JUBILATION AS GOV OTTI KICKS OFF RECONSTRUCTION OF IGWU (OMENUKO)

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration of constructing roads and providing basic amenities, irrespective of state or federal projects in the state.

Governor Otti made this known at the official commencement of the long-awaited reconstruction of the historic Igwu River Bridge, popularly known as Omenuko Bridge in Arochukwu Local Government Area of the state.

The Governor announced that the project would be completed in nine months, and assured the people that every project embarked upon by his administration would be adequately funded before commencement.

Governor Otti, who affirmed his commitment to development, emphasized that his government prioritized the welfare of its people, irrespective of the status or bureaucratic bottlenecks before taking action.

Responding to the two major requests made by the President-General of Abam Town Union, Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Health to make immediate arrangements to establish a Healthcare Center in the community.

He equally instructed the Commissioner for Works to procure and award the 23 Kilometer Abam Ring Road project to two Contractors.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Otumchere Oti, while noting that the bridge has for many years remained campaign tool for politicians, said that the single lane Omenuko Bridge functioned as a major link for Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial zones.

In a separate interview, the people of the area commended Governor Alex Otti for taking up the project despite being a Federal road.

They pointed out that the project would increase traffic flow, promote economic activities and social connectivity.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the bridge, which has stood since colonial times, has been a death trap and source of hardship for residents due to its narrow and deteriorating condition.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU