Business has ground to a halt at Nembe Jetty on Creek Road as boat operators and traders count the cost of the newly opened Bonny-Bodo Road, with many now pleading with the government for urgent intervention to save their livelihoods.
The once-thriving waterfront, which served as the main gateway for passengers travelling to and from Bonny Island, now wears a desolate look.
Rows of idle boats bob on the water while operators spend their days waiting for customers who no longer come.
A boat operator, popularly known as DPO, described the situation as devastating.
“The new road has taken away almost all our passengers. People now prefer to drive because it is faster and safer,” he said.
DPO acknowledged the relief the road has brought to residents of Bonny and surrounding communities who were cut off from road access for decades.
“For them, it is a big relief and joy. But for us here, it has brought serious hardship,” he added.
He noted that river travel has always been risky due to piracy and turbulent waters during certain seasons, factors that have made the road option far more attractive. With demand for water transport now limited mostly to occasional trips to service vessels that cannot be reached by road, many boat owners are desperately trying to sell their vessels.
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“The situation has pushed many young people out of work. We appeal to the government to remember the youths affected by this and create jobs and empowerment programmes so they are not forced into crime,” DPO said.
The ripple effects have also hit traders operating around the jetty. Hope Jacob, who sells engine oil, said her daily sales have collapsed.
“I used to sell several large containers every day, but now I am lucky to sell even one every two days,” she lamented.
Hope explained that the decline in boat operations has affected other businesses linked to companies operating in Bonny, urging the government to create awareness on the continued importance of water transport and provide support for affected traders.
While the Bonny-Bodo Road has been widely celebrated for ending Bonny Kingdom’s long dependence on water transport, stakeholders at Nembe Jetty insist that the government must act quickly to prevent the total collapse of the water-based economy.
They are calling on both the Rivers State and Federal Governments to roll out economic diversification initiatives, skills training, and financial support to help the affected workers adapt to the new reality.
