The Abia State government is dealing with public disapproval following severe flooding in the Owerinta community, located in the Isiala Ngwa South local government area. The inundation occurred in the immediate vicinity of an active road reconstruction project currently managed by state authorities.
Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, addressed the matter on Sunday morning. He dismissed claims circulating on social media that the flooding was caused by poor workmanship from the state’s contractor. Instead, Kanu attributed the incident to the region’s inherent geographical vulnerabilities, noting that the terrain is naturally prone to water retention due to its slope.
Kanu admitted that the ongoing construction work has exacerbated the drainage issues for the time being. However, he emphasized that this site has faced similar water accumulation problems for many years during heavy rainfall. He urged the public not to politicize the event, reiterating that the dualization of the Owerinta road is intended to enhance safety and living conditions for local residents.