Akenfa Bridge: Akpe Resolve Dispute, Urges Community To End Oil Facility Blockade

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, has urged the Akenfa Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area to suspend its protest and dismantle the blockade at the oil facility operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited over the non-completion of the Akenfa link bridge project.

Hotnews reports that Dr. Akpe made the appeal on Tuesday when he met with leaders of the community at the Government House in Yenagoa, assuring them that the state government would engage the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other stakeholders to facilitate the resumption and completion of the long-abandoned project.

The Deputy Governor sympathized with the community over the difficulties caused by the delay, but advised residents to pursue dialogue and lawful means of resolving their grievances rather than disrupting oil production activities.

He explained that the state government had officially handed over the bridge project to the NDDC in 2025 and pledged to personally contact the interventionist agency to ascertain its current status.

Dr. Akpe also expressed concern over the failure of a tripartite committee constituted last year to advance the project, noting that the matter had only recently been brought to his attention since assuming office.

Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, recalled that a meeting held on December 4 last year under the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, resulted in the constitution of a steering committee comprising representatives of the Akenfa Community, NDDC and the state government.

The committee was tasked with facilitating efforts towards the resumption of work on the bridge.

Earlier, the Paramount Ruler of Akenfa, HRH Godspower Thompson Obaya, and community stakeholder, Mr. Wilson Mumeya, attributed the latest protest to the hardship caused by the prolonged abandonment of the project, which they said commenced in 2010.

They expressed appreciation to Deputy Governor Akpe for intervening in the matter and expressed hope that the engagement would lead to the resumption and eventual completion of the Akenfa bridge project.

~ Hot News Reporters
Wednesday 23, September, 2026