The Bayelsa Government has flagged off construction of the first phase of the Nembe-Brass road linking the two coastal local government areas.
The project, which is one of the three senatorial roads in the state, was revived by the Douye Diri led-administration with the first phase of 21km and 10 bridges awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited for N54.1billion.
At the flagg-off ceremony on Thursday in Nembe, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by Mr Godwin Eke, Director of Highways South-South, lauded the state governor, Douye Diri for commencing the project.
Fashola said the road development was another way of delivering prosperity to the people and congratulated the state government on the strides achieved.
He further urged the ministry to leverage on the government’s current tax credit scheme with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to the advantage of the project.
The state governor, in his remark, said the road had suffered several setbacks by past govermnets but that his administration was determined to end them.
Diri pledged to end the sufferings of residents in the area in the hands of sea pirates and kidnappers, assuring them of his government’s commitment to the project, regardless of the dwindling economic situation in the country.
“Let me appreciate the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Minister, who did not only reply when we wrote but also showed keen interest in this project.
“We wanted to replicate what was being done in Bonny Island in Rivers State with the tax relief scheme of the present government at the centre.
“We thought that part of Agip’s tax remitted to the Federal Government can also be plowed into construction of the Nembe-Brass road.
“Unfortunately, the reply we got from Agip was not encouraging. We, however, resolved that with or without Agip or any other person, this road must commence this year.”
Earlier, Bayelsa Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, said the road would attract large investment to Brass Island, noting that it had the potential of an economic free trade zone.
He explained that the project was divided into three phases with the first commencing from Nembe to Saint Nicolas River.
The second phase would be a 600-metre bridge crossing the river, while the third phase would be from the bridge to Twon-Brass.
Also, the Deputy Managing Director of Setraco Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ziad Muonanse, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in his company for the construction of major roads in the state and assured that the project would be delivered to the highest standards and within the stipulated time.
The road, when completed, will open up Brass Island, which has key national economic assets including the Agip Oil export terminal, the ongoing Brass Liquefied Natural Gas and the Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical projects.
