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

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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.

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

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.”

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“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.

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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.