Politics
Otti flags off reconstruction of Omenuko Bridge, restates resolve to rebuild abandoned projects

Abia State governor Dr. Alex Otti says he has put an end to the culture of “blame-game attitude” entrenched in the state by past governments by continuing to reconstruct dilapidating and abandoned federal-government projects located in the state.
The governor noted that as long as such projects are located in Abia, his administration is committed to working for the people not minding whether such projects belong to federal or state government.
He dropped the reassuring commitment to the surging crowd and dancing groups that trooped out to grace the official flag-off of the reconstruction of the 45 metres long by 8 metres wide age-long abandoned Igwu river bridge, popularly called Omenuko bridge.
The bridge had remained in very bad state for 70 years. But Otti is assuring that it will be delivered within nine months.
The long abandoned historic Omenuko bridge, which is located at Ozuabam in Arochukwu LGA of the state, serves as a link road between the two food-producing areas of Abia North and Abia-Central zones.
It had for several years of the present political dispensation, served as a campaign gimmick for politicians from the two political zones.
Otti gave his words that though the Omenuko bridge is located on a federal government-owned Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia- Arochukwu road, his administration is committed to working for the citizenry, not minding whether such projects belong to federal or state government.
His words: “This bridge is being used by Abians and non-Abians alike. On completion, same people will continue using this facility. Like has been said here time and time again, the reconstruction of this bridge is supposed to be a Federal project. Yes, a lot of people reached out to me , including the House of Representatives member from here, narrating the importance of this project to Abians , for the sustenance of businesses and in food production.

Omenuko Bridge,
“What we are doing, as a responsible 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. “.
Governor Otti explained that his government missed out the Omenuko bridge project in 2025 budget, thinking that the bridge had been awarded by the federal government, as claimed by “some of our brothers.”
“But unfortunately, on further enquiry, we found out that the information was not correct. So, we started struggling with the adjustment of the budget and virement; and we have just been successful with it.
“I am glad to report to you today that the money that is required to complete this road project is sitting somewhere waiting”.
The governor, after some discussions with the contractor handling the road project, directed the Commissioner for Works to adjust the delivery period of the project from one year to 9 months.
Not only that, the Governor announced his approval for the reconstruction of the Abam ring road and establishment of primary healthcare centre in Abam community as requested by the President General of Abam Development Union.
Still in response to the address presented to him by the community, Otti declared: “On the two requests that you made, the information available to me prior to this time is that there was, at the minimum, one primary healthcare centre in every ward. But today, I know better.
“As we speak, we are renovating Primary Healthcare Centres in the State. As I leave now, I’m going to call the Honourable Commissioner for Health to start making arrangement to set up a healthcare centre in this community.
“The second request that you (Abam President-General) made, on the Abam ring road, we have gone ahead of you. We have already scooped the ring road. One part of it is 7 kilometres, the other part is 16 kilometres, giving a total of 23 kilometres . I have in the last three weeks instructed the Commissioner for Works to procure the road and award them to two contractors. So, in the next few weeks, you will see work start on the Abam ring road from the two ends.
In his address, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti disclosed that the legendary Omenuko bridge being reconstructed would be completed within one year. He said that on completion, the bridge would guarantee high level of safety for users and strengthen social connectivity
He explained that the Omenuko bridge is on a federal road and links Abia North and Abia Central zones ,saying that has been a major campaign gimmick to politicians.
In their remarks , personalities from the area regretted that the colonial bridge has remained in bad shape for many decades, while successive politicians from the localities mocked the people with fake campaign promises that they will fix the bridge or attract the attention of the federal government to come to their aid.
Earlier, the President General of Ozuabam Development Union, Captain Chibuike Usim described the bridge as a historic structure , pointing out that it was constructed over 70 years ago by the colonial masters.
He regretted that despite promises of politicians to rebuild the bridge , it has remained untouched and continuously weakened as many communities depend on the bridge for access to their villages and for their commercial activities.