The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has said his administration reduced the state’s debt profile by 60 percent, from N259bn in 2020 to N99bn, saying it is an indication of his government’s clear signal of financial management.
Uzodimma made the disclosure while addressing stakeholders at the State of Imo address at the State House of Assembly Owerri on Tuesday.
The governor who disclosed that he had no plans of borrowing money said the debt reduction was a clear signal of prudent financial management.
He disclosed that the internally generated revenue had increased by 500 per cent from ₦400 Million in 2020 to nearly ₦4 billion in 2025, noting that it had given the State the room to invest in infrastructure and services.
The governor said, “I am pleased to report that our administration has also reduced the state’s debt profile from ₦259 billion in 2020 to ₦99 billion in 2025.
“This reduction of 60% is a clear signal of our prudent financial management.
“In today’s Nigeria, where subnational governments are called to do more with less, Imo is showing that with vision, discipline, and reform, progress is possible”.
On the IGR, Uzodimma said “the impact is visible: our monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has grown from an average of ₦400 Million in 2020 to nearly ₦4 billion in 2025, an increase of about 500%.
” This performance gives us the fiscal breathing room to invest in infrastructure and services, even as federal allocations continue to look up”.
The governor disclosed that Imo State currently boasts of five higher institutions and that Tinubu had approved a take-off grant of over ₦30billion for the newly approved Federal University, Okigwe, saying it was an unprecedented milestone in the education journey of Imo State.
He said “It gives me great joy to announce that Imo State has a brand new federal university.
“Thanks to the magnanimity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who not only signed the bill establishing the Federal University, Okigwe, into law but also approved a take-off grant of N39 billion.
“This is no small feat. With this development, Imo now proudly hosts five public universities, an unprecedented milestone in our educational journey.
“We give God all the glory.”
Uzodinma said the institutions are Imo State University, Owerri; K.O. Mbadiwe University, Ogboko; University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo; Imo State Polytechnic; and Ben Uwajumogu College of Education, Ihitte Uboma.
He disclosed that Imo State has a new transport chain known as the Imo Heartland Mass Transit Programme which will commence in the coming weeks aimed at “improving mobility, reducing travel costs, and creating jobs. Contracts have already been awarded, and contractors have been mobilised to the site.”
The transport scheme will have three bus terminals located at Egbu Road, Onitsha Road, and Naze Road, along with 256 bus stops strategically placed across the state, adding that the terminals or shelters are being constructed to world-class standards as part of a long-term plan to reshape urban and rural movement in Imo state.
Other achievements include the full automation of the civil service and its operations to stamp out fraud and ease service delivery, training and retraining of staff with modern-day work skills, prompt payment of salaries and pension, and uploading of backlog merited promotions as well as promotion of workers.
The governor said his administration had constructed more roads than all previous administrations since 1999 combined.
He said “Our commitment to infrastructure remains resolute.
“Today, Imo boasts of one of the most extensive and impactful road networks in Nigeria.
“Without sounding immodest, we have constructed more roads than all previous administrations since 1999, combined.
“To date, we have completed over 120 roads across the state.
“In the past 18 months alone, we delivered 37 brand new roads, an iconic edifice, the International Conference Center, and a befitting Government Housing Annex Orlu.
“We also have the Assumpta Flyover and the new Concorde-Hilton Hotel as landmark legacy projects”.
Some of the new roads listed were Toronto – Orji Road, Naze-Ogbosisi Road, Orlu – Nkume-Umuowa Road, Oru West LGA Road, Mgbidi-Omuma-Okporo Road, Amiri- Omuma Road, Ihialla -St Joseph_Eziachi Road, Okwudor-Awo omamma Road, Toronto-Ekemmegbuoha Road, Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road, IMSUTH road Orlu, Alaba International Market, Orlu–Akokwa–Uga Road (19.2km), and several others.
Other achievements listed by Uzodimma include health, sports, women’s affairs and social welfare, digital economy and e-governance, light up Imo project (electricity), housing, restoration of lands illegally diverted, amongst others.
The governor assured that Imo is safe as his administration had clamped down on criminals and those instigated by politicians, adding that with the support of the Federal Government and security agencies, the state had reclaimed its place as the hospitality capital in the southeast.
Uzodimma said,”As the Chief Security Officer of the state, I have never taken this responsibility lightly.
“You are all aware of the troubling period when our state was targeted by politically motivated insecurity, marked by banditry, violence, and lawlessness.
“But we did not fold our arms. We acted, resolutely and collaboratively.
“Through sustained partnership with the federal government and security agencies, we have steadily reclaimed the peace of Imo.
“I am pleased to report that the state capital, Owerri, has hosted several national and international conferences in the past year, without any incidents.
“That is no coincidence; rather it is the fruit of deliberate effort. Imo is returning to its rightful place as the hospitality capital of the South East.”
He, however, appealed to instigators of violence to stop, saying no personal ambition is worth the blood of the people, as he called on them to join hands with his government in building, not destroying the state.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
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