Niger Delta

Osinbajo Flags Off Angiama- Oporoma Bridge Project

Published

4 years ago

February 21, 2022

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

No fewer than six decades after its conceptualisation,the far-flung communities of Southern Ijaw council area of Bayelsa state might have just started heaving a sigh of relief as Nigeria’s Vice President,Yemi Osinbajo at the weekend flagged-off the Angia-Ibe(Angiama Communitiy – Oporoma link bridge project.
The Tide correspondent reports that the Southern-Ijaw council area of the state is more than ninety percent riverine and that Oporoma Communitiy, where the flagged-off bridge was expected to link is its headquarters,just as reports have added that Southern -Ijaw might probably be the largest local government area in Nigeria.
The flag-off by the Vice President was preceded by a historic drive on the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road, which construction has reached Angiama Communitiy,just as Vice President Osinbajo commended Governor Diri for continuing projects that predated his administration, noting that the 36km Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road was significant as it will improve the economy of the people and reduce the incidences of sea piracy in the area.
The nation’s number two citizen restated that the partnership between the federal and state governments was working as was evidenced in the refunds of money earlier spent on federal roads by state governments, assuring that the federal government will continue to support Bayelsa state to enable it meet its developmental aspirations.
He said the rural communities in Southern Ijaw were hosts to oil and gas wealth,which he identified as Nigeria’s economic mainstay, saying that as a result the council area like every other area with these economic contributions, deserves developmental projects.
The Vice President mentioned that no inclusive prosperity can thrive without linking communities by road,charging the people of the area to take ownership of the project,just as he also called on the people of the state to support the Diri’s administration to enable it deliver on its mandate.
Osinbajo expressed the optimism that the project would be completed by the governor and urged him to continue to serve the people of the state diligently.
“Let me thank my brother, Governor Diri, for inviting me to be part of the second anniversary celebrations and the traditional rulers for the title conferred on me. I also bring you warm greetings from President, Muuhammadu Buhari GCFR.
“I am, of course, very excited to join you for this project. Driving through the road, I appreciate the wonderful gift that nature has bestowed on the state.There will be no inclusive prosperity without linking communities by road. So this project is very important. We must commend our dear brother, Governor Diri and his team for continuing with this project that has been on the drawing board for over 60 years”, he said.
“The partnership between the federal and state government is working as evidenced in the refunds of money used by the states for federal roads. We are confident that what your administration has started will be completed at the highest quality. I assure you of the support of the federal government and that you have not been forgotten. Once more, I congratulate Governor Diri and the beneficiary communities”, the Vice President added.
In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri described the flag- off of the link bridge as significant to the people of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, given the fact that it has been on the drawing board for over 60 years, saying despite the daunting hurdles and notwithstanding the lean financial situation of the state, his administration decided to prioritise the completion of the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road in furtherance of a strategic government master plan.
Diri described the project as a Trunk A federal road, expressing the readiness of the state government to partner the federal government to ensure the speedy completion of the project.
The governor while commending the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) for doing a good job so far, directed the Ministries of Finance and Works and Infrastructure to release not less than seventy(70%) percent of the contract sum to the firm to enhance its job, thanking the Vice President for finding time out of his tight schedules to flag-off the project,describing him as a lover of the state and a friend of the Niger Delta region.
A statement made available to Newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa state Governor,Mr Daniel Alabrah quoted Governor Diri to have said: “That we are here today is the culmination of the collective prayers, resoluteness and singlemindedness of the people of Bayelsa State and a demonstration of the fact that determination and perseverance can make the most unlikely dream come true. Thank you for joining us to change the trajectory of development of Bayelsa State.Interestingly, this bridge project evokes a symbolism that is compelling. When the wonderful story of how a bridge changed the destiny of a people would be told, Your Excellency, your name will be conspicuously mentioned.
“Mr. Vice President, there is a particular symbolism in today’s event. In the same way that physical bridges connect places, collaboration is a ‘bridge’ that connects people and interests. Your presence exemplifies the bridge of cooperation that endures between this Government of Prosperity and the Federal Government. And similarly, it takes time, effort and planning to build cooperation, as it does a physical bridge. We are greatly encouraged by your attendance.This Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road project is only one of the few projects by the federal government in Bayelsa State. That this project has been ongoing for 60 long years is a sad parable of the lack of attention that successive federal governments have paid to the region that continues to provide the bulk of the nation’s resources, at severe and sacrificial cost”, Governor Diri said.
In a welcome address, the chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Chief Nigeria Kia, described the ceremony as one of the happiest days in the lives of all Southern Ijaw people given the significance of the project, noting that the local government, which has over 200 communities, has only about five connected by road.
The Council chairman thanked Governor Diri for prioritising the project while, assuring that the people of the area will continue to support him.
Also speaking,the state’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, said the road was one of the three senatorial road projects aimed at opening up the state and boosting economic activities while also decongesting Yenagoa and reducing sea piracy, lauding CCECC and expressed optimism that the road will be completed within the specified time.
The Tide reports that other high points of the flag-off ceremony was the conferement of the chieftaincy title, ‘Ebi-akubowei 1’ (one who seeks good or progress) of Angiama Kingdom on the Vice President by the Angia-Ibe (Angiama) traditional institution.
The Tide also learnt that the Vice President prior to doing the flag-off had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council where he thanked custodians of the Ijaw tradition for the warm reception accorded him,while the Vice Chairman of the state’s Traditional Rulers Council, King Malla Sasime, had also thanked Osinbajo for recognising the traditional stool by his visit to them.

