Akenfa Natives Protest Over Abandoned Link Bridge in the Bayelsa Community

Claim 10 Lives Lost to Stalled Project

By Mercy Folounsho

The people of Akenfa community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have demanded the completion of a bridge project abandoned in the area for over two decades.

Community leaders, chiefs, women and youths blocked the Yenagoa -Mbiama road to call on government and the Niger Delta Development Commission to return to site and complete construction works on the bridge.

Locals say over ten lives had been lost to the abandoned bridge.

Akenfa is one of the 19 communities that make up Epie Speaking Clan in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

In 2005, multinational oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) initiated a bridge in the community to link various areas but the project has remained abandoned, causing frustration among natives and residents.

Promises by the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Bayelsa State government to take over the project and see to its completion have remained a mirage.

Worried by the situation , the people of Akenfa community staged a peaceful protest blocking the Yenagoa -Mbiama road, calling on the government and the NDDC to urgently complete the long-abandoned Akenfa Link Bridge.

Led by community chiefs, women, and youth, the people say the abandoned project has disrupted daily movement and crippled local socio-economic activities in the area.

The Paramount ruler of Akenfa, Chief Obadiah Osomu John said several appeals to the NDDC and the government had not been given the necessary attention despite promises by the interventionist agency and the Bayelsa State government promising in February this year to return to site within three months.

Other locals said though the stalled bridge was approved alongside that in Polaku which is nearing completion, that of Akenfa had not been given attention, as the abandoned bridge had wreaked havoc including claiming lives.

A detachment of policemen from the Bayelsa State Police Command however fired shots and tear gas cannisters to disperse the protesters.

The people of Akenfa say as hosts to oil production facilities in Bayelsa State they deserve basic infrastructure and amenities to fast track development of the community.