Brass—The Nembe-Brass road which connects communities in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to the rest of the state, has been in the books for decades with successive governments (both federal and state) doing little to kick start the project.
The significance of the road is immeasurable, given its socio-economic importance and the potential development it will bring to Brass Island and its environs when constructed.
The president of the Brass federated Youth Council (BFYC), Comrade Ayebatonbara Telimoye Stephen-Gow, in a chat with our reporter, stated that the people of Brass Local Government Area have waited for more than half a century for the road to be constructed.
He stressed that the people are sad because of the state of the Nembe-Brass road.
According to him, over the years, promises have been made to the people regarding the construction of the road, but they have not been fulfilled.
In his words: “What we feel as Brassians is great sadness knowing that Brass Local Government Area is denied the benefit of a motorable road linking it to other parts of the state.
“More saddening is the accumulated failed promises by the state and federal government on the construction of the Nembe-Brass road.”
The youth leader argued that Brass is the only local government in Bayelsa that has not been linked or connected by road with other parts of the state.
He said the issue of terrain that has been often cited as an excuse to commence the construction of the road by the government is old, making comparisons with the second Niger bridge under construction by the federal government.
“It amazes me how the same excuse is not given by the government in respect to the second Niger bridge which is being constructed by the Buhari-led federal government,” he said.
Stephen-Gow stressed that the construction of the Nembe-Brass road has the potential to unlock many economic opportunities in the Brass area as well as stop the age-long piracy and criminal activities on the waterways.
He opined that the road when constructed would also engender socio-economic development, reduce the high cost of living and bring about a sense of inclusion among the Brass people.
“There should be a wake-up call to all political leaders and stakeholders from the council as concerning the Nembe-Brass road project. As I said, the road sadly has become a mirage maybe because of our indifference towards the project. We have to wake up and make concerted efforts towards the realization of this project.
“I want to urge everyone, all well-meaning persons from Brass to work towards the Nembe-Brass project. The road projects should not be politicized but all hands should be on deck to see that this road project is started and completed for the good of all Brass people.
“As one of the stakeholders representing the youths in the council, I want to draw the attention of the federal government, the state government, lawmakers from the Brass Area in the National Assembly, political appointees and captains of industries to put in efforts to make this road project a reality in the shortest of time,” Stephen-Gow noted.
The youth leader thanked the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri for his efforts to commence the construction of the road.
“I want to thank Governor Douye Diri for making the construction of the Nembe-Brass road one of his administration’s topmost priorities.
“It is a project that has been talked about for a very long time which successive governments both state and federal did little to commence.
“So hearing the miracle Governor assuring us that the state government is making efforts to partner the federal government to kickstart the project brings me happiness as a Brassian.
“I pray that the Governor’s words will be matched with action because the road has so much economic and security importance to the Brass council area,” he said.
He advised youths in the area to shun violence and remain peaceful during the upcoming 2023 general elections.
The youth leader equally advised those without Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and lawfully cast their votes for their preferred candidates in 2023.