Niger Delta

Warri Delineation: Ekpemupolo Seeks Peaceful Impasse Resolution

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has called for calm and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing impasse in the Warri Federal Constituency.

Ekpemupolo, a High Chief in Ijaw land, who made the call in a statement in Warri, noted that the ongoing impasse arose from the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to complete the delineation of wards in the constituency.

He appealed that the situation must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.

“I join all well-meaning Nigerians to call for a peaceful resolution. The Ijaw nation has from time immemorial been known for their peaceful ways and we cannot deviate from our history.

“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.

“Therefore, I am calling for calm, no matter the situation. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse”, he said.

Ekpemupolo, who is also the Chairman, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), while urging INEC to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environ, called for an urgent meeting of community leaders to device a way forward.

“We call on the people of Warri (whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo) to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing”, he said.

He recalled that since on Monday, there had been mass action by peaceful women and youths from the various Ijaw communities in Delta, occupying oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri river areas.

He added that the peaceful action had led to calls from various quarters, particularly from well-meaning Nigerians, seeking for a peaceful resolution of the imbroglio.

Niger Delta

Progress In 21-Km Nembe-Brass Road Project Impresses Diri … As Contractor Pledges December Delivery Date

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed fulfillment with the ongoing construction of the 21km phase one of the Nembe-Brass road projects in the state’s eastern senatorial district.

The Governor described the project as a dream come true for him and the people of Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas.

Senator Diri, who inspected the expansive construction work on Tuesday, said the road, which cuts through the mangrove forest and rivers, was a testament to his administration’s determination to connect hitherto unreachable riverine communities by road despite the difficult terrain.

Led by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, ESV Moses Teibowei, Diri first inspected the asphalted 10km portion of the road with about three bridges, before crossing the river on a barge to see the extent of work on another 10km that had been stabilised.

Diri in astatement by his spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, was quoted as noting that it was one thing to have a vision and another to have the will to execute it.

Alabrah also quoted the Governor as saying that the project had been well funded since it commenced and assured that his administration will complete it on the date stated by the contractors.

On the second phase of the project undertaken by the federal government, the State Chief Execution appreciated President Bola Tinubu for awarding the contract and for ensuring that it is running simultaneously with the phase one being done by the state government.

