Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has officially flagged off the reconstruction of the long-abandoned Igwu River Bridge, popularly known as Omenuko Bridge, breaking the decades-old jinx of having a firm and reliable bridge in the area.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Ozuabam, Arochukwu Local Government Area, Governor Otti emphasized that although the bridge is located on a federal road, his administration remains committed to serving the people regardless of jurisdiction.
“This project, as has been said repeatedly, is supposed to be a Federal project. Yes, many people reached out to me, just like the House of Representatives member recalled. What we are doing as a government is that anywhere we see that work needs to be done, we don’t wait for people to ask us—we begin to do the work. You can be sure that your government, which is a very responsible government, will attend to them,” Governor Otti stated.
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He revealed that his administration initially excluded the project from the 2024 budget, believing that the Federal Government had already awarded the contract. However, after further inquiries, they discovered that the information was incorrect, leading to budget adjustments and successful virement to fund the project.
“One thing that is clear is that before we start any project, we already have plans to fund that project. I am glad to report to you today that the money required to complete this road project is sitting somewhere, waiting,” he assured.
The Governor further directed the Commissioner for Works to revise the project’s completion timeline from one year to nine months, based on assurances from the contractor handling the reconstruction.
In addition to the bridge project, Governor Otti announced the approval for the reconstruction of the Abam Ring Road and the establishment of a primary healthcare centre in Abam community, as requested by the President General of the Abam Development Union.
“Prior to this time, I was informed that there was at least one primary healthcare centre in every ward, but today, I know better. As we speak, we are renovating Primary Healthcare Centres across the state. As I leave here, I will call the Honourable Commissioner for Health to begin arrangements for setting up a healthcare centre in this community,” he assured.
On the Abam Ring Road, Governor Otti revealed that the government had already begun preliminary work and had awarded the 23-kilometre road to two contractors, with work expected to commence in the coming weeks.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon. Uchenna Okoro, Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, and Dr. Okoro Kalu Christopher, Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, lauded Governor Otti for his bold step in reconstructing the Omenuko Bridge.
They lamented that the colonial-era bridge had remained in poor condition for several decades, with successive politicians from Arochukwu/Ohafia Constituency using it as a campaign promise without taking action. They praised Governor Otti for finally breaking the age-long jinx surrounding the bridge.
Providing technical details, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, disclosed that the Omenuko Bridge will span 45 meters in length and 8 meters in width, with a completion timeline of nine months. He assured that the bridge, upon completion, would enhance safety and strengthen social and economic connectivity.
Engr. Oti noted that the bridge, which connects Abia North and Abia Central zones, has long been a political campaign tool for past administrations. He commended Governor Otti for taking decisive action to reconstruct the bridge.
Additionally, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, emphasized the historical significance of the bridge to the people of Abam and the broader benefits its reconstruction would bring.
Earlier, the President General of Ozuabam Development Union, Captain Chibuike Usim, described the bridge as a vital infrastructure constructed over 70 years ago but left in a deteriorated state despite multiple political promises.
He highlighted the bridge’s importance to several communities and expressed deep appreciation to Governor Otti for his commitment to developing rural areas. He assured the Governor of the community’s continued support while also drawing attention to the poor condition of the Abam Ring Road and the lack of a functional primary healthcare centre in the area.
The flag-off ceremony marked a significant milestone in Governor Otti’s administration’s efforts to improve critical infrastructure in Abia State, reinforcing his commitment to delivering impactful governance.
