Prominent environmental and human rights activist, Comr. Morris Alagoa, has commended the Bayelsa State Government for its efforts toward completing the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road project.
Alagoa, who is the Deputy Executive Director of the Environmental Defenders Network, gave the commendation at a press briefing shortly after leading members of the Civil Society in the state to inspect the road project.
“If this road reaches Oporoma and proceeds to Ondewari, not only will the Ondewari people be excited, but other Southern Ijaw communities in Olodiama clan, Apoi clan, even down to Ukubie and Koluama will be happy.
“So, I’m very happy that we are here. We only pray that the resources needed are available for the project to be completed in record time, maybe before the end of this year.
“This has been part of my self-sacrifice for Bayelsa State. I have been monitoring road and bridge projects for a long time,”he said.
Also a native of Ondewari community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Alagoa hinted that “I started monitoring this road project about seven years ago, so it is something that has been ongoing for a long time.
“If I have been doing it in other places, why shouldn’t I be excited when it comes to my own place? Even if there is no money to complete it, the government should borrow funds, but not for buying cars for politicians.”
Alagoa who is also the immediate past Technical Adviser on Environment to the Governor further urged the state government not to rest on its laurels, as “posterity will always smile on them.”
On his part, Alaowei Oyeinfie Jonjon, an indigene of Otuan community commended Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for the project.
Jonjon, who is a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and the immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor on Ijaw National Affairs, stated that the people of the community are eternally grateful.
“Otuan is one of the food baskets of this state, and in Southern Ijaw. We have more landmass than any community you can think of because of our unique geographical location.
“Records also show that at the peak of plantain cultivation, Otuan produces no less than two trailer loads of plantains every week,” he expressed.
He said, the road, when completed, will reduce the cost of transporting “these goods, and the community will be exposed to visitors who may come and settle.”
Also speaking, Samuel Atabai, Community Liaison Officer (CLO) of CCECC, the company handling the road project, appreciated Diri for the milestone achieved so far.
He further lauded the Bayelsa helmsman for “his courage in executing the project despite the difficult terrain.”
