Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday inaugurated the 6.72km Agbura–Oxbow Lake Road and a referral hospital in Oporoma, Bayelsa State.
The Agbura–Oxbow Lake Road is expected to serve as a bypass for residents of Agbura and other Ogbia communities, while also linking Nembe and surrounding areas from the busy Swali Market axis.
Inaugurating the road, Osinbajo thanked Governor Douye Diri for the invitation to commission the project, noting that it was rare in politics for leaders to fulfil their promises.
He described Diri as a “straightforward person who keeps to his word.”
“I was here four years ago for the groundbreaking, but today the project has been actualised. This is a man of his words,” he said.
Osinbajo said the road is significant to the people of the area as it provides access to the Federal University, Otuoke, and Oloibiri, where oil was first discovered in large quantities.
“This road connects many communities and even the state capital. I want to thank Governor Diri for making life easier for the people of Bayelsa,” he said.
Governor Douye Diri, in his remarks, appreciated Osinbajo and the people of Bayelsa for honouring the invitation.
“You honoured us during the groundbreaking in 2022 as Vice President, and today you are here to commission another road project,” he said.
Diri said development must be felt in every part of the state, adding that “there is nothing like difficult terrain; we must confront it squarely.”
He also commended the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu for its support to Bayelsa and the country at large, as well as contractors and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for completing the project.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, said the Agbura–Oxbow Lake single carriageway comprises a 6.72km stretch, 7.3-metre two-layer asphalt binder course, and 2.35-metre shoulders on both sides.
He added that it includes one kilometre of drainage on either side in the development areas.
Teibowei said the newly completed bypass would provide easier and shorter access to the Swali Ultra-Modern Market, reduce travel time, ease traffic congestion, and boost commercial activities for residents of Agbura and other Ogbia communities.
He added that the road is expected to significantly enhance economic development in the area.
