Abia reassures residents over Owerrinta Road flooding, promises lasting solution

The Abia State Government has reassured residents affected by flooding along the ongoing Owerrinta Road reconstruction corridor that the problem will be addressed as part of the road project, urging the public to remain calm.

The assurance followed the circulation of a video on social media showing flooding within a residential compound along the reconstruction corridor.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the government had taken note of the incident and was already working towards a permanent solution.

“While empathising with the affected residents, the Government wishes to assure the public that the situation is receiving attention and will be adequately addressed as part of the ongoing road construction project,” Kanu said.

He explained that preliminary assessments showed the flooding was linked to the area’s natural topography rather than solely the ongoing construction.

According to him, “the affected location has a long-standing topographical challenge arising from its naturally undulating terrain. The compound sits on a downward slope from the main road, a condition that has historically made it susceptible to water accumulation during periods of heavy rainfall.”

He added that residents familiar with the area could attest that flooding had occurred there over the years, although the ongoing reconstruction had “temporarily amplified the situation.”

The commissioner also addressed political interpretations surrounding the incident, saying the administration remained focused on solving the problem.

“The Government is also aware that the current public discourse surrounding the incident has unfortunately attracted political interpretations. However, the Government remains focused on facts, the welfare of residents, and the successful delivery of quality infrastructure rather than political distractions,” he stated.

Kanu noted that because the project was still under construction, engineers had the opportunity to assess the drainage system and make the necessary corrections before completion.

“It is important to note that the road project is still under construction. Consequently, the present stage of work provides the Ministry of Works and the project contractor with the opportunity to further assess the drainage pattern and implement any necessary engineering adjustments to ensure that the completed project effectively addresses the concerns raised,” he said.

He reiterated that the objective of reconstructing and dualising the road was to improve road safety and economic activities, not to create hardship for residents.

The commissioner recalled that similar drainage issues encountered during the reconstruction of the Onuimo–Umuahia Road corridor were successfully resolved, assuring residents that “the same level of professionalism and responsiveness will be applied in this case.”

He also attributed the flooding to the unusually heavy rainfall recorded over the past two days.

“The past two days have witnessed unusually heavy rainfall, a natural phenomenon that has contributed significantly to the flooding observed. Such extreme weather conditions… provide valuable insights that enable engineers to identify and address potential drainage deficiencies before project completion,” Kanu said.

He urged residents of the affected area to remain calm, assuring them that the state government would continue working closely with the Ministry of Works and the contractor to ensure that the issue is comprehensively resolved.