55 years after destruction, Umunwanwa bridge reconstruction remains stalled

Over five decades after the Umunwanwa Bridge connecting communities in Umuahia South Council of Abia State and their Mbaise neighbours in Imo State was damaged during the Nigerian Civil War on Christmas Day in 1969, its reconstruction remains incomplete. The adjoining road, which houses the bridge, is also in disrepair, despite the existence of a federal contract for the project.

Affected communities voiced their frustrations during an inspection visit by former House of Representatives member for Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South Constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo, and former Vice President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amanze Uchegbulam.

Eze Stephen Ihuoma, the traditional ruler of Ngodo Umunwanwa, lamented the situation and appealed to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to compel contractors to return to the site and complete the project. He expressed concern over the gully erosion that has split the road in two, endangering lives and property.

“The Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu has taken a bold step by awarding this contract, but it is regrettable that the contractor has not returned to the site.

We appeal to the Minister of Works to ensure its completion and save us from impending disaster,” Ihuoma said. Onuigbo, now representing the South East on the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), urged the contractor to deliver quality work in line with President Tinubu’s vision for the South East. He also thanked the president for addressing infrastructural challenges in the region.

Uchegbulam, who facilitated the contract award during Babatunde Fashola’s tenure as Minister of Works, expressed disappointment at the lack of progress, noting that while some sections in Imo State have been repaired, work at the Umunwanwa site remains abandoned.