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Abia Govt Assures Flood Relief on Owerrinta Road

Published

3 months ago

July 19, 2026

Government says temporary flooding along the Owerrinta Road reconstruction corridor will be resolved before the project is completed

The Abia State Government has assured residents affected by flooding along the Owerrinta Road reconstruction corridor that the problem is temporary and will be fully addressed before the ongoing road project is completed.

Also read: APC Accuses Abia Govt of Intimidation in Explosive Row

The assurance followed the circulation of a viral video showing floodwater entering a residential compound located along the road, prompting public concern over the impact of the reconstruction work.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the government sympathised with the affected residents and had already directed attention to the issue.

“While empathising with the affected residents, the Government wishes to assure the public that the situation is receiving attention and will be adequately addressed as part of the ongoing road construction project,” the statement said.

Addressing concerns over the Owerrinta Road flooding, the government explained that the affected location has experienced flooding for years because of its natural terrain and that the ongoing construction had only temporarily intensified the situation.

“Preliminary observations indicate that the affected location has a long-standing topographical challenge arising from its naturally undulating terrain.

“Residents and those familiar with the area can attest to the fact that the location has experienced flooding over the years, although the ongoing reconstruction works have temporarily amplified the situation,” the statement added.

The government also dismissed attempts to politicise the incident, maintaining that its focus remained on protecting residents and delivering quality infrastructure.

“The Government remains focused on facts, the welfare of residents, and the successful delivery of quality infrastructure rather than political distractions,” it stated.

Officials noted that the Owerrinta Road project remains under construction, explaining that the current phase gives engineers the opportunity to review the drainage design and make any necessary modifications before the road is completed.

“It is important to note that the road project is still under construction.

Consequently, the present stage of work provides the Ministry of Works and the project contractor with the opportunity to further assess the drainage pattern and implement any necessary engineering adjustments to ensure that the completed project effectively addresses the concerns raised,” the statement said.

According to the government, the reconstruction and dualisation of the road are intended to improve road safety, ease transportation and stimulate economic activities across the area rather than create hardship for residents.

“The objective of the reconstruction and dualisation of the road is to improve the quality of life of the people of Abia State, enhance road safety, and facilitate economic activities, not to create hardship for residents,” it added.

The statement recalled that similar engineering challenges encountered during the reconstruction of the Onuimo-Umuahia Road corridor were successfully resolved and expressed confidence that the same professional approach would be applied to the Owerrinta project.

The government also attributed the latest flooding to the intense rainfall recorded over the past two days, noting that such weather conditions provide engineers with valuable opportunities to identify weaknesses in drainage systems before construction is finalised.

“The Government also notes that the past two days have witnessed unusually heavy rainfall, a natural phenomenon that has contributed significantly to the flooding observed,” the statement said.

It added that the experience would enable the Ministry of Works and the contractor to refine the drainage infrastructure to ensure the completed road performs effectively during future rainy seasons.

The government urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm, assuring them that officials were working closely with the contractor to deliver a lasting solution.

“Residents of the affected area are therefore encouraged to remain calm and be assured that the Abia State Government will work closely with the Ministry of Works and the contractor to ensure that the issue is comprehensively resolved,” the statement said.

Also read: APC Launches Ekiti Campaign Council in Strategic Push

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, the government said Governor Alex Chioma Otti remained focused on delivering durable, people-centred projects that safeguard lives, property and the long-term interests of Abia residents.

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Maresca Says Man City Unity Grows Amid Financial Case

Published

4 days ago

October 16, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Maresca says Man City unity grows amid the club’s financial case as the manager focuses on results ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Ipswich.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has said the club’s players, supporters and leadership have become more united amid the Premier League financial case, speaking at a pre-match press conference in Manchester on Friday, 16 October 2026, ahead of Saturday’s league meeting with Ipswich Town.

Also read: NPFL Suspends Fan Over Alleged Threats to Away Teams

Maresca said he was not personally troubled by the controversy, arguing that the team had little control over the proceedings and should concentrate on performances on the pitch.

“Since the noise, from my personal point of view, I can see the fans, the club, the team more together, for sure,” Maresca said.

His comments come as City continue their Premier League campaign under the scrutiny of a significant disciplinary case.

An independent commission found the club guilty of multiple breaches of the league’s financial regulations, following allegations concerning its financial reporting and commercial arrangements between 2009 and 2018.

Manchester City have rejected the findings and appealed the decision, maintaining that they have evidence to challenge the ruling. The appeal means the dispute remains unresolved, with the eventual outcome potentially carrying significant consequences for the club.

For now, Maresca has sought to keep the focus on football, presenting the team’s response to the controversy as a matter of discipline and collective responsibility rather than public argument.

“There is noise around the club but we need to try to make our noise,” he said. “That means win at Anfield, try to win tomorrow against Ipswich. This is the way we can make our noise. A different kind of noise; we’re not able to control that.”

City’s recent results have offered both encouragement and a reminder of the demands of competing across several fronts.

The club recorded a 3-0 Premier League victory over Liverpool at Anfield before suffering a 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Maresca described the European loss as a learning opportunity, saying City had struggled to maintain their balance after conceding twice in quick succession.

He nevertheless pointed to the response after half-time as evidence that the players could recover from difficult spells.

The defeat has added importance to Saturday’s meeting with Ipswich, as City look to maintain their domestic momentum while managing the demands of a busy schedule.

Asked how he was coping with the attention surrounding the financial proceedings, Maresca was direct.

“I’m very happy. I don’t feel any kind of stress about the outside situation because it’s something I don’t control. I just focus on how we can try to win the next games,” he said.

The manager also indicated that he trusted the club’s leadership and had discussed the case with officials. However, he preferred to wait for the legal process to reach an outcome before drawing conclusions about the matter.

The independent commission’s findings have intensified scrutiny of City’s financial conduct, with the case involving alleged breaches over a nine-season period.

The commission found the club guilty of 114 of the 115 charges relating to financial misconduct and associated failures to comply with the Premier League’s investigation, according to reports on the ruling.

City have appealed and continue to contest the findings. The distinction between the commission’s conclusions and the club’s position remains central to the ongoing dispute.

The case has also renewed debate about financial regulation in English football, including the effectiveness of oversight and the consequences clubs may face when they breach competition rules.

Any eventual sanctions will depend on the relevant proceedings and their outcome.

Against that background, Maresca’s emphasis on unity reflects the club’s immediate priority of sustaining results while the case progresses.

His comments do not resolve the questions raised by the commission, but they indicate how he intends to manage the situation within the dressing room.

Saturday’s fixture presents a further test. Ipswich have had a full week to prepare, while City return to domestic action after their midweek European commitment.

Maresca acknowledged that the difference in preparation time could make the contest demanding.

A victory would give City the opportunity to extend their Premier League winning run to seven matches, reinforcing their position near the top of the table.

The manager’s challenge is to ensure that the off-field controversy does not distract from the consistency required over a long season.

For supporters, the coming weeks will bring two parallel developments: City’s pursuit of domestic and European success, and the progress of the financial appeal.

The club’s results may shape the mood around the team, but the disciplinary proceedings will ultimately be determined by the relevant legal and regulatory process.

Maresca’s message was that City should concentrate on the part of the situation they can influence.

Also read: NPFL Suspends Fan Over Alleged Threats to Away Teams

With Ipswich next on the schedule, the immediate measure of that approach will be the team’s performance on the pitch, while the broader questions surrounding the club’s financial conduct remain outstanding.