroots participation.

Opiah said the movement would continue to educate, mobilize, and build support for government policies, ensuring that citizens remain active participants in the governance process.

Earlier, the Ohaji-Egbema LGA Chairman, Hon. Prince Marcel Amadioha, who is also the Coordinator for Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, described Opiah as a man who mentored many of them and changed the political history of the local government.

While inaugurating the ward coordinators, Amadioha said that the 12 ward coordinators were selected based on their capacities and closeness to their people.

“We will deliver,” he assured, adding that so many new converts from other parties have already joined the APC in the LGA based on the messages preached by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

A leader in the area and former state legislator, Dr. Esom Obodo, thanked Opiah, saying that God has used him to bless Ohaji/Egbema LGA.

He said: “Opiah has always scored A, so much that his colleagues in the state assembly elected him Speaker. In return, we elected him into the House of Representatives.

“Subsequently, he was appointed minister and he performed well. He knows his onions and we are not surprised that he is leading this key advocacy group in Imo State called the Renewed Hope Ambassadors