The Council of Ohafia Monarchs in Abia State has commended the Nigerian Government for the timely intervention in the repair and the construction of a modern brand-new bridge over Nmuri River at Ebem Ohafia , Abia State.
The delegation led by Chief Etigwe Uwa, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit on the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, in Abuja, said that the bridge was built during the colonial ere, 80 years ago was so dilapidated and had became a death trap for many souls in their community.
He noted that their experience has shown that this present administration is responsive to the yearnings of the citizens irrespective tribe region or religion.
“I contacted the Honourable Minister on 30th January, 2021 and when I passed through that same bridge on 8th of February, 2021, work has already started.” He said.
“This has demonstrated that the government listen to the cry of the people. It is a clear testimony that we as a community cried to government and government has listened to us. We are very grateful as a community. We are here today to confirm that things can work and are working in this present dispensation,” He added.
Chief Uwa however called on the Federal Government to also expedite action to facilitate the completion of the construction of the Federal Road linking Ohafia, Bende and Umuahia which the Nmuri bridge is part of.
Also, the temporary work done by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency on that road had provided succour to the people of that area who according to the declaration had long experienced hardship on account of the deplorable condition of the bridge.
Responding, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said that the completion of the abandoned Nmiru Bridge in Abia State, South Eastern Nigeria will bring succour to the road users in that area.
The reconstructed Nmuri bridge links Ohafia and Umuahia the Abia State capital.
According to Fashola the Ohafia bridge was one of the 37 bridges and over 800 projects that the Ministry was repairing, restoring, rehabilitating and constructing across Nigeria, pointing out that some of the bridges had been abandoned for the past five to six decades.
He noted that the Nmuri Bridge was among those receiving attention already
He also stated that the Ministry through the intervention on those roads and bridges across the country had further demonstrated that the All Progressive Congress as a party has an ideology contrary to some opinions.
“The APC led government is governed by progressive ideology which is progressivism, which simply means that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to improve human condition through investment in many pillars such as agriculture, mining and in particular, infrastructure expansion, repair and development,” he said.
Ime N
