Akenfa Bridge: Bàyelsa SG Mediates Between Community, NDDC, Renaissance * Urges protesters to dismantle blockade at oil facility

By Inegbagha Majesty 

The Bayelsa State Government has renewed efforts to resolve the prolonged crisis surrounding the abandoned Akenfa Link Bridge project in Yenagoa Local Government Area, urging the community to dismantle the blockade mounted at an oil facility operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.

Dr. Peter Akpe, Bàyelsa State Deputy Governor 

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, made the appeal on Tuesday during a meeting with the leadership of Akenfa Community at the Government House, Yenagoa.

Akpe urged the community to suspend its protest against Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited over the non-completion of the bridge project, stressing that dialogue remained the most effective means of resolving disputes.

He cautioned communities against disrupting oil production activities as a means of attracting government attention to their grievances, noting that such actions could undermine efforts to find lasting solutions.

The Deputy Governor sympathised with the Akenfa people over the prolonged delay in completing the project, but expressed concern that a tripartite committee constituted by the previous administration had apparently failed to discharge its responsibilities.

Akpe said that although the matter was being brought to his attention for the first time since assuming office, he would engage relevant stakeholders to facilitate the resumption and completion of the project.

He also promised to personally contact the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ascertain the current status of the project, following its official handover by the state government to the interventionist agency in 2025.

His words: “Embarking on demonstrations and creating blockades to public facilities is not the best option to undertake in order to elicit government’s attention to address your grievances.

“Dialogue remains the best option to seeking concrete resolution because even when you fight, you will still come back to the settlement table.

“I am aware of the official communication to the NDDC by the state government handing over the Akenfa Bridge project to the agency. So, the solution to this problem is not to stop the operations of the oil company operating in your community.

“As a people, you should always be guided by laws and not take laws into your hands. We sympathise with the Akenfa Community for your suffering due to the non-completion of that project. But let me assure you that we will interface with the NDDC to do the needful.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, recalled the outcome of a meeting held on December 4 last year under the leadership of the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

She explained that the state government had informed the Akenfa Community at the meeting that the bridge project had officially been handed back to the NDDC.

According to her, a steering tripartite committee comprising representatives of the Akenfa Community, NDDC and the state government was subsequently constituted to facilitate the resumption of work on the project.

She listed members of the committee as the state NDDC representative, Senator Deinyabofa Dimaro; Commissioner for Special Duties (Central), Mr. Mandy Akpallo; and Chief Dikivie Ikiogha.

Others are the Technical Adviser to the Governor on NDDC Matters, Mr. Kuro Nyenye; Chief Isiya Albert; Secretary to the Akenfa Community, Mr. Wilson Mumeya; Youth President, Mr. Moses Izibekiebo; and an engineer to be nominated by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Earlier, the Paramount Ruler of Akenfa, HRH Godspower Thompson Obaya, and a community stakeholder, Mr. Wilson Mumeya, attributed the latest protest to the hardship allegedly caused by the prolonged abandonment of the bridge project.

HRH Godspower Thompson Obaya, Paramount Ruler, Akenfa Community speaking.

They said the project was initiated in 2010 following an alleged agreement between the NDDC and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.

The community leaders, however, expressed appreciation to the Deputy Governor for intervening in the matter, saying his intervention had given the people renewed hope that the long-delayed project could eventually be completed.