Fubara Inaugurates 14.5km Agba-Ndele Road, 240m Bridge

PORT HARCOURT— Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday commissioned the 14.5-kilometre Agba-Ndele Road and a 239.4-metre bridge linking communities in Emohua and Abua-Odual Local Government Areas of the state.

Fubara, who spoke at the commissioning ceremony at Elegedi Junction, Agba-Ndele, said the projects were designed to improve connectivity, ease transportation and open up the area for increased economic activities.

He said the road and bridge would provide an alternative route for residents and improve access between the affected communities and the East-West Road.

The governor explained that the bridge was initiated before his administration but was completed by his government because of its importance to the people.

He said the road was subsequently developed because the bridge would have limited value without an accessible road connecting it to surrounding communities.

“When you see something that will benefit the people, it doesn’t matter who started it. What is important is you complete it and put it to use,” Fubara said.

The governor said the project would ease the difficulties faced by residents using the old Abua Road and improve movement of people and goods across the area.

“I can beat my chest this afternoon to say, the value of this project cannot be overrated. It is something that had come at the right time, when our people from Abua, our people from this other side of Ahoada are having difficulties on the old Abua road,” he said.

Fubara said the infrastructure would also contribute to reducing criminal activities by improving accessibility and opening up previously difficult-to-reach communities.

“I am not interested in just doing anything. I am interested in doing something that adds value and changes the lives of our people,” the governor said.

He commended the people of Ndele for their cooperation with the contractor during the execution of the project and urged residents, youth groups and traditional rulers to take ownership of the infrastructure and protect it from vandalism.

Fubara specifically appealed to the chairmen of Emohua and Abua-Odual Local Government Areas to take responsibility for protecting the projects located in their domains.

The governor said government had the responsibility to provide infrastructure, while communities had a corresponding responsibility to protect public assets.

“Government can build, but the people must protect,” he said, warning that vandalism and destruction of public infrastructure would waste public resources and set communities back.

The governor, who was visibly moved by the large turnout and warm reception at the ceremony, thanked the people for their support, describing the gathering as evidence of their “genuine love” for him.

He assured the people that he would continue to appreciate their support and serve the state with commitment “till my last day in office.”

The Rivers Commissioner for Works, Prof. Temple Nwofor, said the road measured 14.5 kilometres, with a 10.3-metre binder-course width, a 7.3-metre wearing-course width and three-metre shoulders.

Nwofor said the drainage section measured 0.6 metres by 0.6 metres, while the bridge comprised a 239.4-metre structure with a width of 10.3 metres and 1.5-metre walkways on both sides. He added that the project also included a 1.2-kilometre access road.

The bridge, which links Agba-Ndele in Emohua with communities in Abua-Odual, is expected to improve movement of agricultural produce, facilitate access to markets and strengthen economic activities along the corridor.

Fubara had earlier inspected the project in November 2025 and expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the road section, while commending the contractor handling the bridge for its progress. He subsequently said the road contract might require review to ensure value for public funds.

Fubara Inaugurates 14.5km Agba-Ndele Road, 240m Bridge