Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday, praised President Bola Tinubu for his administration?s commitment to the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road project.

Governor Diri gave the commendation during the courtesy visit of the project?s contractors, A.I.L Infrastructure Limited, to Government House, Yenagoa.

The project, which had been on the drawing board for over 60 years, was started by the Diri administration in 2022 with 60 per cent of the 21km phase one already completed.

The Bayelsa governor expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for mobilising the contractor to site, saying the Nembe-Brass road was not just an infrastructure project but was crucial to the state?s economic development.

He said despite the huge cost of the project, his administration decided to kick-start it due to its significance to not just the people of the area but the entire state and Nigeria at large.

Diri stated that construction of the road was long overdue given the contribution of Nembe and Brass local governments to the national economy.

He expressed optimism that given the timelines stated by the contractor, the project will be completed before the expiration of his second tenure.

Diri assured the contractor of maximum cooperation and directed the state?s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure as well as the chairmen of Brass and Nembe councils to work closely with the contractor to make the project a reality.

His words: "You might not understand the level of elation and happiness of the people of Bayelsa State, and particularly the people of Nembe and Brass local government areas over this project.

?I deliberately wanted to put this on record and for the media to also know what is happening to our state and what is happening now. There is a lot of misinformation out there and I believe that this event will go a long way in correcting the misinformation.

?Bayelsa has three senatorial districts like every other state. But each of our senatorial districts leads to the Atlantic Ocean.

?This is a project we have been talking about for many years. But it is now being actualised. So, let me extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support and commitment to the development of Bayelsa State.

?To my mind and the rest of the citizens of Bayelsa, this project reaffirms Mr. President?s vision for inclusivity in national growth and development. The people of Bayelsa deeply appreciate this milestone that Mr. President has approved for Bayelsa.

?This road is not just an infrastructure project but a long overdue economic lifeline. Our government took the bold initiative to commence the Nembe-Brass road project fully aware of the huge financial implications. But we were driven by the imperative to enhance connectivity, stimulate economic growth and opening us up to the economic potential of the Atlantic Ocean.?

Earlier, chairman of A.I.L Infrastructure Limited, Engr. Biodun Otunola,

Said phase two of the project was awarded in July 2024, saying the company had already done the preliminary work.

He explained that it will be a concrete road project given the swampy nature of Bayelsa and that it was the best technology to deploy on the job.

Otunola assured that the project will be built to high standards and completed within schedule.

He solicited the support of the state government in community liaison and security, and requested for a date for a formal flag-off of the project.

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