Bayelsa Community Cries Out Over Abandoned NDDC Road Projects (PHOTOS)
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By Amos Okioma
LAGOS NOVEMBER 14TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The non completion of the Kolokuma- Sabagriea –Polaku road in Bayelsa state by the Niger Delta Development Commission many years after the award of contract for its construction is giving inhabitants of communities around the area cause for concern.
The road project was designed to connect communities in Yenagoa and Kolokuma-Opokuma local government areas of Bayelsa state and provide an alternative route from the East- West road into the state capital.
But, our correspondent , Aherhoke Okioma who visited Polaku community, one of the areas the road project was to connect reports that indigenes and residents are lamenting the socio-economic effects of the abandoned project.
Polaku is one of eleven communities that makes up Gbarain kingdom in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa State while Sabagriea is in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area.
Polaku is a confluence town where the Taylor Creek meets the Nun River which runs through Kaiama, Sabagriea and meets the Taylor Creek at Polaku, continuing from there into Southern Ijaw; taking water into the Atlantic Ocean, via other tributaries.
In a bid to link the communities in the area by road, the civilian administration of the late Chief Melford Okilo in Old Rivers State conceived and commenced the project in1982 but could not continue following the military coup that brought civil rule to an end then.
With the project abandoned, the Niger Delta Development Commission [NDDC] took over in the early year two thousand.
Unfortunately, the contract for the project which was re-awarded to Elite Construction Company limited with one or two bridges completed has again been abandoned compelling those seeking to pass through polaku to Kolokuma/Opokuma to be ferried across the Taylor creek by some women or children who then board motor cycles to Kaiama; after linking the East/West Road at Opokuma junction.
According to the paramount ruler of Polaku, chief Barnabas Tarila, the non completion of the road takes its toll on the people.
An indigene of the community, Elder Oyoro Izon-Owei outlines some of the potential socio-economic benefits the people would have enjoyed with the road.
Community rights activist, mr. alagoa morris charged the niger delta development commission to see to the completion of the kaiama-kolokuma-sabagrea-polaku road.
Observers say if the Sabagriea/Polaku route had been completed, the traffic challenge which often make travelers spend several hours between Kaiama and Mbiama axis of the east west road would have been minimized.
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Posted by News Rangers
on Nov 14 2017. Filed under State.
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