From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Government has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to resume and complete the long abandoned Bridge Project in Akenfa Community, a suburb of the state capital city, Yenagoa

The Deputy Governor, Sen.

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call while presiding over an enlarged meeting with representatives of the NDDC, community leaders of Akenfa Community and relevant government officials at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday.

The Deputy Governor has clarified that, although the state government decided to take over some neglected NDDC projects in the state, including the Polaku-Sabagreia Bridge, that of Akenfa was reverted back to the interventionist federal agency after a mutual discussion between the two parties.

Describing the Akenfa link-Bridge project as strategic and critical to pedestrians and vehicular movements in the oil-producing community, Senator Ewhrudjakpo informed that government officially communicated the re-handing over of the project to NDDC in a letter dated 10th March, 2025.

He empathized with the Akenfa community over the delay in the execution of the project, and urged the NDDC to expedite the process of completing it with a view to putting an end to commuting challenges facing the people.

His words: “The project has actually been sent back to the NDDC to handle. But the NDDC seems to be far away from the Akenfa Community. So they find it easier to come to us.

“We believe that the project has gone a long way. What is required to complete it may not be as much as what has gone in there.

“So, we felt that we should hàve this tripartite interaction to let the community know officially that the project is now in the hands of NDDC, and also to let the agency know that our community is agitated considering the long history of that project.”

Responding on behalf of the NDDC, the Bayelsa representative, Senator Deinyabofa Dimaro, said the Commission would review the entire project and have it captured in its 2026 budget for seamless execution.

Senator Dimaro, who promised to properly relate the issue to the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, however, requested relevant documents from the State Government regarding the reversion of the project back to the NDDC.

Representatives of Akenfa Community who spoke at the meeting included, former Chief of Staff Government House, Yenagoa, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, and a one-time paramount ruler of the community, Chief Isiya Albert.

Meanwhile, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has on behalf of the Governor constituted a tripartite contact committee involving the government, the NDDC and the Akenfa community to ensure the resumption and completion of the stalled Akenfa Bridge project.

Members of the committee include the state NDDC representative, Senator Deinyabofa Dimaro; the Commissioner for Special Duties (Central), Mandy Akpallo; and Chief Dikivie Ikiogha.

Others are the Technical Adviser to the Governor on NDDC Matters, Kuro Nyenye; Chief Isiya Albert; Secretary to the Akenfa Community, Wilson Mumeya, the Youth President, Moses Izibekiebo, as well as an engineer to be nominated by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has expressed sadness over a tragic accident involving a bus conveying some of participants who were returning from the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held at the Government House, Lokoja, on Wednesday.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the State government noted that the unfortunate accident, which occurred along the Lokoja–Okene road, claimed six lives.

According to Fanwo, 13 others sustained varying degrees of injuries, adding that they are currently receiving medical attention at different health facilities across the state.

“This tragedy has brought profound sorrow to the Government and people of Kogi State. We mourn deeply with the families of the deceased and extend our heartfelt condolences to them during this painful and devastating moment. The loss of any Kogite is a loss to us all, and we stand in solidarity with the affected families and communities. This is indeed a dark day in our history.

“His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has directed that the State Government take full responsibility for the medical care of all injured persons until they fully recover. Government officials have been deployed to the various hospitals to ensure that the victims receive the best possible treatment and to provide support to their families.

“Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones, as we consider this a state tragedy of devastating magnitude.”

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Four persons were reportedly dead on Wednesday when suspected bandits launched an attack on Irunda Ile Community in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd), who confirmed the incident to journalists in Lokoja, said the bandits invaded the community in the early hours of Wednesday and killed two vigilantes who confronted them.

He added that it was unfortunate that some youths, who were expected to support security agencies, acted otherwise.

“Security men were drafted to Yagba to chase the bandits away. Even those bandits occupying our mine site have been neutralised by the security men.

“Kogi State Government will not allow any criminals in the state. We are working very hard to ensure that Kogi State is safe for everyone.

“Some days ago, a helicopter was deployed to those areas, and we recorded major success. The bandits were neutralised by the security men.

“We are not going to rest until we are able to neutralise the bandits completely,” Omodara stated.

Shortly after the attack, tension rose as youths in the area took to the streets to protest the repeated bandit assaults.

According to eyewitnesses, when security operatives arrived at the village, the youths confronted them and demanded that they enter the bush to pursue the bandits.

A community leader, the Bobagunwa of Irunda Isanlu, Chief David Sunday, told our correspondent that two vigilantes were killed by the bandits.

He said when the police arrived, they were reluctant to pursue the attackers, which led to a confrontation with the youth.

“From there, they mistakenly killed two youths while others were hospitalised following the tear gas fired by the police.

“In all, four people were killed in our village this morning. Two vigilantes were killed by the bandits, and two other persons were mistakenly killed by the police,” he said.