Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has performed the groundbreaking of the construction of Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, which will link Yenogoa, Capital of Bayelsa, to Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Delivering a speech at the event on Saturday, Osinbajo, who drove through the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road, said that the natural beauty and enormous potential of the great state was poignant and self evident.
He said that the construction of the bridge, which was, in itself, a significant component of the road, would have far reaching impact on the lives of the people of the community and unlock their potential.
“The farmers and fishermen that will be connected to new markets as easier and more efficient logistics enables them expand their operations, employ more people, and provide better opportunities for their families.
“Not to mention the improvement of security through an access road that circumvents sea pirates, and allows traders go about their businesses safely.
“No local economy in the world can survive by being isolated; cities and towns thrive partly because they develop and sustain infrastructure that allows for profitable and free economic, social, and cultural exchanges.
“And so by facilitating easier access to places like Yenagoa, and beyond, with this bridge, we will be laying a foundation for development that will deepen commerce and create individual and collective opportunities for the people of these communities.’’
According to him, communities like Oporoma, Angiama, and others across the Niger-Delta, are host to vast amounts of mineral wealth and natural resources.
He said that the communities deserved to have considerable developmental gains to show for it.
“We are well on our way towards correcting historical lapses in this respect, as a matter of urgency, through the collaborative efforts of the federal, state, and local governments, each one putting aside personal interests, and doing the best they can for the communities which have undeservedly suffered for so long.
“And so we take this bridge, in the long line of Gov. Douye Diri’s ambitious projects across health, education, security and infrastructural development, as a symbol of those ongoing efforts.
“It should not cost you almost the same amount of money to move from Oporoma or Angiama to Yenagoa, as it does to Benin or Lagos; and we believe those days are almost behind you.
“We are confident that what your administration has started will be completed at the highest level of quality and in good time.
“We encourage the people of the community to take ownership of this, as with all the ongoing projects of this administration, and to work with the government to ensure that it is completed and maintained without hindrance or sabotage.’’
He assured Bayelsa people of Federal Government’s full support and collaboration in every way possible.
He said that the milestone was just the beginning of greater things to come.
“There are dreams on this side of the proposed bridge as it is flagged off today – dreams that it will be speedily completed, and that our people will thus be connected to all the possibilities needed to realise their full potentials.
“Once more, I congratulate Gov. Diri, the government and people of Bayelsa on these game changing achievements as they unfold.
“We celebrate the progress being made here today and stand with you in your journey to building a Bayelsa that commands the respect of cities everywhere in the world, a Bayelsa where every town, village, people, or person, can benefit from their God given resources and live their lives in peace and prosperity.”
In his address, Diri said that Osinbajo had demonstrated that indeed he was a Bayelsan by his presence at the event.
He said he was pleased the historic and iconic event of the groundbreaking of the Angiama-Oporoma Link Bridge would occur during the activities commemorating the second anniversary of the prosperity administration.
The governor said he was pleased that a valued and cherished leader, friend and brother accepted the invitation to perform the groundbreaking of the project.
He also commended the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the firm handling the project and appreciated the Federal Government for its support.
“CCECE has proven to us that they are our reliable friends; they have proven to us that they have what it takes to complete this bridge at a reliable time.
“May I at this juncture appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“This, indeed, is a Federal Government road; and upon the construction by the previous administration, ranging from former President Goodluck Jonathan, when he was governor, down to Seriake Dickson Restoration Government, you all remember that recently, we had a refund of infrastructure which was refunded by the Federal Government under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“And those were of the funds that have enabled us to do what we are doing across the state,’’ he said.
Diri said he would continue to partner with the Federal Government in developing the state.
The highlight of the event was the conferment of chieftaincy title on the vice president—“Ebiyiakubo-owei keni of Agia-Ibe’’ meaning the One Who Brings Glory to the Land of Agie-Ibe.
Osinbajo had earlier paid a courtesy call to traditional rulers at the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat, Yenegoa.
