Another Otti Road Project Shows Early Signs of Collapse, Netizens Raise Alarm | #NwokeukwuMascot

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Another road reconstructed under the Alex Otti-led administration has begun to show troubling signs of collapse, barely months after it was commissioned with heavy fanfare.

The latest failing portion is located along the Uzoakoli axis of the Umuahia–Abiriba road, near the Uzoakoli Timber Market. The road, which was officially inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was celebrated as a flagship achievement of the Abia State Government. However, residents and concerned citizens have expressed disappointment as visible cracks and erosion threaten its durability.

Raising public concern, popular social media platform Aba Gist Blog shared images of the failing section, warning: “This spot is within the Uzoakoli axis of the Umuahia–Abiriba road (Uzoakoli timber market). It should be fixed immediately before it expands.”

The revelation has raised debates online, with netizens questioning the quality of road projects executed under Governor Alex Otti. Many fear that the state may be sinking scarce resources into projects that cannot withstand the test of time, especially given the state’s fragile economy and mounting public expectations.

This incident adds to the growing list of failed road projects under Otti’s administration. Notably, Ehi Road, Emelogu Road, Omoba Road, and Umuafai Road have all experienced structural failures within a year of their completion, casting doubt on the competence of contractors and the level of oversight by the state government.

Residents argue that such early signs of collapse point to substandard construction practices, including poor drainage systems and questionable material quality. Critics have called on the government to prioritize durability over political showmanship, stressing that commissioning ceremonies mean little if the roads fail shortly afterward.

The development also raises broader questions about accountability. While the administration often highlights infrastructure as a cornerstone of its achievements, the recurring pattern of road failures risks eroding public trust. Citizens are demanding a transparent review of construction standards, contractor selection processes, and monitoring mechanisms.

For now, the people of Uzoakoli and surrounding communities are calling on the government to move swiftly with remedial works to prevent further deterioration of the road. But beyond emergency patching, Abians want assurances that future projects will be built to last.

As one resident put it: “We are tired of roads that last only a few rainy seasons. If Otti’s government truly wants to leave a legacy, it must build roads that will stand for the next generation, not ones that collapse before the paint even dries.”