Abia Government Reassures Residents Over Flooding Along Owerrinta Road

The Abia Owerrinta Road flooding concerns have received the attention of the Abia State Government, which has assured residents that the issue will be permanently addressed as part of the ongoing reconstruction of the road.

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

The government expressed sympathy for the affected residents and emphasized that the incident is being taken seriously, assuring the public that appropriate engineering measures will be implemented before the completion of the project.

According to the statement, preliminary assessments indicate that the affected property is located on a naturally sloping terrain below the road level, making the area vulnerable to water accumulation during periods of heavy rainfall.

The government explained that residents and people familiar with the area have long known the location to experience flooding, adding that the ongoing construction works have only temporarily intensified the situation.

Addressing public reactions, the state government noted that the Abia Owerrinta Road flooding incident has attracted political interpretations but stressed that its priority remains the welfare of residents and the successful delivery of quality infrastructure across the state.

It further stated that because the road project is still under construction, engineers from the Ministry of Works and the contractor have the opportunity to carefully assess the drainage system and make any necessary adjustments to prevent future flooding once the project is completed.

According to the government, the objective of reconstructing and dualising the Owerrinta Road is to improve road safety, enhance transportation, stimulate economic activities, and improve the quality of life for residents—not to create hardship for communities along the corridor.

The statement also recalled that similar engineering challenges encountered during the reconstruction of the Onuimo–Umuahia Road were successfully resolved, expressing confidence that the same level of professionalism would be applied to the Owerrinta Road project.

The government added that the unusually heavy rainfall recorded over the past two days significantly contributed to the flooding observed in the area. It noted that such extreme weather conditions provide engineers with valuable information that can help identify drainage weaknesses before the project is completed.

Residents of the affected community were therefore urged to remain calm, with assurances that the Abia State Government will continue working closely with the Ministry of Works and the project contractor to ensure the flooding issue is comprehensively resolved.

The statement reaffirmed that the administration of Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti remains committed to delivering durable, people-centred infrastructure while protecting the lives, property, and interests of Abia residents.

The statement was signed by Prince Okey Kanu, Abia State Commissioner for Information, and dated July 18, 2026.