The reconstruction of the historic Omenuko Bridge at Abam has been described as a profound act of leadership that has finally laid to rest decades of tragedy and political deceit in Abia North.
Prominent Abia leader and former deputy governorship candidate, Dr. Chima Anyaso, affirmed this on Friday on the sidelines of the official commissioning of the bridge by Governor Alex Otti.
Anyaso, who was visibly moved, noted that the project represents far more than just infrastructure, but a “debt repaid” to families who have suffered on the treacherous crossing for over half a century.
As a result therefore, Anyaso paid tribute to the late global evangelist, Reverend Dr. Uma Ukpai, who passed away in October 2025, linking the completion of the bridge to the personal heartbreak of the Ukpai family, “a story that has haunted the region for generations”.
“Today, after governments have come and gone, the government of Dr. Alex Otti has decided to fix this bridge. It is very significant, and I am sure the people of Abia North as a whole, are very grateful. I wish Reverend Uma Ukpai was alive to witness this great event”, he said, lamenting, “as a child, I heard that his family members died in an accident on this bridge while returning from Umuahia”.
Reverend Ukpai had famously shared the story of losing his children in a single, tragic accident involving the old, narrow structure, a tale that Anyaso suggested “served as a grim reminder of the bridge jinxed reputation”.
It would be recalled that the Omenuko Bridge, originally built in 1955, had long been a symbol of administrative neglect, as for over 20 years, successive governments in the state used the bridge as a campaign tool, often making false claims about its award to federal contractors.
Close to tiers of joy, Anyaso said, “while I remember Uma Ukpai with tiers in my eyes, I also thank Gov. Alex Otti with tiers of joy. He broke the jinx and our people who use this oad can now heave sigh of relief of the constant gear of crossing the former dangerous bridge that swallowed even JAMBites once upon a time”.
