ACM10:

Yes, Owerri is beautiful. But lacks link roads. Passengers are bogged down with stubborn traffic everyday on a single road. The city is not planned. I love its green scenary by the way.

thats old owerri. The new owerri is well planned. The traffic can be managed with fly overs,effective bus service,tram,mono rail,expansion of roads and traffic control.

Ejiné:

I know right? The original masterplan was designed as a low-density city, similar to Atlanta. And just like Atlanta, this has led to an unbelievably large sprawl... But unlike Atlanta, the roads are taking more traffic than they should.
I think a railway system should be 'explored' for a place like Owerri.
I chose to use the word "explored" because I sabi say railway costs no be beans.

i actually think other parts of imo state should be developed to reducae the inlux of people into the owerri town.i do not know the government's plan on this?

asha 80:

i actually think other parts of imo state should be developed to reducae the inlux of people into the owerri town.i do not know the government's plan on this?

rochas is serious on that. Work is on goin in orlu, same with some other satellite towns. he promised to transform okigwe,dnt no whether his magic stick has touched that part.

centje: rochas is serious on that. Work is on goin in orlu, same with some other satellite towns. he promised to transform okigwe,dnt no whether his magic stick has touched that part.

do you know of the towns in question?

centje: thats old owerri. The new owerri is well planned. The traffic can be managed with fly overs,effective bus service,tram,mono rail,expansion of roads and traffic control.

Majority of Owerri residents lives in old Owerri. It seems unplanned. I think they can do better. The traffic is something else. Moreover, tram and mono rail are too expensive for a government that is struggling to pay its workers. The options left are flyovers and expansion of roads. But, where are the spaces to accomodate these projects in old Owerri? Houses may have to be demolished to inorder to embark on such projects. And Rochas is well aware of its political consequence(s).

ACM10:

Majority of Owerri residents lives in old Owerri. It seems unplanned. I think they can do better. The traffic is something else. Moreover, tram and mono rail are too expensive for a government that is struggling to pay its workers. The options left are flyovers and expansion of roads. But, where are the spaces to accomodate these projects in old Owerri? Houses may have to be demolished to inorder to embark on such projects. And Rochas is well aware of its political consequence(s).

owerri is actually planned.it is just that it is getting over populated.you probably would not have said the same thing if you lived there in the eighties and ninties when go slow was rare in the town.

Ejiné:

I know right? The original masterplan was designed as a low-density city, similar to Atlanta. And just like Atlanta, this has led to an unbelievably large sprawl... But unlike Atlanta, the roads are taking more traffic than they should.
I think a railway system should be 'explored' for a place like Owerri.
I chose to use the word "explored" because I sabi say railway costs no be beans.

Owerri is one of the fast-growing cities in Nigeria. Its inhabitant might double in the next decade. This will be a disaster! The governor needs to concentrate more effort on opening new link roads to decongest traffic in the city. The new Owerri should be developed fast. I doubt if their government can undertake massive project such as city rail system without outside help.

asha 80:

owerri is actually planned.it is just that it is getting over populated.you probably would not have said the same thing if you lived there in the eighties and ninties when go slow was rare in the town.

Government should hasten the development of Owerri capital development area. The current arrangement cannot be sustained on the long run. This will encourage Owerri inhabitants to relocate to the new areas, thereby decongest the city.

Thumbs up to Rochas! Wow! Owerri has indeed changed.the last time I visited owerri was in 2009. May God continue to strenghten him as he put smiles on the faces of ndi imo.

asha 80:

do you know of the towns in question?

i know of orlu,okigwe,mbaise and ngorkpala.

i wish abians, esp politicians will wake up to reality.... The eat garri at crunches and wash hand at jevinik,, **soo clueless**

The population of Owerri has doubled in the past 2 years. As at 2009/2010 there was no traffic in Owerri and no hawkers and no much hustling and bustling except the Douglas area. Owerri is now over-populated and housing has gone the way of Port Harcourt and Abuja. Rochas should try and face that Ohakim's planned ring road. That's the only thing that can forestall total gridlock from happening in the next 2 years. I wonder what swelled the Population of Owerri at that rate.

menaxe: i wish abians, esp politicians will wake up to reality.... The eat garri at crunches and wash hand at jevinik,, **soo clueless**

Abagworo: The population of Owerri has doubled in the past 2 years. As at 2009/2010 there was no traffic in Owerri and no hawkers and no much hustling and bustling except the Douglas area. Owerri is now over-populated and housing has gone the way of Port Harcourt and Abuja. Rochas should try and face that Ohakim's planned ring road. That's the only thing that can forestall total gridlock from happening in the next 2 years. I wonder what swelled the Population of Owerri at that rate.

