Users of the Umuahia-Bende-Arochukwu-Ohafia road will soon heave a sigh of relief as the Federal government has finally mobilized a new contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to commence work on the collapsed parts of the road.
This is in response to a viral video from ABN TV’s “How Your Area” in which a searchlight was beamed on the road, which has the Onu Uduma Bridge Popularly Known As Nmuri Bridge linkage, on the verge of total collapse over persistent rainfall. Our correspondent gathered that the road in question is a federal and not a state government road.
The worse would probably have happened if the Nmuri Bridge, earlier rehabilitated by FERMA was allowed to collapse under the threat of erosion. It would have made the Umuahia-Bende-Arochukwu-Ohafia road totally impassable, with a lot of hardship on commuters.
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The Federal Executive Council approved an additional N12 billion for the project to the sum of N5.49 billion in 2018 for reconstruction work. Only N300 million was allocated in the 2021 Appropriation Bill for the project.
The arrival of CCECC equipment on the affected site on Wednesday came with a ray of hope to the people of Ohafia and all users of the road. This follows the exit of the former contractor, Heartland, whose contract was revoked over issues arising from the quality of jobs.
The member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibe Okwara when contacted by ABN TV said he is aware of the development, saying it is a product of his engagement with the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi through the government of Abia State to see how works could be carried out on the road and Nmuri bridge, to save it from total collapse.
He thanked the governor, Dr. Alex Otti, his deputy, and the Senator representing Abia North Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu for their swift response in the state of the road.
The lawmaker also urged host communities to offer maximum cooperation to the contractor to ensure the smooth and timely completion of the palliative work.
