The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to address the pressing issues of rural neglect, infrastructure decay, and insecurity, following his recent approval of the state’s 2025 budget.
While commending progress on federal road projects, HURIWA expressed concerns over poor governance in local councils, which it referred to as “ungoverned spaces.”
The advocacy group noted that the governor signed into law an increased budget of N807 billion—up from the proposed N756 billion—with N694.8 billion (86.09%) allocated for capital expenditure and N112.3 billion (13.91%) for recurrent spending. Despite this, HURIWA lamented the continued neglect of over 60% of the state’s local councils, which suffer from inadequate governance, insecurity, and crumbling infrastructure.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, the group pointed to deteriorating rural roads and the lack of basic amenities even in urban centers such as Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe, where residents reportedly depend on ponds for drinking water due to a lack of running water.
One critical example cited by HURIWA is the deteriorating road connecting Okwe and Arondizuogu. Initially constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) or a previous administration, the road is now nearly impassable due to erosion, risking complete disconnection of communities in Onuimo, Okigwe, and Ideato North from the Okigwe axis.
HURIWA warned that the road’s collapse would further isolate affected communities, exacerbating their hardships, and urged immediate action to address these challenges.