^^^On the bolded....a number of factors might be responsible: the relocation of Igbos from the north for obvious reasons; sensible people abandoning the sinking ship that is Abia/Aba and relocating to Imos state (can't say i blame them); favourable policies of gov't (being people oriented for the first time in years) leading to an influx of investors/businesses/diasporans.

There's an infrastructural deficit in Owerri, and the Governor should hasten up with planned works for the city; i think there's a 270 billion naira four year development plan in place, and i'd like to know how Owerri would benefit from this; there should be at least 3 new flyovers built, with new housing schemes as well as good durable urban roads and parks (the railway thing can be left for now as it's a bit too capital intensive....unless it's private driven).

God bless the Imo Governor for working towards developing his state. We applaud his effort and may almighty God continue to give him wisdom to develop that state.

PROUD-IGBO:


^^^On the bolded....a number of factors might be responsible: the relocation of Igbos from the north for obvious reasons; sensible people abandoning the sinking ship that is Abia/Aba and relocating to Imos state (can't say i blame them); favourable policies of gov't (being people oriented for the first time in years) leading to an influx of investors/businesses/diasporans.

There's an infrastructural deficit in Owerri, and the Governor should hasten up with planned works for the city; i think there's a 270 billion naira four year development plan in place, and i'd like to know how Owerri would benefit from this; there should be at least 3 new flyovers built, with new housing schemes as well as good durable urban roads and parks (the railway thing can be left for now as it's a bit too capital intensive....unless it's private driven).

You are so right in your first paragraph. In fact, I could count about 10 families that relocated back from the North and are not going back. The people oriented and business friendly policies have drawn others amongst them investors from outside the country and other states in Nigeria to Imo state.

All these have posed new challenges for the government. If what you suggested should be put into place, it will go a long way in moving things forward. Another thing I noticed was, food prices have increased. This is relative to the abovementioned factors. We need increased food production in both urban and rural areas.

As for there roads, there are hiccups, especially the major roads. The last time I was in Owerri, authorities were clearing obstacles including shops for the construction and upgrading of the road network. Imolites are grumbling and not happy with Rochas handling of some of the roads project. Why the slow progress of the road projects? Why did they pour sands, leaving it to the rain to do justice to them ? They said that they didn't expect the rain for an extended period of time and should commence intensive work in the upcoming dry season. Well, imolites are waiting and ever political sensitive. Rochas should thread careful on this particular issue.

Futuristically, nature should be preserved at all cost. Owerri is one of the cities where you can breath very clean air and indeed the whole Imo state. Smart and not haphazard industrialisation should be undertaken. I am encouraged by what I saw. Even in upscale neighbourhoods like world bank, works, etc people still plant things in their compounds. Imolites are environmemtally aware and sensitive.

On a last note, Imo state does not start and end with Owerri. Everywhere should uphold the same standard.....

afam4eva:
The Ojukwu convention center is an institution aimed at promoting Igbo landuage and culture and i think it's very important.

another white elephant project

omicron: another white elephant project

Its already completed.

Abagworo:

Its already completed.

okay, but how will it achieve its aims?

Abagworo: The population of Owerri has doubled in the past 2 years. As at 2009/2010 there was no traffic in Owerri and no hawkers and no much hustling and bustling except the Douglas area. Owerri is now over-populated and housing has gone the way of Port Harcourt and Abuja. Rochas should try and face that Ohakim's planned ring road. That's the only thing that can forestall total gridlock from happening in the next 2 years. I wonder what swelled the Population of Owerri at that rate.

DOUBLED! Hell No! Increased yes, just like many other cities including Enugu and Awka.
But they seem to be coping better esp in terms on housing and roads why?
You have to remember that the surge in traffic also seen in Owerri has alot to do with the state of Enugu PH expressway which has failed.
So that virtually all vehicular traffic going to Enugu/ after Okigwe frm PH Elele axis passes thru Owerri.
The truth is that Owerri is very compact and there is an urgent need to expand it.
Perharps toward Avu.
The good part of New Owerri(and essentially Owerri as a whole) is concord boulevard, that's all. There is no liveable layout with decent roads.
World Bank is a mess. Amakohia and Akwakuma are slums.
Aladinma and prefab are fast deteriorating.
Graceland is expensive for no good reason.
The government needs to focus on ROADS and HOUSING.

