Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Monday approved the reconstruction of the long-abandoned Omenuko Bridge at Ozuabam in the Arochukwu Local Government Area of the state.
The bridge serves as a link between Abia North and Abia Central Senatorial Zones.
For decades, the dilapidated structure has posed a severe safety risk to commuters, with its narrow design allowing only one vehicle to pass at a time.
During rainy seasons, the situation worsens as floodwaters often submerge the bridge, situated dangerously at the base of a hill and a sharp bend.
Tragically, the bridge has claimed multiple lives, including students travelling for JAMB examinations.
The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing the press at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Otti, stating, “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.
“His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, has ordered that the bridge be reconstructed to serve the people from that area.”
He stated that the flag off of the project would be announced soon, adding that repairing the bridge would be of great benefit to the people.
The commissioner also disclosed that in a bid to have independent electric power, the state government has sent the Abia State Electricity Bill to the state House of Assembly for consideration.
He said the Assembly would on December 18, 2024, conduct a public hearing on the executive bill and highlighted the importance of the electricity bill, stressing the need for all stakeholders to participate in the public hearing.
“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.
Speaking on the merits of the Electricity Bill, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, noted that the law would act as a catalyst to achieve the goal of the governor, which is to provide access to electricity to all Abians.
The PUNCH
