Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on
Tuesday, praised President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to
the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road project.
Governor Diri gave the commendation during the
courtesy visit of the project’s contractors, A.I.L Infrastructure Limited, to
Government House, Yenagoa.
The project, which had been on the drawing board for
over 60 years, was started by the Diri administration in 2022 with 60 per cent
of the 21km phase one already completed.
The Bayelsa governor expressed profound gratitude to
President Tinubu for mobilising the
contractor to site, saying the Nembe-Brass road was not just an infrastructure
project but was crucial to the state’s economic
development.
He said despite the huge cost of the project, his
administration decided to kick-start it due to its significance to not just the
people of the area but the entire state and Nigeria at large.
Diri stated that construction of the road was long
overdue given the contribution of Nembe and Brass local governments to the
national economy.
He expressed optimism that given the timelines stated
by the contractor, the project will be completed before the expiration of his
second tenure.
Diri assured the contractor of maximum cooperation and
directed the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure as well as the
chairmen of Brass and Nembe councils to work closely with the contractor to
make the project a reality.
His words: "You might not understand the level of
elation and happiness of the people of Bayelsa State, and particularly the
people of Nembe and Brass local government areas over this project.
"I deliberately wanted to put this on record and
for the media to also know what is happening to our state and what is happening
now. There is a lot of misinformation out there and I believe that this event
will go a long way in correcting the misinformation.
"Bayelsa has three senatorial districts like
every other state. But each of our senatorial districts leads to the Atlantic
Ocean.
“This is a project we have been talking about for many
years. But it is now being actualised. So, let me extend my heartfelt gratitude
to President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support and commitment to the
development of Bayelsa State.
"To my mind and the rest of the citizens of
Bayelsa, this project reaffirms Mr. President's vision for inclusivity in
national growth and development. The people of Bayelsa deeply appreciate this
milestone that Mr. President has approved for Bayelsa.
"This road is not just an infrastructure project
but a long overdue economic lifeline. Our government took the bold initiative
to commence the Nembe-Brass road project fully aware of the huge financial
implications. But we were driven by the imperative to enhance connectivity,
stimulate economic growth and opening us up to the economic potential of the
Atlantic Ocean."
Earlier, chairman of A.I.L Infrastructure Limited,
Engr. Biodun Otunola,
said phase two of the project was awarded in July
2024, saying the company had already done the preliminary work.
He explained that it will be a concrete road project
given the swampy nature of Bayelsa and that it was the best technology to
deploy on the job.
Otunola assured that the project will be built to high
standards and completed within schedule.
He solicited the support of the state government in
community liaison and security, and requested for a date for a formal flag-off
of the project.
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