Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has paid special tribute to 17 students who died while commuting on the Omenuko Bridge in Abam, Arochukwu LGA of the state.
The students were on their way to an examination centre.
Governor Otti also commiserated with two families from Ohafia town whose children perished in an accident at the same bridge.
Otti, who was addressing the members of the Abam Onyerubi on Friday after inaugurating the reconstructed bridge, said the former structure was built during the colonial administration about 70 years ago.
He regretted that some administrations that ruled Abia State before him abandoned the former Bridge to deteriorate and claimed the lives of travellers.
Otti expressed sadness that leaders and politicians whose responsibility was to fix the old bridge used it to make deceitful and unkept political campaigns.
“We also remember in a special way, our brothers and sisters, family members, friends and acquaintances who lost their lives owing to the structural weaknesses of the 70-year-old Omenuko Bridge.
“We also remember and pray for the repose of the souls of the 17 students who perished on the same River in 2007, on their way to an examination centre”, Otti said.
He described insensitive leadership as a big burden to a community, noting that farming and other businesses were grossly hampered by the previous condition of poor infrastructure along the Abam-Ohafia-Arochukwu axis.
