Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved the reconstruction of the long-neglected Omenuko Bridge at Ozuabam in the Arochukwu Local Government Area.
The bridge, a critical link between the Abia North and Abia Central Senatorial Zones, has been a safety hazard for decades, endangering the lives of commuters and residents.
The bridge’s narrow design has restricted traffic flow to one vehicle at a time. During the rainy season, floodwaters frequently submerge the bridge, which is precariously located at the base of a hill and a sharp bend. Tragically, the structure has claimed several lives over the years, including those of students travelling for JAMB examinations.
Announcing the approval on Monday at the Government House in Umuahia, the state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed details of the project during a press briefing on the outcomes of the week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Otti.
“For decades, a lot of politicians have taken undue advantage of the rickety nature of that bridge to make promises to people around that area. Till date, they have never fulfilled [them].
“His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, has ordered that the bridge be reconstructed to serve the people from that area,” Kanu stated.
He added that the flag-off date for the project would be announced soon and assured that the reconstruction would significantly benefit the communities relying on the bridge.
In another development, the state government has forwarded the Abia State Electricity Bill to the State House of Assembly for consideration, a move aimed at achieving independent electricity supply for the state.
Commissioner Kanu revealed that the House of Assembly would hold a public hearing on the executive bill on December 18, 2024. He urged all stakeholders to participate actively in the process, highlighting the importance of their input in creating a robust law to address the state’s electricity challenges.
“All the critical stakeholders are expected to be there and make inputs on how to make the process of enacting that bill, and come up with a robust idea that will address issues of electricity in our state,” Kanu stated.
The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, explained that the bill would serve as a catalyst for achieving Governor Otti’s vision of providing access to electricity for all Abians.
