Stakeholders are excited over the 1.2km Kaa-Ataba road and bridge project completed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Rivers State.
The bridge, described as the longest in the Niger Delta and one of the longest in the country, was completed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Dr Samuel Ogbuku leading the NDDC’s management and board.
While the main bridge measures about 1.2km, the dual-lane roads leading to it, including two other bridges, are said to measure 2km.
Stakeholders said the bridge is particularly significant because it connects many communities hitherto separated by waterways and difficult terrain, creating easier access between the Ogoni and Andoni areas of the state.
The bridge, located in Kaa, Khana Local Government Area of the state, was said to be ready and could be inaugurated by President Tinubu as part of activities heralding the presidential election campaign inauguration scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
Residents of Ataba and other surrounding communities were particularly excited about the planned inauguration because the bridge ended their years of heavy reliance on boats to access other mainland communities, along with the dangers of pirate attacks and boat accidents.
It was gathered that the bridge was also expected to provide additional access to Bonny Island, complementing the Bonny-Bodo Road, which President Tinubu’s administration also completed.
It was also learnt that the bridge would improve agriculture and commerce by enabling movement of farm products and other goods from the riverine areas to the metropolis, thereby reducing the cost of living.
Residents were also excited that the bridge would make it easier to get to hospitals, schools, and worship centres.
Community leaders and stakeholders in Ataba Kingdom, who spoke about the major infrastructure, hailed Tinubu and the NDDC for constructing the bridge.
They described it as a historic intervention that had ended decades of isolation and hardship in the riverine communities.
They commended Tinubu and the NDDC Board and Management for delivering the infrastructure, which they said had fulfilled a longstanding aspiration of the people.
The Head Chief of Ogogo Village, Chief John Ekwang, said residents were overwhelmed with joy over the bridge, which he described as the longest in the Niger Delta.
Ekwang recalled that for decades, Ataba and neighbouring communities depended on wooden boats to access mainland markets, schools and hospitals, exposing residents to danger and causing loss of life, farm produce and economic opportunities.
He said: ‘For many years, we cried for this bridge. Our children risked their lives crossing the river to go to school. Our women lost their fish and farm produce because there was no road. Today, NDDC has wiped our tears. This is the first time government has truly remembered us.
He assured the commission of the community’s support and cooperation, pledging to mobilise youths to protect the infrastructure against vandalism.
The Chairman of the Ataba Elders Forum, Mr ThankGod Egart, said the bridge would improve the socio-economic fortunes of Andoni people by reducing transportation costs, boosting trade and enhancing security.
‘We have buried people waiting for boats. We have lost perishable goods. With this bridge, our children can now go to school and return safely. Our fish will reach Port Harcourt and Bori fresh. We thank President Bola Tinubu and the NDDC Board and Management for giving us this hope,’ Egart said.
A trader, Mr George Okop, said the project had renewed hope for people engaged in the fishing business, as it would eliminate the need for expensive ice and costly boat transportation to preserve and convey their products.
A school teacher from Ataba, Mrs Sarah Johnson, said travelling from the community to Port Harcourt had been difficult, with residents sometimes waiting for about two hours to secure boat transportation across the river to Kaa.
She thanked the NDDC for constructing the bridge, expressing optimism that it would end transportation difficulties and improve residents’ livelihoods.
It was gathered that the President planned to personally inaugurate the project as part of the activities marking the presidential campaign rally scheduled for Port Harcourt on Saturday.