By Emmanuel Ukudolo I Wednesday, January 07.26
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — For over a decade, the promise of a bridge connecting the bustling waterfronts of Port Harcourt to the historic hub of Okrika has remained largely a blueprint, stalled by the shifting sands of Nigerian politics and erratic funding. But this week, officials signaled that one of the Niger Delta’s most ambitious infrastructure “legacy projects” is finally moving toward the finish line.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) announced on Wednesday that it would begin immediate compensation payments to residents of the Ibifaka Polo community in Borikiri. The move is intended to clear the right-of-way for the Borikiri-Okrika Bridge, a massive engineering undertaking comprising three distinct spans across the region’s winding waterways.
”This project has suffered delays because of frequent changes in administration and funding challenges,” said Alabo Boma Iyaye, the NDDC’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, during an inspection of the Borikiri alignment. “Upon the inauguration of the current board, we prioritized completing this significant project, viewing it as a legacy project.”
The project, originally awarded in 2012, consists of a sophisticated network of crossings: the 180-meter Kolabi Bridge, the sprawling 1,120-meter Abotoru Bridge, and the 490-meter Okpoka Bridge.
While construction on the Okrika side has seen “considerable progress,” the Port Harcourt end at Borikiri has remained a bottleneck, largely due to the complexities of relocating residents and businesses.
For the people of Ibifaka Polo, the announcement brings a mix of relief and anticipation. The bridge represents more than just steel and concrete; it is a vital artery intended to unlock socio-economic potential in a region often defined by its vast oil wealth but marred by infrastructure deficits.
”We are certain that once this project is completed, it will attract socio-economic development to our community,” said Precious Tobin George, the local youth president.
The push to finish the bridge comes amid a renewed infrastructure drive by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Mr. Iyaye attributed the project’s recent momentum to the “goodwill” of the presidency, noting that contractors were remobilized to the site last year.
At the palace of King Berechiri Wilfred Yemaiyaye, the Amayanabo of Ancient Borikiri Kingdom, the mood was one of cautious optimism.
The monarch thanked the commission for “remembering” the kingdom, expressing hope that the bridge would be the first of many development efforts to reach the waterfront communities.
Engineers on-site noted that community acceptance has been high, a rarity in a region where infrastructure projects are sometimes met with local friction.
“This will bring the desired development these communities require,” said Engr. Azu Chukwuma, the project consultant.
With the compensation modalities now being finalized, the NDDC expects work on the Borikiri side to commence “with immediate effect,” finally bridging a gap that has separated these two communities for generations.
