Bayelsa State and Surprises

By Surv. Furoebi F.S. Akene

Surprise in this context is the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you. The unexpected is both positive and negative depending on the impact and what it portends. The surprises I am deeply worried about are the ways construction activities are been carried out in the State particularly in the area of roads and bridges. Let’s take a look at the Bayelsa Central Road with particular reference to the bridges across the silver river (80m wide) around Aguobiri and now the one across the river Nun (450m wide) around Angiama. Both are tidal rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean with high profile economic activities with light and heavy-duty transport and cargo boats operating always.

The surprise is the closure of the silver river for over two years while the construction was ongoing which was unethically done in the history of bridge construction across such category of river. As it is expected of professional ethics, no post blockade sounding was conducted to ascertain the level of siltation the area suffered from the infamous unprofessional blockade.

Now is the turn of the river nun where an improvised bridge is under construction to close the river because no boat can safely pass under the improvised bridge particularly during the period of the flood. This is highly condemnable from the economic and safety points of view. One can also infer that the contractor doesn’t have the technical knowhow and expertise on bridge constructions across such rivers, hence the option of closure and improvised bridge is being adopted.

Using comparative analysis, the one for river nun of over 450 metres wide will take several years to complete as it took the one on silver river of about 80metres wide over two years. This simply implies that the busy nun river will be closed for navigation by boats for these several years except canoes. However, it is on record that the bridge across Ekole river of about 300 metres wide was completed within one year by the administration of HE Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, the Tombia bridge across the river nun of about 450 metres wide was completed within two years by the Federal ministry of works. Also, the Bomodi bridge in Delta State across the river of about 500metres wide was completed within two years by the administration of HE James Onanefe Ibori, and none with an improvised parallel bridge, so why is our own different? With the right contractor and with appropriate supervising technical team without compromising standard, the original bridge should be completed latest February 2024, two years after the flag off by the former vice president Prof Yemi Osibanjo, GCON, so why the improvised parallel bridge that is a colossal waste and threat to marine safety?

The main question I wish to ask is “did the client, contractors and the consultants conduct proper environmental impact assessment EIA, job safety analysis JSA and critically analyse the implications and the possible alternatives before embarking on this improvised parallel bridge?” The second question is “Does the government consider the colossal economic waste and the safety implications associated with this improvised parallel bridge, and what purpose is it going to serve? It shall be more beneficial concentrating the financial and other resources on the main bridge which would have gone near completion as against the present position where it is still at the shoreline around Angiama the beginning point.

Already, marine operators have started experiencing the hazards of the improvised bridge as they have to meander through the portion of the river that is not covered yet to navigate across, which means that, when it fully crosses to the other side of the river, no boat can pass under safely, particularly cargo boats with the flood approaching. This could also pose serious threat to marine safety on the river. Already boat operators and owners are becoming apprehensive over the danger ahead, particularly during flood seasons. We also hope that all the necessary studies and analysis like the geotechnical studies, the bathymetry etc were comprehensively done and analysed before the commencement of construction so as not to experience avoidable complications and regrets. From technical and economic points of view, the temporary/improvised parallel bridge is ill advised and a colossal waste of resources.

The attached photographs here are self-explanatory. The last pillar of the main bridge is still at the shoreline of the Angiama end which suggests that there is no construction work going on, on the main bridge, while one of the pictures showing waves of a boat that is meandering through the uncovered area of the improvised iron bridge. How on earth can someone conceptualize and implement this danger called improvised parallel bridge and what is the purpose of it? If one considers the cost of construction and removal of this bridge, the time and energy wasted and plough it into the construction of the main bridge, it would have gone very far to an appreciable level of completion. What is the cost benefit analysis of this temporary bridge?

If I may ask further, “What is the position of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority NIWA in this case where a major waterway will not only be shut down for possibly a good number of years but also with so much marine safety issues?”

May we never be in a position where we can’t speak the truth simply because our next meal depends on someone.

I wish to end this piece with the following quotes: –

1. Will Durant, A writer, Historian and Philosopher said “Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance”
2. An American Theologian; Tryon Edwards said: “He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, will never be wiser on the morrow than he is today”.

With utmost humility and commitment, I come in peace with all amount of professionalism, sincerity and modesty.

God bless Bayelsa State

*Surv. Furoebi F.S. Akene, FNIS, FNES is a development consultant at the Centre for Environmental Preservation and Development (CEPAD), Abuja.

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