Otti Flags Off Reconstruction Of British Era Omenuko Bridge


By Okwudiri Okafor, Umuahia

After over 70 years of existence, a new lease of life beckons for the rickety, colonial era Igwu River bridge in Abia State, South-East Nigeria.

The iconic bridge was constructed by Nigeria’s British colonial masters long before October 1,1960, the historic date the West African country extricated herself from foreign rule and gained political independence.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, officially flagged off reconstruction of the long-abandoned bridge, popularly called Omenuko bridge.

The government’s move seeks to break the jinx of not having a firm bridge at the location, after decades of managing the fragile current bridge.

Flagging off the project at Ozuabam in Arochukwu Local Government Area (LGA), Gov. Otti said that though the bridge is located on a federal road, his administration is committed to working for the people, irrespective of whether such project belongs to federal or state government.

“This project, like has been said here 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.

“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. You can be sure that your government which is a very responsible government will attend to them,” Otti stated.

The governor explained that his administration missed out the project in 2024 budget in the thought that work on the bridge had been awarded by the Federal Government.

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“The first thing that happened was that we missed out this bridge from the 2024 budget and the reason is simple: we thought that the bridge had actually been awarded as claimed by some of our brothers; but unfortunately, on further enquiry, we found out that the information was not correct.

“So, we now started struggling with the adjustment of the budget and virement and we have just been successful with it.

“One thing that is clear is that, before we start any project, we already have plans to fund that project. I am glad to report to you today that the money that is required to complete this road project is sitting somewhere waiting,” Gov. Otti disclosed.

He directed the State Commissioner for Works to adjust the delivery period of the project from one year to nine months, revealing this is based on conversations he had with the contractor handling the project, who assured that he can deliver within the nine months.

Otti also announced the approval of reconstruction of the Abam Ring Road and the establishment of primary healthcare centre in Abam community as requested by President General (PG) of Abam Development Union,at the event where the Omenuko bridge project was inaugurated.

“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.

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“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 PG) made -on the Abam Ring Road -well, I’m happy to report that 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; that’s a total of 23 kilometres and I have in the last three weeks instructed the Honourable Commissioner 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.”

Speaking also, the lawmaker representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa; his colleague representing Arochukwu state constituency and Majority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Okoro; and the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba , Dr. Okoro Kalu Christopher, variously expressed joy at the bold step taken by Gov. Otti to reconstruct Omenuko bridge.

They described him as a performing governor.

They recalled that the colonial bridge had remained in bad shape for many decades, alleging that successive politicians had always deceived the people with fake campaign promises to rework the bridge, to no avail.

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They saluted Gov. Otti for his resolve to break the jinx associated with the bridge.

In his address, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, disclosed that the legendary Omenuko bridge being reconstructed is a 45-metre length and eight-metre width facility and would be completed within one year.

He said, at completion, it would guarantee high level of safety for users and strengthen social connectivity.

According to the Commissioner, the bridge, which is on a federal road, links Abia North and Abia Central Senatorial Zones.

He lauded Gov. Otti for  embarking on the project that had been a major campaign gimmick by politicians to fool the people.

Also, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Kenneth Kalu, who also spoke, extolled Gov. Otti’s doggedness in flagging off the total reconstruction of Omenuko bridge.

Earlier, the PG, Ozuabam Development Union, Captain Chibuike Usim (rtd), had stated that the bridge is a historic one constructed over 70 years ago, lamenting that despite series of promises by politicians over the decades past, it remained untouched but got progressively weakened structurally.

He revealed that many communities depend on the bridge for access to their villages and appreciated Gov. Otti for his decision to fix it, describing the move as a testament to the  administration’s commitment to developing rural areas.


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