Abia State governor Alex Otti has begun building a new bridge across the Igwu River to replace the 70-year-old colonial one generally referred to as the Omenuko Bridge.
Otti flagged-off the project, yesterday, at Ozu Abam community in Arochukwu local government area of the state along Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia federal road.
He said though the project site is on the road, his administration is committed to working for the people not minding whether such project is federal or the state’s responsibility.
“This project, like has been said time and time again is supposed to be a federal project. Yes, a lot of people reached out to me just like the House of Representatives member recalled,” he further said.
“What we are doing as a government is that anywhere that we see that work needs to be done, we don’t wait for people to ask us, we begin to do the work.”
The governor explained that the administration could not embark on the project in 2024 because it thought that the contract had been awarded by the federal government.
“Before we start any project, we already have plans to fund it. I am glad to report to you today that the money that is required to complete this project is sitting somewhere waiting,” he said.
Otti directed the commissioner for Works to adjust the delivery period of the project from one year to nine months as the contractor handling it had assured him it can be completed under the time.
He announced the approval of reconstruction of the Abam ring road and the establishment of a primary healthcare centre in the community as earlier requested by its president general, Captain Chibuike Usim.
The member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency at the National Assembly, Ibe Osonwa saluted the governor for “his resolve to break the age-long jinx associated with the bridge”.
Addressing the gathering earlier, the works commissioner, Engr Otumchere Oti assured that on completion, the bridge would guarantee high level of safety for users and strengthen social connectivity.
In an address of welcome, the president general, appreciated Otti for embarking on the project, describing it as a testament to the administration’s commitment to developing rural areas.
