Bayelsa Coastal Communities Celebrate Take-Off of Ndoro–Peretorugbene Road Project

Excitement is spreading across riverine communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as work finally begins on the long-awaited Ndoro–Peretorugbene Road.

For decades, residents had relied solely on waterways to access the outside world, with no connecting road infrastructure. Last Friday, Governor Douye Diri visited the project site and directed the Ministry of Works and the contractors to accelerate sand-filling and construction. The road, cutting through vast mangrove swamps, will link several fishing settlements and ports in the area.

Communities vow to protect the project
A community elder, Pa Ebikeye, pledged full support for the initiative:

“We will do everything in our power to protect the project, the personnel on the ground, and their equipment. We cannot afford to jeopardize this chance to change our lives for the better. We will work together to ensure the project’s success, for the benefit of our children and our future.”

‘A dream come true’
For indigenes like Thomas Miene, the project is nothing short of transformational.

“The project is a dream come true for our people who have been waiting for ages for this vital infrastructure. Despite being in an oil-producing region, we’ve suffered neglect. Lack of infrastructure has crippled economic growth, forcing us to rely on dangerous creeks and waterways.”

Local resident John Ebika also described the road as “a game-changer,” noting that it will improve access to markets, social services, and economic opportunities. He urged the contractors—Pelfaco, responsible for sand-filling, and Lubrik Construction Company, handling the main works—to stay on track.

Government’s commitment
Governor Diri explained that the first phase aims to connect Ndoro with a spur to Peretorugbene.

“If we can achieve that within the life of this government, the next administration will complete the rest,” he said.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, expressed confidence in the project’s two-year completion timeline. He disclosed that in addition to the roadworks, an 80-metre bridge to Ndoro and a 150-metre bridge to Peretorugbene will be built.

Contractors promise timely delivery
Mr. Kazeem Ajala of Pelfaco Limited assured residents that clearing and sand-filling would be completed by April 2026, with a sand height of 2.4 metres to mitigate flooding risks.

“With the adequate funding provided by the state government, we are fully prepared to deliver according to specification,” he added.

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