Abia Govt Promises Permanent Solution to Owerrinta Flooding

The Abia State Government has moved to calm concerns over flooding recorded in a residential compound along the Owerrinta Road reconstruction corridor, assuring residents that the problem will be permanently addressed before the project is completed.

The assurance comes after a video showing floodwater entering a compound along the road circulated on social media, prompting public concern and debate.

Responding to the incident, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the government understands the concerns of affected residents and has already directed attention to the situation.

“We empathise with the affected residents and want to assure them that the issue is receiving the necessary attention. It will be adequately addressed as part of the ongoing road reconstruction project,” he said.

Kanu explained that preliminary assessments indicate the flooding is not entirely new to the area. According to him, the affected property is located on naturally low-lying terrain that has experienced flooding for years whenever there is heavy rainfall.

He noted that while the ongoing construction may have temporarily worsened the situation, the underlying drainage challenge predates the current administration and the road project.

“The location has historically been vulnerable to flooding because of its topography. Residents and people familiar with the area can attest to this. However, the ongoing construction has temporarily amplified the situation,” he stated.

The commissioner also dismissed attempts to politicise the incident, saying the government’s priority remains the safety and welfare of residents rather than political arguments.

“Our focus is on delivering quality infrastructure and ensuring the welfare of our people, not on political distractions,” Kanu said.

He explained that because the road is still under construction, engineers from the Ministry of Works and the project contractor have the opportunity to review drainage patterns and make any necessary engineering adjustments before the project is completed.

Kanu further attributed the recent flooding to the unusually heavy rainfall recorded over the past two days, describing the weather as an important test of the drainage system under construction.

“Such extreme rainfall provides engineers with valuable information that helps them identify and correct any drainage deficiencies before the final completion of the project,” he said.

Drawing a comparison with previous infrastructure projects, the commissioner recalled that similar drainage concerns arose during the reconstruction of the Onuimo–Umuahia Road but were successfully resolved through engineering interventions.

He expressed confidence that the same approach would be applied to the Owerrinta Road project.

Kanu appealed to residents of the affected community to remain calm, assuring them that the government would continue working closely with the Ministry of Works and the contractor to deliver a lasting solution.

He reiterated that Governor Alex Otti’s administration remains committed to building durable, people-centred infrastructure that improves road safety, supports economic activities and protects the lives and property of Abians.

“Our goal is to improve the quality of life of our people through sustainable infrastructure that solves problems rather than creates new ones,” he concluded.