Bayelsa State Government has approved an intervention fund of N3 billion for the completion of the Ogbia/Nembe Road abandoned since 2007.
The project, which was jointly awarded to SETRACO by a joint venture of the NDDC and SPDC, had witnessed slow pace of work until it was finally abandoned in 2007 due to lack of fund.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Markson Fefegha, made the disclosure when he briefed newsmen in Yenagoa on Friday.
Fefegha said the construction of the road would reduce the incidence of sea piracy on the waterways, adding that the State Executive Council recently resolved to complete the road.
He said the decision to seek for the intervention fund was in line with the promise made by the governor during his thank you tour to the area.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor, said the government would hold discussions with the NDDC and SPDC to ensure that the contractor was mobilised back to site.
He noted that the present administration’s plan of constructing a road from Nembe to Brass would not be achieved without the completion of Ogbia/Nembe Road.
“Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have been bothering ourselves with Ogbia-Nembe Road, but we have to do it for three reasons.
“The Ogbia-Nembe Road, if not completed, our dream of hitting the Atlantic through the Eastern flanks, which the governor promised, and to connect Brass will not be achieved.
“Secondly, that road has become a necessity because of the need to reduce piracy and open up that area for development.
“Quite a good number of communities are on that alignment,” Ewhrudjakpor said.
He explained that the road which was awarded in 2003/2004 had witnessed variation upon variation and as such was giving government great concern.
Aside the completion of Nembe/Ogbia Road, he said the council also approved the award of contract for the repair of Otuasega/Ogbia Bridge and construction of internal roads in Ogbia Town.
