Abia Government Reassures Residents Over Owerrinta Road Flooding, Promises Permanent Solution
The Abia State Government has reassured residents affected by flooding along the ongoing Owerrinta Road reconstruction project that the issue is receiving urgent attention and will be permanently addressed before the project is completed.
The assurance follows the circulation of a viral social media video showing floodwater entering a residential compound located along the reconstruction corridor. While expressing sympathy for the affected residents, the government stressed that the flooding is not being ignored and forms part of the engineering assessments currently underway.
According to the government, preliminary findings indicate that the affected property is situated in a naturally low-lying area with long-standing topographical challenges. The compound lies on a downward slope from the main road, making it historically vulnerable to flooding whenever there is heavy rainfall.
Officials explained that residents familiar with the area have experienced similar flooding over the years, although the ongoing road construction has temporarily intensified the situation due to the current stage of the project.
The government also acknowledged that the incident has generated public debate, with some political interpretations emerging on social media. However, it emphasized that its priority remains the safety and welfare of residents, as well as the successful delivery of quality infrastructure that meets engineering standards.
It noted that the Owerrinta Road project is still under construction, giving engineers from the Ministry of Works and the project contractor the opportunity to study the area’s drainage system and implement any necessary design adjustments before completion.
The government explained that the reconstruction and dualisation of the road are intended to improve transportation, enhance road safety, boost economic activities, and improve the quality of life for residents not create environmental or residential challenges.
It further highlighted that similar drainage concerns encountered during the reconstruction of the Onuimo–Umuahia Road corridor were professionally resolved. Authorities expressed confidence that the same engineering expertise and responsive approach would be applied to address the current situation along Owerrinta Road.
The government also attributed part of the flooding to the unusually heavy rainfall experienced over the past two days, describing it as an extreme weather event that exposed areas requiring additional drainage improvements. Officials noted that such conditions provide engineers with valuable information needed to strengthen the project’s drainage infrastructure before completion.
Residents living within the affected area have been urged to remain calm, with assurances that the Ministry of Works and the contractor will continue working together to provide a lasting solution.
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