Residents Seek Wider Economic Benefits, Better Access to Nembe-Brass Road

Construction of the long-awaited Nembe-Brass Road in Bayelsa State has rekindled hopes of improved transportation, job creation and economic development among residents of the riverine communities.

An inspection of the project by members of the Federated Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, showed ongoing construction activities, including earthworks, bridge construction and other major engineering works along the corridor.

The route has also advanced towards the St Nicholas River and the coastal axis.

The first phase, covering about 21 kilometres, is expected to be substantially completed around December 2026, subject to funding, construction pace and the difficult riverine terrain.

For HRH King Theophilus Moses, the Kenibara VII and Amadabo of Moko-Ama in the Sangana/Akassa area of Brass Local Government Area, the road is not merely a transportation project but a potential economic game changer.

He said the road could open up the marine economy of the area, attract businesses and create employment opportunities.

According to him, the development of supporting marine infrastructure could also position Brass as a possible berthing and refuelling centre for vessels operating in the Atlantic corridor.

He further linked increased employment opportunities to improved security, saying economic empowerment could help reduce sea piracy and other criminal activities in the waterways.

However, an indigene of Sangana, Ayibatonye Koki, expressed concern that communities in the Sangana/Akassa axis might not benefit significantly from the road if they remain poorly connected to the main corridor.

Koki said residents still face high transportation costs in getting to Brass, despite its proximity, because of the waterways separating the communities.

He advocated consideration of the Oporoma Road axis as an alternative route for connecting Sangana and Akassa, arguing that it could require smaller bridges and be less expensive than crossing major rivers on the Brass axis.

“It is a very good development to the people of Bayelsa East,” he said, while urging the government to consider communities that may remain excluded from the benefits of the project.

Similarly, Janet Tuomote, an indigene of Nembe, said the road would create opportunities for employment and business expansion.

She also expressed optimism that improved accessibility would strengthen security operations and help reduce kidnapping and sea piracy in the area.

The Nembe-Brass Road has a long history, with plans for the project predating the present administration. Previous attempts to execute it were repeatedly stalled by funding challenges, difficult terrain and security concerns.