REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Governor Alex Otti of Abia state alongside retired General Azubuike Ihejirika have commissioned the long abandoned 30 Kilometres Amuvi–Ndi Okereke, Abam Road and the newly constructed Omenuko Bridge, all in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia state.
Speaking during a civic reception organized by the people Abam in his honor, Governor Otti said the bridge, which has stood since the colonial era, was a death trap and a source of untold hardship for residents due to its narrow carriageway and deteriorated condition.
The Governor described the bridge and road as landmark interventions with extensive social and economic importance adding that the projects symbolised his administration’s resolve to reverse decades of infrastructural neglect.
He lamented the economic losses suffered by farmers who were unable to transport their produce to urban markets due to poor road access, describing insensitive leadership as “the biggest burden any community can bear”
The Governor paid tribute to victims who lost their lives due to the structural weakness of the 70-year-old Omenuko Bridge, including the late cleric, Reverend Uma Ukpai, whose two children died in the river more than four decades ago, as well as the 17 students who drowned in 2007 on their way to an examination centre amongst others.
In separate goodwill messages, the Leader of Abam Onyerubi, Chief James Ume, the immediate past SSG and President Abia Leadership Academy Professor Kenneth Kalu all commended Governor Alex Otti for the infrastructural intervention in Abam Community and noted that the Governor has through the projects restored the pride of the Abam people.
They noted that the ongoing construction of Idima Abam -Arochukwu road, the ongoing construction of a General Hospital among others as some of the strategic projects ongoing in the area .
Correspondent Peace Agbo reports that the Governor used the occasion to announce the appointment of former Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, as President of the Abia Leadership Institute, and confirmed the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, as the substantive Abia SSG.
