Abia Government Working to Solve Flooding Along Owerrinta Road

The Abia State Government has assured residents that it is working to solve the flooding problem reported in a residential compound along the ongoing Owerrinta Road reconstruction project. The assurance came after a video showing floodwater entering a compound was shared on social media.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the government expressed concern for the affected residents and said the problem is being looked into as part of the road project.

The government explained that the area has been experiencing flooding for many years because the compound is located on low ground below the road. It said the ongoing road work has temporarily made the flooding worse, but engineers are already checking the drainage system to provide a lasting solution before the project is completed.

The government also asked people not to turn the issue into politics, saying its main concern is the safety and well-being of residents and the successful completion of the road project.

It added that the road is still under construction, giving the Ministry of Works and the contractor enough time to study how water flows in the area and make the necessary changes to the drainage system.

According to the statement, the purpose of rebuilding and expanding the Owerrinta Road is to make travelling safer, improve business activities, and make life better for the people of Abia State, not to create problems for residents. It also noted that a similar drainage problem was successfully solved during the reconstruction of the Onuimo–Umuahia Road.

The government said the heavy rainfall recorded over the past two days also contributed to the flooding. It explained that the heavy rain has helped engineers identify areas where the drainage system needs improvement before the project is completed.

The government appealed to residents to remain calm and assured them that it would continue working with the Ministry of Works and the contractor to solve the problem permanently. It also reaffirmed Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure that protects the lives and property of Abia residents.

Related