By Ugochukwu Alaribe
UMUAHIA — Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has directed the immediate commencement of palliative works on the flooded section of the Opobo–Azumini Federal Highway at Ovom in Obingwa Local Government Area.
The highway, which links Aba to Azumini in Abia State and extends to Ika, Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, has become difficult for motorists to use due to persistent flooding around the Ovom Mechanic Village.
The affected section of the road has continued to deteriorate despite previous palliative interventions because of perennial flooding.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced the intervention while briefing journalists, explaining that the affected stretch had become increasingly impassable during the rainy season, prompting the governor to order immediate remedial work pending a permanent solution.
He said the palliative works are intended to ease the hardship experienced by motorists and residents.
“Relief has come for users of the Opobo–Azumini Federal Highway. The section of the road at Ovom Mechanic Village has become difficult to use due to flooding during the rainy season.
“I want to announce that Governor Alex Otti has directed the Commissioner for Works and his team of engineers to carry out immediate palliative works on the section of the road affected by seasonal flooding,” Kanu said.
He noted that although the highway is a federal road, the Abia State Government has consistently intervened over the past two years to keep it motorable because of its strategic importance to residents and businesses.
According to him, the Otti administration has adopted a pragmatic approach to infrastructure development by undertaking repairs on roads irrespective of ownership whenever they directly affect the welfare and economic activities of Abia residents.
“In the past two years, the state government has carried out temporary maintenance on the road. However, for the record, it is a federal road.
“Governor Alex Otti does not discriminate between federal and state roads, provided they are used by Abians,” he added.
Kanu explained that the current intervention is a temporary measure to ensure the road remains passable during the rainy season, noting that a permanent solution would require the approval and involvement of the Federal Government.
“For a permanent solution, the necessary discussions and approvals must be obtained from the Federal Government. What is being undertaken now is temporary rainy season maintenance to ensure that motorists and residents can continue to use the road safely,” he said.
