Oguta Lake/Orashi River Dredging – Answers For Doubting Thomases

These doubting Thomases express that the project should be a Federal Project, that Imo State cannot afford the project, that the waters are too shallow, that the distance to the ocean is too far, that the Navy should not be involved, and so forth and so on. In all these, the bottom line is that the project is not feasible according to them.

As good and as logical as their argument may look and sound, we must not fail to look at their motives, where are they coming from, and what do they want to achieve with their condemnations and inquisitions.? What is the strength of their arguments?. Has modern engineering not conquered more dangerous and hazardous projects?

On September 12, 1962, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech in New York City. He said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”

And what does it mean when we say that, you don t have to see the whole staircase just take the first step? It means that you should take the first step, with the faith that the rest of the staircase is there, and that you will be able to get to your destination if you can manage to keep taking step after step. These critical steps were what led to freedom for black slaves in the United States.

The Imo State Governor himself could see the big picture which he captured succinctly at the flag-off by saying that, “What we are doing here today is to sow the seeds of unquenchable employment and economic opportunities for the future”.

For those who argued that Imo State don’t have the money for such a gigantic project, the Governor himself explained that the project will not rely solely on government budget, but will be accomplished through public, and private partnerships. He stated that the project being flagged off is a harbinger of several multi-faceted development projects encapsulated in security and economic development.

And for those who said the distance is too far, and the project is not feasible, the Governor equally threw more light on the behind the scene activities leading to the flag-off. He said, “Before delving into this phase which we are flagging off today, we conducted several preliminary studies that involved a detailed geophysical, bathymetric and geotechnical survey of the entire Oguta Lake and its immediate tributaries. Desktop studies and verification of satellite-derived images were also conducted”

Governor Uzodimma also answered those who said the water is too shallow when he described the flag-off as involving the determination and mapping of the existing water depths all through the proposed sea route from Oguta Lake to Orashi River, to Degema and finally to the Atlantic Ocean. “In a nutshell, the hydrographic survey and dredging which is a prelude to the clearance of the entire route will serve the dual purpose of engendering economic development and maritime security” he narrated.

On the benefits of sea access when completed, the Imo State Governor made it clear that the people of South Eastern Nigeria will experience an economic boom when the project is realized. “This will manifest not only in increased trade activities but also in the form of additional employment opportunities for the citizens of Imo State and indeed the South East region as a whole…what we are doing here today is to sow the seeds of unquenchable employment and economic opportunities for the future, and this project alone can make the South East region a robust self-sufficient economy,” he said.

Nothing good comes easy and we should not always take the easy way out. We must join hands together in cooperation and in support of the government to surmount all impediments towards achieving the envisaged success of the dredging for the benefit of all.