Akenfa Bridge Row: Bayelsa Government Clarifies Project Now Under NDDC Control
The Bayelsa State Government has distanced itself from responsibility for the long-delayed Akenfa Bridge project, clarifying that the contract is now fully under the supervision of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In a statement released on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the government addressed recent protests that blocked the busy Mbiama–Yenagoa Road at Akenfa, sparked by frustrations over the project’s prolonged delay.
“The public is aware that the contract for the Akenfa Bridge was first awarded by Shell Petroleum Development Company in 2000 before being taken over by the NDDC,” the statement read. “In 2023, following years of delay and rising concern over the hardship faced by residents in that corridor, the state government requested that the NDDC hand over the project and other critical works for speedy completion.”
According to the Commissioner, while the NDDC initially agreed to the handover, the agency later reversed its decision after discussions, reclaiming control of the bridge project for completion.
“As it stands, the Akenfa Bridge is now the responsibility of the Niger Delta Development Commission, not the Bayelsa State Government,” Obiyai explained, adding that community leaders were fully aware of this development.
The government described the recent protests as “ill-advised and misdirected,” saying they wrongly targeted the state rather than the agency responsible. “It is surprising to see community leaders accuse the government of abandonment despite the ongoing Prosperity ASSURED projects in Akenfa,” the statement noted.
Officials expressed disappointment that local leaders were “playing politics with their community’s development,” stressing that such actions risk disrupting public order and the daily lives of commuters.
Nonetheless, the Bayelsa government assured residents that it remains concerned about the plight of the Akenfa community and would engage the NDDC to ensure the project does not suffer further delays.
“The state government has taken note of the community’s concerns and will liaise with the NDDC to ensure timely completion of the bridge,” Obiyai said. “However, we strongly advise the community to exercise restraint and avoid further protests that may obstruct free movement or disrupt public peace.”
The statement underscored the administration’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure development under Governor Douye Diri’s Prosperity Agenda, highlighting the importance of cooperation between government agencies and communities to drive sustainable progress in Bayelsa State.
