The Council of Ohafia Monarchs and Leaders of Thought have commended the Federal Government for expeditiously responding to their “save our souls” appeal over the state of Nmuri Bridge in Abia State, noting that their experience has shown that the President Buhari led administration is responsive to the yearnings of citizens irrespective of tribe, region and religion.
The delegation led by Chief Etigwe Uwa, SAN gave the commendation during a courtesy visit on the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN in Abuja.
Chief Etigwe Uwa thanked the Minister on behalf of the good people of Ohafia in Abia state for the quick response of the Minister in fixing the dilapidated old bridge.
He said: “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.”
“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.”
Continuing, he said that the Ministry's prompt response to the deplorable condition of the bridge had demonstrated that the President Buhari led administration was responsive to the cry of Nigerians irrespective of tribe, region and religion. “We are here today to confirm that things can work and are working in this present dispensation,” he said.
He 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 while reading a letter of appreciation, His Royal Highness, Elder Emmanuel Onugu on behalf of the people of Ohafia in Abia state thanked the Honourable Minister for the timely intervention in the repair and the construction of a modern brand-new bridge over Nmuri River at Ebem Ohafia.
Continuing, he said that the temporary work done by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had provided succour to the people of that area who had long experienced hardship on account of the deplorable condition of the bridge which had almost become a death trap.
In his response, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN 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 (APC) 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.
Other members of the delegation from Ohafia included His Royal Highness, Kalu Ikenga, Chief Awa Kalu, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, Mr. Kalu Okpo Kalu, Mr. Sunny Mbila, Architect Lucas Eme, Mr. Sunday Idika, Ogbonna Kalu, Dr. Eni Kalu and Mr. Charles Nkata.
The Permanent Secretary, Babaginda Hussein and some Directors of the Ministry joined the Honourable Minister to receive the delegation.
Boade Akinola
Director (Press and Public Relations)
June 24, 2021
L - R : Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN displaying the gift presented to him at the event by the Council of Ohafia Monarchs with the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Babangida Hussaini.
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