SIGH OF RELIEF AS FERMA COMPLETES BRIDGE LINKING COMMUNITIES IN IMO AND ANAMBRA STATES

Reporter : CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Imo State Government says it will continue to collaborate with the Federal Government in executing projects that will positively impact the lives of citizens, especially those in the rural areas.

The state Governor, Chief Hope Uzodimma, gave the assurance during the inauguration of Urasi River Bridge located at Amaruru Village in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The wooden bridge, which linked Imo and Anambra States, was constructed through self help but had to give way in 2018 due to pressure from articulated vehicles.

Urasi River Bridge is strategically located at the boundary between Amaruru Village in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State and Ezinihitte in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

With the collapse of the bridge two years ago, interstate movement, which was five minutes drive, then took about two hours from that axis as the people had to navigate round other communities to bypass the bridge.   

Worried by the development, the Federal Government through the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) undertook the construction of the bridge, which stretched over forty meters in length and eleven meters wide, making way for pedestrian walk on both sides.

Inaugurating the bridge, the Imo State Governor, Chief Hope Uzodimma, represented by the state Deputy Governor, Professor Placid Njoku, thanked the Federal Government for the gesture, noting that the bridge would facilitate economic and social interactions between people of both states.

The Managing Director of FERMA, Mr. Nuruddeen Rafindadi, represented by Executive Director FERMA East Operations, Mr. Silas Buba, said the agency would continue to execute critical projects that would ameliorate the plight of the people.

The FERMA Engineer for Imo State, Mr. Emeka Mmaduagwu, explained that the Agency was deeply touched by the suffering encountered by the affected communities, pointing out that the project which lasted one year was carefully executed.

Some residents of the area commended the Federal Government for the intervention and promised to protect the bridge.

The event was attended by prominent sons and daughters of both communities, including traditional rulers from Imo and Anambra States.