Governor Rochas Okorocha’s house is among those demolished for the massive upgrade and road network projects in Orlu town, Imo State,Nigeria.

Managing Director of Timik consult Limited, Mr. Goke Anjoirn, one of the firms, handling the projects, told Daily Sun that the governor approved the demolition because the house fell among those to be removed to facilitate the project.
One item that has featured prominently in the Rescue Mission Agenda of Governor Rochas Okorocha is probably the infrastructural development of the three senatorial zones. To this end, Okorocha’s administration has embarked on massive road constructions in the Orlu zone to reverse the critical infrastructural deficit and now the city is wearing a new look.
Driving from Owerri into Orlu, a visitor is greeted by 87-metre span city gate, arguably the largest modern city gate in Africa that is still under construction. When completed the gate would provide a spectacular view to the entry into the envisaged new city of Orlu.
The city gate spans across two six-lane Orlu-Owerri Road Highway. When Daily Sun visited the emerging Orlu city, road construction and beautification projects were ongoing while some have been completed. Anjorin explained that massive demolition and clearing works, which opened up the town for development, were carried out by his firm.
According to him, even one of Governor Okorocha’s buildings was also demolished to pave way for the expansion of old Orlu city. He said Okorocha had allowed his building to be demolished to underline his administration’s serious intentions that no single individual or group could be above the law or constitute a barrier to the desperately needed infrastructural development in the zone.
The Timik boss commended the governor for engaging local contractors in the development of the area.
He disclosed that his company conceptualised the new Orlu city, which Governor Okorocha keyed into. He also noted that if indigenous contractors were given the opportunity and necessary financial backings, they would perform very well and deliver on time.
“Rochas has tremendous vision for development of the state. A lot of road constructions are taking place in Orlu. Government at all levels should invest in local companies and monitor them. Infrastructure should not be left until it goes too bad before government comes in.
“There should be proper monitoring and evaluation of projects and feedback by resident engineers from time to time. Awarding contracts to only foreign firms will not help in capacity- building.
Project management skills are lacking on the side of indigenous contractors. Employing expatriates to join indigenous companies to help out in projects will ensure quicker transfer of technology,” he stressed.