ACM10:


dis Rochas got talent in comedy

Bros,laugh wan kill me for hia...chai. But it shows how enthusiastic he is. This guy will do wonders in Imo...watch!

Nice pictures!!

More!

We must reach page 30

NRI PRIEST:

Bros,laugh wan kill me for hia...chai. But it shows how enthusiastic he is. This guy will do wonders in Imo...watch!

Olodo, lazy boi, na to dey seat and watch you know

There are people out there actively making things happen, join them. No food for the lazy

Olodostein:

You are so right in your first paragraph. In fact, I could count about 10 families that relocated back from the North and are not going back. The people oriented and business friendly policies have drawn others amongst them investors from outside the country and other states in Nigeria to Imo state.

....

Propoganda!!

I know 40 families who moved from Imo state, since Rochas entered, to Lagos. Green is greener on the other greenest.

FSU:

This is paradise

Three of five Igbo states are working.
I hope Abia and Ebonyi will wake up soon.

Wow Imo landscape is beautiful. I haven't been to Imo state but looking at that picture, it is too beautiful.

I am not so sure about Abia state but Ebonyi is a definite. Personally I think all SE states need to get involved with Ebonyi politics; we shouldn't let that state and people continuing fall into an endless pit.

Before anyone starts: Anioma can't help since we do not have that much strength in the politics in SS hence the reason I didn't include anioma. Other than ngozi iweala, I can't think of anyother that can provide a great strength in rebuilding of Ebonyi.

Ileke-IdI:


Olodo, lazy boi, na to dey seat and watch you know

There are people out there actively making things happen, join them. No food for the lazy

But you dont know me very well,abi. People who know me think am the most hardworking man on earth ! I will buy you a new pant the day you stop insulting folks.

eaglechild:

DOUBLED! Hell No! Increased yes, just like many other cities including Enugu and Awka.
But they seem to be coping better esp in terms on housing and roads why?
You have to remember that the surge in traffic also seen in Owerri has alot to do with the state of Enugu PH expressway which has failed.
So that virtually all vehicular traffic going to Enugu/ after Okigwe frm PH Elele axis passes thru Owerri.
The truth is that Owerri is very compact and there is an urgent need to expand it.
Perharps toward Avu.
The good part of New Owerri(and essentially Owerri as a whole) is concord boulevard, that's all. There is no liveable layout with decent roads.
World Bank is a mess. Amakohia and Akwakuma are slums.
Aladinma and prefab are fast deteriorating.
Graceland is expensive for no good reason.
The government needs to focus on ROADS and HOUSING.

The city itself has expanded by what I've seen recently. It is no more as compact as you think. Amakohia and Akwakuma are not decent by Owerri standards but is the typical of most other Nigerian cities and mind you they alongside Orji are populated villages that somehow joined the city. The population of the villages in Imo State has increased also and not only Owerri.

.

Abagworo:


The city itself has expanded by what I've seen recently. It is no more as compact as you think. Amakohia and Akwakuma are not decent by Owerri standards but is the typical of most other Nigerian cities and mind you they alongside Orji are populated villages that somehow joined the city. The population of the villages in Imo State has increased also and not only Owerri.

Amakohia and Akwakuma have long been part of Owerri and World bank is presently in the same state with them in terms of roads.The govt house is arguably in Amakohia (shell camp)
What am trying to say is that, there needs to be an urgent replanning of Owerri with purpose built residential layouts catering for all income groups which are linked to the older parts of the city.
The govt house shld be relocated with the police command near it to New Owerri axis to decongest that area that already has Alvan, and FMC struggling for space on the pseudo dualized Orlu road.
Owerri has a lot of potential to grow but it seems the govt is not putting its priorities right. It presently has its hands in too many pie and is confused.

Abagworo:


The city itself has expanded by what I've seen recently. It is no more as compact as you think. Amakohia and Akwakuma are not decent by Owerri standards but is the typical of most other Nigerian cities and mind you they alongside Orji are populated villages that somehow joined the city. The population of the villages in Imo State has increased also and not only Owerri.

.

Ileke-IdI:


Propoganda!!

I know 40 families who moved from Imo state, since Rochas entered, to Lagos. Green is greener on the other greenest.

Hehehe... How would you know, when you are in a far away distant land.

Anyways, we want our brothers to come home and feel at home.

Rochas and a child: