The Bayelsa State government has committed to completing ongoing major road projects to connect more communities in the hinterlands to the state capital city, Yenagoa.
The Director-General of New Media to Governor Douye Diri, Kola Oredipe, stated this when he led journalists on an assessment tour of some road projects under construction by the state government on Monday.
Among the projects inspected were the 42km Sagbama-Ekeremor Road in Bayelsa East valued at N34.4bn; 22.2km Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road in Bayelsa Central, valued at N31.4bn; the 10.2km dual carriageway Glory Drive Road valued at N24.774bn; and the 21km Igbogene-AIT/Elebele outer ring road, which will cost N54.56bn.
It was gathered that clearing work had been completed on the first phase of the Nembe-Brass road, with sand-filling to commence soon on the project at the cost of N54bn.
There were indications that construction work was in progress on the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road to Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and the Sagbama-Ekeremor road to link up communities in the Sagbama and Ekeremor LGA.
At Angiama, the 620m long bridge was being constructed across the River Nun to Oporoma, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw LGA, which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo inaugurated in February 2022.
Addressing journalists, Oredipe said the government had prioritised the opening up of far-flung communities in the creeks to the state capital to create the enabling environment for commercial activities to thrive.
He said the Oporoma bridge was expected to be completed in two years as its pillars were being erected, stressing that Governor Diri had directed the award of contracts for road projects to neighboring communities such as Eniwari, Ondewari, and Otuan, among others.
Oredipe said, “While other states have their priorities, for us in Bayelsa, our aim is to open up several communities that are locked up in the rivers and creeks. That is the story we are telling Nigerians that, this government is giving hope to Bayelsans.
“We mean business when we say it is massive infrastructure everywhere. And you can see that we are also trying to expand the state capital, Yenagoa city, through the Glory Drive and Outer Ring Roads.
“By the time those two roads are completed, you can be sure that we will have new development areas in Yenagoa. So, the Prosperity Administration of Governor Douye Diri is committed to completing all the ongoing projects in the state.”
In separate interviews, some residents in Ekeremor town, including a 56-year-old teacher, Madam Bolo-ere Lovely; Mr. Okpe Charles; and Mr. Mie Selewari said they were happy that the state government had ensured the Sagbama-Ekeremor road project became a reality.
