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IJAW YOUTHS COUNCIL (IYC)
AKUGBENE-MEIN CLAN, BOMADI WESTERN ZONE HEADQUARTERS
Office of the Chairman
PRESS RELEASE
AN OPEN APPEAL FOR A JOINT INTERVENTION BY THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (NDDC) AND THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT TOWARDS THE URGENT COMPLETION OF THE ESANMA–GBAREGOLOR BRIDGE, BOMADI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE
Date: 04 August 2026
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Akugbene-Mein Clan, Bomadi Western Zone Headquarters, under the leadership of Comrade Dortimiyerin Godwin Okaba, respectfully calls on the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, to jointly prioritize and expedite the completion of the long-abandoned Esanma–Gbaregolor Bridge in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
This appeal is made in the overriding interest of our people and the sustainable development of the riverine communities of Delta State. We firmly believe that through strategic collaboration between the NDDC and the Delta State Government, this critical infrastructure can finally be completed and commissioned for public use.
The Esanma–Gbaregolor Bridge is far more than a construction project. It is a strategic economic corridor and an indispensable link connecting communities within Bomadi Local Government Area. It serves as a gateway for agricultural production, commercial activities, education, healthcare delivery, security operations, and social integration. Its prolonged abandonment has continued to inflict severe hardship on thousands of law-abiding citizens whose daily lives depend on this vital route.
For years, residents have endured avoidable suffering. Farmers are unable to transport their produce efficiently to markets, leading to post-harvest losses and reduced incomes. Traders and business owners incur unnecessary transportation costs, while students face daily challenges in accessing schools. Pregnant women, the elderly, and critically ill patients are often delayed in reaching medical facilities, placing lives at unnecessary risk. Security agencies equally encounter operational difficulties due to poor accessibility, thereby exposing communities to greater vulnerability.
These challenges have significantly slowed economic growth, discouraged investment, and widened the developmental gap between our communities and other parts of the state. This reality is inconsistent with the collective vision of inclusive development and shared prosperity for all Deltans.
The Ijaw Youth Council sincerely commends the remarkable developmental efforts of the Niger Delta Development Commission under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, particularly the renewed focus on impactful infrastructure and community-driven projects across the Niger Delta. We also acknowledge the commitment of the Delta State Government under the visionary leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, whose MORE Agenda continues to prioritize meaningful infrastructure, inclusive governance, and sustainable development.
It is because of these demonstrated commitments that we are optimistic that both institutions will give urgent attention to the completion of the Esanma–Gbaregolor Bridge through a coordinated partnership that reflects their shared dedication to improving the lives of the people.
We respectfully urge the Managing Director of the NDDC to prioritize adequate funding, effective supervision, and accelerated execution of the project in line with the Commission’s statutory mandate of delivering transformational infrastructure throughout the Niger Delta.
We equally appeal to His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, to work closely with the NDDC by providing every necessary institutional support and intergovernmental collaboration required to ensure that this project is completed without any further delay.
The completion of the Esanma–Gbaregolor Bridge will deliver immediate and long-term benefits, including:
* Restoration of safe and reliable transportation for thousands of residents.
* Improved movement of agricultural produce and stimulation of local commerce.
* Easier access to schools, hospitals, and other essential public services.
* Enhanced security response and emergency services within the riverine communities.
* Increased investment opportunities and socio-economic development across Bomadi Local Government Area.
* Greater integration of riverine communities into the mainstream economy of Delta State.
Beyond concrete and steel, this bridge represents hope, opportunity, and government responsiveness. Completing it will reaffirm the confidence of our people in public institutions and demonstrate that no community is too remote to benefit from the dividends of democracy.
The Ijaw Youth Council remains committed to constructive engagement, peaceful advocacy, and productive partnership with governments at all levels. Our appeal is non-partisan, sincere, and motivated solely by the collective welfare of our people and the sustainable development of the Niger Delta.
We therefore respectfully call on both the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Delta State Government to seize this opportunity to write a new chapter in the history of Bomadi Local Government Area by ensuring the immediate completion and commissioning of the Esanma–Gbaregolor Bridge.
CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION
Accordingly, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Akugbene-Mein Clan, Bomadi Western Zone Headquarters, respectfully requests that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Delta State Government jointly constitute a high-level technical assessment team to undertake an immediate inspection of the Esanma–Gbaregolor Bridge. Such a visit will provide stakeholders with a firsthand understanding of the bridge’s current condition, the scale of hardship being experienced by residents, and the urgency of completing this strategic infrastructure.
We further appeal for a clear implementation roadmap that outlines the project’s current status, funding commitments, timeline for completion, and expected date of commissioning. Transparency and regular communication on the progress of the project will strengthen public confidence and reaffirm the commitment of government to accountable and people-centred development.
The Ijaw Youth Council stands ready to work constructively with the NDDC, the Delta State Government, traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful completion and protection of this project. We are confident that through sincere collaboration and political will, the Esanma–Gbaregolor Bridge can become a lasting symbol of progress, unity, and inclusive development in the Niger Delta.
History will remember leaders not only for the promises they made but for the lives they transformed through decisive action. We therefore respectfully urge Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, to seize this opportunity to restore hope to thousands of citizens by ensuring that this long-awaited bridge is completed without further delay.
The people of Esanma, Gbaregolor, Ezebiri, Ogodobiri, Okoloba, Akugbene, Ogbein-Ama, and the entire Delta Ijaw Nation deserve safe roads, reliable bridges, and equitable access to development. We hope that this appeal will receive the appropriate urgent attention it deserves.
Together, let us build not just a bridge of concrete and steel, but a bridge of opportunity, prosperity, and lasting development for present and future generations.
The time to act is now. The people have waited long enough.
Signed
Comrade Dortimiyerin Godwin Okaba
Chairman
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)
Akugbene-Mein Clan
Bomadi Western Zone Headquarters
Comrade Abada Israel Abada
Information Officer
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)
Akugbene-Mein Clan
Bomadi Western Zone Headquarters
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MEDIA CONTACT
Office of the Information Officer
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)
Akugbene-Mein Clan
Bomadi Western Zone Headquarters
+234 701 881 8960
+234 806 666 6226
#FixEsanmaGbaregolorBridge