“I feel accomplished. It is one thing to have the vision and another thing to have the will to do it. Being a Bayelsan, the importance of this road cannot be over-emphasised. This is what the people have been yearning for and I’m satisfied that the people are happy about the project.

“On funding, we have never disappointed the contractor and I believe they will not disappoint us. By the time the road is completed, it will reduce cases of sea piracy.

“Let me sieze this opportunity to thank President Bola Tinubu. There was another President when we proposed this road. We wrote, nobody answered us then. But this President did not only answer us, he awarded the contract for the second phase”, Diri said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Teibowei, expressed satisfaction with the level of work so far done, stressing that the most difficult aspect of the job had been done.

He said the fifth bridge being constructed will be completed in three months while assuring that the road will be finished within the stipulated time.

The Setraco Construction Company South-South Area Manager (Bayelsa and Rivers), Mr. Jose Cosme, said phase one of the road will be completed in December 2026.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Clears Compensation Hurdle, Accelerates 3.7Km Okrika-Borikiri Bridge Project

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said construction work on the 3.75-kilometre Okrika-Borikiri Road and bridge project in Rivers State will gather momentum following the payment of compensation to affected property owners at the Borikiri axis of the project.

Speaking during an inspection of the project site in Okrika, the NDDC Assistant Director, Utilities, Infrastructure Development and Waterways (UIDW), Martins Isichei, disclosed that compensation issues that had stalled progress on the Borikiri alignment had been resolved.

According to him, the Commission has settled compensation claims for property owners affected by the project corridor and is awaiting the evacuation of residents before commencing demolition of structures within the right of way.

“The NDDC has paid compensation to property owners along the Borikiri alignment, and we are expecting the evacuation of residents there before we commence demolition of structures in the right of way”, he said.

Isichei noted that work on the Okrika section of the project had recorded significant progress despite challenges encountered on the waterways.

He explained that shortly after work resumed, a vessel collided with an existing pile, forcing engineers to redesign part of the bridge structure.

“When we resumed work on the site, a vessel collided with an existing pile. We had to re-profile the bridge and develop a new design to circumvent the damaged pile”, he said.

The NDDC official expressed optimism that the project would ease traffic congestion along the refinery road corridor and significantly reduce travel time between Okrika and Port Harcourt upon completion.

He explained that the project comprises three major bridge structures: the 180-metre Kolabi Bridge at Etche Waterfront, the 1,120-metre Abotoru Bridge, and the 490-metre Okpoka Bridge.

While acknowledging that progress on the Borikiri alignment had lagged because of compensation-related issues, Isichei said construction activities would commence there shortly.

Also speaking, the Project Consultant, Azu Chukwuma, said the scope of the project was reviewed following its revival to align with present realities and engineering requirements.

He noted that efforts were underway to accelerate construction, particularly the launching of bridge beams, despite the high cost of marine logistics associated with the project.

“Our intention is to determine how quickly we can proceed with launching the first sets of beams. The work is mainly on the river, and much of the marine logistics involved is costly. I am in touch with the appropriate officials of the NDDC to determine the best way forward”, Chukwuma stated.

He commended host communities for their cooperation, noting that the absence of major disputes had contributed to the project’s steady progress.

A representative of the construction company, Maroun Kassouf, said fabrication of bridge beams had advanced considerably and that installation would begin soon.

“The project is progressing well. Once people evacuate at the Borikiri end, we will demolish the structures there and move to that site immediately. That end would be much easier, as the river is shallower than the Okrika end”, he said.

The Vice Chairman of the Okrika Community Development Committee, Minengibi Ferdinand, lauded the NDDC for undertaking the project, describing it as a critical infrastructure that would improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

He said the road and bridge network would provide an alternative route to Okrika, ease pressure on the East-West Road and open up communities for greater socio-economic development.

“This is a laudable project that will ease traffic on the East-West Road and provide an alternate route to Okrika. We are hopeful that once it is completed, it will attract socio-economic development to our community”, Ferdinand said.