Bayelsa Debunks Nembe-Brass Bridge Collapse Rumour, Says Road 85 Per Cent Complete

The Bayelsa State Government has debunked reports alleging the collapse of a bridge along the Nembe-Brass Road, assuring residents that construction remains ongoing and the project is progressing towards completion.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, gave the clarification during an inspection of the 21-kilometre road project on Friday, October 23, alongside government officials and journalists.

Teibowei said approximately 85 per cent of the work had been completed, leaving 15 per cent to be delivered before the project’s planned commissioning between March and April 2027.

He explained that construction activities were continuing at the site, including preparations for launching beams on the fifth and final bridge along the road corridor.

According to the commissioner, the contractor, Setraco Nigeria Limited, had scheduled the beam-launching operation for the following two weeks, with equipment already being assembled for the work.

The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, who participated in the inspection, also dismissed the reports of a bridge collapse, noting that workers remained active at the site.

She said the bridge under construction was the fifth and final one on the route and that work was progressing towards its completion.

The government maintained that the project was being executed in line with approved engineering designs and quality standards. Teibowei said construction materials were subjected to tests at the ministry’s quality control laboratory to ensure compliance with specifications.

The project’s area manager for Setraco in Bayelsa, Joajoa Cosme, confirmed that sand-cement stabilisation and the first layer of stone base had been completed across the 21-kilometre stretch. He added that the final box culvert had also been completed.

Cosme said the contractor was working towards the agreed delivery timeline and reported no funding challenges with the state government.

The Nembe-Brass Road is intended to improve access between riverine communities in Bayelsa East, strengthen connectivity and support economic activities in the area.

The state government said the project remained a priority under Governor Douye Diri’s administration, with construction continuing towards the scheduled commissioning in 2027.