Abia Government Reassures Residents Over Flooding Along Owerrinta Road, Promises Permanent Solution

The Abia State Government has assured residents affected by flooding along the ongoing Owerrinta Road reconstruction corridor that the situation is receiving urgent attention and will be permanently addressed before the completion of the project.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the government acknowledged a viral social media video showing flooding within a residential compound located along the reconstruction corridor.

According to the statement, preliminary assessments indicate that the affected property has long been vulnerable to flooding due to its natural topography. The compound, situated on a downward slope from the main road, has historically experienced water accumulation during periods of heavy rainfall, a situation that residents and others familiar with the area can attest to.

The government, however, noted that the ongoing construction works may have temporarily intensified the flooding but emphasized that the project remains under construction, allowing engineers sufficient time to evaluate drainage patterns and implement necessary engineering modifications before completion.

It also addressed the political narratives surrounding the incident, stressing that its primary concern remains the welfare of residents and the successful delivery of quality infrastructure rather than political debates.

The statement reaffirmed that the reconstruction and dualisation of Owerrinta Road are intended to improve road safety, enhance economic activities, and improve the quality of life for residents not to create hardship.

The government further pointed to its previous handling of similar engineering challenges encountered during the reconstruction of the Onuimo–Umuahia Road corridor, noting that those issues were successfully resolved and that the same level of professionalism would be applied to the Owerrinta Road project.

It also attributed part of the flooding to the unusually heavy rainfall recorded over the past two days, explaining that such weather conditions provide engineers with valuable opportunities to identify and address potential drainage deficiencies before the project is completed.

Residents of the affected area were encouraged to remain calm, with assurances that the Ministry of Works and the project contractor would work together to comprehensively resolve the drainage concerns.

The government reiterated that the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti remains committed to delivering durable, people-centred infrastructure while safeguarding the lives and property of Abia residents.