The people of Orsu- Ihitteukwa in Imo State have expressed grief over the loss of over 6,000 natives during the insurgency in the community.
The secretary of Orsu-ihitteukwa Clan Development Assembly, Kelechi Chukwu, while presenting an address to the deputy governor , Lady Chinyere Ekomaru yesterday, said the insurgency that once held the state to ransom claimed the
lives of more than 6,000 residents of Orsu-ihitteukwa, had their market, Ekeututu, destroyed, infrastructure ravaged, schools and churches burnt and electricity and power lines vandalised.
He said their community was used as both a camp for the insurgents and a launch pad for attacking neighbouring communities.
While expressing their gratitude for Governor Uzodimma’s actions and interventions in the community, Mr. Chukwu appealed for total rehabilitation of destroyed infrastructure and internal roads, reconstruction of schools, churches, markets and health centres, deployment of medical personnel to the health centres, and financial assistance to business men and women to stimulate vibrant economic activities.
According to him, if their demands are granted, it would help the people settle down to normal life again, while pledging continued support for Governor Hope Uzodimma, the 3R Administration and security agencies in sustaining peace, promoting community vigilance, and contributing local participation and ownership to every meaningful development initiative.
At the instance of the Deputy Governor, before the commencement of proceedings, a minute silence was observed to honour the people of Orsu-ihitteukwa and others who lost their lives in the wake of the insecurity
Chukwu, noted that the people of Orsu-ihitteukwa are today singing a new song, a song of peace, security and gratitude, profusely thanking Governor Hope Uzodimma for rising to the occasion when it mattered most by mobilising security agencies to their rescue and saving them from extermination.
He thanked the governor for the ongoing construction of the Orlu – Orsu – Ihialla road, which is nearing completion, and other interventions to salvage Orsu, which was completely destroyed by non-state actors both from Imo and outside the state.