Bayelsa Governor Cites Roads and Bridges Built Across Swamps, Says Highway Will Unlock Development in Coastal Communities
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has faulted criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project by former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, insisting that the project is feasible despite the swampy terrain of the Niger Delta.
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Duke had described the proposed highway as an impossibility during an interview on Arise Television, citing the difficult terrain of Bayelsa State and suggesting that hundreds of bridges might be required to navigate its swamps.
The 750-kilometre coastal highway, being constructed by the Federal Government, is designed to traverse nine coastal states: Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
In his remarks, Duke reportedly stated: *”The Lagos-Calabar Road is unbuildable. You cannot even go through Bayelsa. Bayelsa is swamp. Even Yenagoa, the capital, is swamp. You will probably have to build about 100 or 200 bridges to go through those swamps.”
Diri: Duke Is Not Abreast of Developments in Bayelsa
Reacting to Duke’s comments in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri expressed disappointment that a former governor from the South-South region would criticise the project on the basis of the terrain.
The governor suggested that Duke’s criticism might be politically motivated, arguing that it did not reflect the realities of infrastructure development in Bayelsa State.
Diri said the state had successfully constructed roads, bridges and other infrastructure across swampy and mangrove terrain, demonstrating that engineering solutions could overcome the geographical challenges of the Niger Delta.
He stated:
“I have seen the trending video clip of the former Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Donald Duke, on an Arise Television programme.
“To say the least, I feel disappointed that former Governor Duke, who is from our region, made such comment. Clearly, he is not abreast of current developments in road construction and infrastructure development in our state.
“I want to believe that his criticism had political colourations and he did not consider the significance of such a project to our region.”
Governor Lists Bayelsa Infrastructure Projects
To support his position, Diri cited several road and bridge projects undertaken in the state, including the Nembe-Brass Road, the Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge Road and the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road.
According to him, these major causeways, located across the state’s three senatorial districts, demonstrate the possibility of constructing roads through swampy terrain.
He also referenced the 630-metre bridge across River Nun at Angiama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, describing it as one of the longest bridges in the region.
The governor further cited the dualised roads in New Yenagoa City and the three phases of the Glory Drive dualisation project, which he said were constructed through forested and swampy areas.
“In Bayelsa, we have successfully constructed dual carriage roads and bridges in similar terrain, and our state is better for it,” he said.
Dismissing Duke’s description of Yenagoa as entirely swampy, Diri maintained that the city’s infrastructure development demonstrated the feasibility of major construction projects in the area.
“So, he is wrong. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road is buildable and possible,” the governor declared.
Diri: Coastal Highway Will Unlock Regional Development
Beyond the engineering debate, Diri said the coastal highway was critical to unlocking economic opportunities and accelerating development in the states and riverine communities along its route.
He noted that the project held particular significance for the Ijaw ethnic nationality, which, according to him, had advocated a coastal road for decades.
The governor recalled that the Ijaw National Congress (INC) had championed the proposal since its establishment in the 1990s, presenting the request to successive Federal Government administrations.
Diri said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had eventually undertaken the project after years of advocacy.
He identified the project as one of the considerations behind his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the interests of his people remained paramount.
Governor Warns Against Politicising Development
Diri cautioned politicians against allowing partisan considerations to overshadow development initiatives, particularly during election seasons.
He argued that the consequences of politicising major infrastructure projects were ultimately borne by the people whose support politicians seek.
The governor maintained that the coastal highway should be assessed on its potential contribution to connectivity, economic growth and development across Nigeria’s coastal communities rather than dismissed solely because of the region’s challenging geography.
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