[7] The Imo was cleared under the British colonial administration of Nigeria in 1907–1908 and 1911; first to Aba and then to Udo near Umuahia.

The major supply of drinkable water for Owerri, the Otamiri River, may dry up if people of the state's capital city continue to pollute it, according to a warning from Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation.

The General Manager (GM), Emeka Ugoanyanwu, said over the weekend that locals should not dispose of trash, urinate, bury the dead, and build soak-away pits along the river.

A project to deliver clean water to Imo residents will also get underway by January, according to the World Bank.

Three monarchs from five autonomous communities in the Owerri municipality were present for a roundtable discussion hosted by the Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development when Ugoanyanwu made this announcement.