I left the Chairman of Ndi Nze Na Ozo Ideato South LGA of Imo State, Nze Chief Valentine Emeka Mbanuzue, Oshimiri, his wife, Lolo Eunice and elder brother, Dr. Nze High Chief Sir Jude Mbanuzue, husband of late former Chairman of Ideato South LGA of Imo State, High Chief Dr. Lady Maria Mbanuzue aka Mama Uwa, at their palatial mansion in Okorobi Umueshi about 9am on Tuesday 10th June, 2025, headed for Ideato South LGA Headquarters Dikenafai.
But I had to first get to Ntueke junction. About 9am, I saw a convoy of army vehicles park near Ntueke Junction. Seconds later, two expatriates resembling Lebanese alighted and started inspecting the road construction project.
I suspected they were staff of Craneburg Construction Company and rushed to them, breezing past the soldiers armed to the teeth with AK 47 rifles, grenades and bayonets.
I introduced myself to the senior staff, commended their work and told him that I want them to rebuild the road leading from that junction to Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi-Dikebafai-Okwelle. To demonstrate my concern, I gave him a copy of the current Newsblast with Dike Obih, the son of late governorship candidate Dr. Collins Obih urging Governor Hope Uzodimma to rebuild the road. I told him I wanted to know when the project would be completed.
“I am Abu Ali. As you can see, I am busy inspecting the progress of the work, so I can’t talk now. You can go to our plant yard and ask for Engr. Joseph and tell him I sent you to talk with him”, he replied.
One of the soldiers described the location of the plant yard to me and off I zoomed.
On arrival, it was clear that Craneburg is dead serious about completing the project as soon as possible.
Joseph went out and would soon be back, according to the material movement recorder at the gate named Ebebe Ebebe (Forever),
On return, he tells you his name is “Joseph Hamadi, the carpenter”. As in the father of Jesus in the Bible. But this guy is Lebanese and they are notably Muslims!! You discover that this one is actually a Roman Catholic adherent. Now sure that he has a swell sense of humor, twisting the fact that he is actually an engineer. You narrate to him your encounter with Abu Ali who initially told you his own name is Yusuf Mustapha maybe for fear of the current Nigeria but went real as he discovered that you meant business.
No time to waste. “Joseph, I have discussed with the Governor’s wife and her father about the Okwelle-Dikenafai-Isiekenesi-Ntueke Road and they assured me that immediately you finish this project, you will start with my road. So, I am here to hear directly from the horse’s mouth so that I will know what to tell my people”.
He scratches his head and replies, “By April next year, we should be done. We are contractors. If the governor signs the contract, we do the work”
You allow him to go and continue with his work without delay so as not to delay your own road project, now reassured that between April and June, 2026, the road you have been fighting tooth and nail for at all levels over the years will be rebuilt before Governor Hope Uzodimma leaves office on January 15, 2028!!
After all, there should be something in a name. Uzodimma must continue to mean “The Road Is Good”