“A Debt Repaid”: Chima Anyaso Hails Governor Otti for Breaking “70-Year Jinx” at Omenuko Bridge

Speaking to journalists on Friday on the sidelines of the official commissioning of the bridge by Governor Alex Otti, a visibly moved Anyaso noted that the project represents far more than just infrastructure—it is a “debt repaid” to families who have suffered on the treacherous crossing for over half a century.

The highlight of Anyaso’s remarks was a poignant tribute to the late global evangelist, Reverend Dr Uma Ukpai, who passed away in October 2025. Anyaso linked the bridge’s completion to the personal heartbreak of the Ukpai family, a story that has haunted the region for generations.

“Today, after governments have come and gone, the government of Dr Alex Otti has decided to fix this bridge,” Anyaso stated. “It’s very significant, and I’m sure the people of Abia North as a whole are very grateful. I wish our daddy, Reverend Uma Ukpai, were alive to witness this great event. As a child, we heard that his family members died in an accident on this bridge while returning from Umuahia.”

Reverend Ukpai had famously shared the story of losing his children in a single, tragic accident involving the old, narrow structure, a tale that Anyaso suggested served as a grim reminder of the bridge’s “jinxed” reputation.

The Omenuko Bridge, originally built in 1955, had long been a symbol of administrative neglect. For over 20 years, successive governments used the bridge as a campaign tool, often making false claims about its award to federal contractors.