Yemi Osinbajo on Monday commissioned the Agbura–Oxbow Lake Road and the Oporoma Referral Hospital in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, marking a significant milestone in the region’s infrastructure development.
The former vice president’s visit comes years after he was invited by Governor Douye Diri in 2022 to officially flag off the construction of the 630-metre Angiama–Oporoma Bridge across the River Nun—an ambitious project aimed at linking the headquarters of Southern Ijaw by road.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Agbura–Oxbow Lake Road, Osinbajo commended the governor for following through on projects that directly impact residents’ lives. He recalled his initial doubts about the feasibility of the bridge project, given the challenging terrain at the time.
“Just as His Excellency has said, I was here about four years ago to do the groundbreaking for the Angiama–Oporoma bridge. We travelled through the forest, and when he said there was going to be a bridge here, I seriously had my doubts because it was just all forests that we saw that day. We were driving and driving and driving, what seemed to be an endless road.
“But we thank God that not only has he proved to be a man of his word, that bridge stands there today, and just as has been said, I will have the pleasure of confirming that the bridge is there.
“This particular enterprise that we are now about to commission is very special in many ways. As we’ve heard, not only does it open up Agbura, Swali, and other communities in the Yenagoa Local Government Area, it also opens up the Ogbia axis, where you have the Federal University in Otueke and Oloibiri, which is the place where oil was first discovered.
“So it has very important historic connotations as well. In addition to that, it connects several government facilities, including the NCDMB Towers, the Federal Secretariat, and the CBN headquarters here in Bayelsa State.
“So it’s a very, very important road indeed. I am happy and very honoured to be the one who will commission this special road.”
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Diri reflected on the early stages of the project, noting that he had personally invited Osinbajo to initiate the work despite the difficult landscape. He emphasized that the construction phase created employment opportunities for hundreds of youths from nearby communities.
He also highlighted the broader economic benefits of the project, pointing to improved transportation and increased access to riverine areas along the Yenagoa–Oporoma–Ukubie corridor.
“When recently President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, made that historic visit to Bayelsa State to inaugurate the bridge, Prof. Osinbajo wanted to be part of the trip but he was said to be out of the country.
“Today, the man who flagged off the project, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is here to witness the transformation and the reality that the Angiama–Oporoma bridge is now standing after his last visit four years ago. Once again, congratulations to all Bayelsans for this milestone.”
The commissioning of both the road and hospital is expected to enhance connectivity, healthcare access, and economic growth across the region.
