Welcome to Bayelsa State, a captivating destination nestled in the heart of Nigeria. From its rich history and prominent leaders to its abundant oil production and breathtaking landmarks, this enchanting state offers a tapestry of experiences for every adventurer. In this article, we will delve into the intriguing history of Bayelsa, its current leaders, notable personalities, thriving oil production, diverse mineral resources, burgeoning population, iconic landmarks, and esteemed educational institutions. So, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on an unforgettable journey through the wonders of Bayelsa State!
1. The Rich Tapestry of History
Bayelsa State is steeped in a captivating history that dates back centuries. Originally part of the old Rivers State, it gained statehood on October 1, 1996, during the administration of the late General Sani Abacha. This state was carved out of the old Rivers State to accommodate the Ijaw-speaking ethnic groups, who predominantly inhabit the region. With a fascinating blend of traditions, cultural heritage, and historic landmarks, Bayelsa serves as a testament to Nigeria’s diverse history.
2. Visionary Leaders Shaping Bayelsa’s Future
Bayelsa State is fortunate to have visionary leaders who are dedicated to the progress and development of the region. At the helm is Governor Douye Diri, an astute politician with a passion for transforming the state. Under his leadership, Bayelsa has witnessed remarkable growth, with numerous initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and overall quality of life. Governor Diri’s commitment to the welfare of the people has earned him admiration and support from both within and outside the state.
3. Notable Personalities from Bayelsa State
Bayelsa State boasts a rich tapestry of notable personalities who have made indelible contributions to various fields. One such luminary is Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the former President of Nigeria, who hails from Otuoke in Bayelsa. His leadership and diplomatic prowess brought global recognition to Nigeria and paved the way for socio-economic advancements. Another distinguished personality is Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former Governor of Bayelsa, who played a vital role in shaping the state’s development. These exceptional individuals, along with many others, continue to inspire and influence Bayelsa’s future generations.
4. Fueling Nigeria’s Economy: Oil Production in Bayelsa
Bayelsa State holds a significant position in Nigeria’s oil production landscape. Blessed with abundant oil reserves, the region contributes significantly to the country’s economy. The Niger Delta region, where Bayelsa is located, is renowned for its oil-rich deposits, making it a hub for exploration and production activities. The state’s robust oil industry provides employment opportunities and drives economic growth, making Bayelsa a vital player in Nigeria’s energy sector.
5. Unveiling Bayelsa’s Diverse Mineral Resources
Beyond its flourishing oil industry, Bayelsa State boasts a wide array of mineral resources. These resources include natural gas, limestone, clay, glass sand, and lignite, among others. The abundance of these minerals presents immense opportunities for investment and economic diversification. With proper harnessing and sustainable practices, Bayelsa’s mineral resources can be instrumental in driving the state’s development and transforming it into a thriving economic powerhouse.
6. A Melting Pot of Cultures: Bayelsa’s Vibrant Population
Bayelsa State is home to a vibrant and diverse population. The Ijaw people form the majority, with their unique customs, languages, and cultural heritage shaping the state’s identity. Additionally, other ethnic groups such
as the Ogbia, Nembe, and Epie-Atissa contribute to the cultural fabric of Bayelsa. This melting pot of cultures creates a dynamic environment where traditions are celebrated, and cultural exchange thrives.
7. Landmarks that Take Your Breath Away
Bayelsa State boasts an awe-inspiring collection of landmarks that captivate the imagination of both locals and tourists alike. One such gem is the beautiful Ox-Bow Lake in Yenagoa, a natural wonder formed by the meandering of the Orashi River. The Nembe Kingdom, with its rich historical artifacts and vibrant festivals, offers a glimpse into the region’s past. The Isaac Boro Garden Park, named after a renowned freedom fighter, provides a serene escape from the bustling city life. These landmarks, among others, showcase the natural beauty and historical significance of Bayelsa State.
8. Shaping the Future: Educational Institutions in Bayelsa
Bayelsa State is committed to providing quality education to its residents. The state is home to several esteemed educational institutions that nurture young minds and equip them for a bright future. One such institution is the Niger Delta University, located in Wilberforce Island, which offers a wide range of courses and has gained recognition for its academic excellence. The Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science and the Bayelsa State College of Education are also prominent institutions dedicated to imparting knowledge and fostering intellectual growth.
The ljaws of the Niger Delta area were included as one of the ten main ethnic groups with a population of 0.9 million in the 1952 Census Report. They were given their own province during the colonial era. Minority ethnic groups began toagitate for their own state made up of the former Brass, Degema, and Western ljaw Divisions under the auspices of the ljaw National Group after the union of the Southern and Northern Protectorates in 1914 sparked fears of political dominance. With the chiefs of several coastal villages, particularly the Ijaws, Britain signed a number of treaties of protection during the colonial era in the hopes that they would be given their own nation state upon Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
Many nationalist groups were founded between 1941 and 1956, mostly to promote Ljaw political autonomy. They prompted the Willink Commission in 1958 to consider the topic of distinct political sovereignty. The Willink Commission advocated the creation of the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) to address the issues of underdevelopment of the region, environmental neglect, and political dominance in order to soothe the anxieties of the ethnic minority. Despite the Board’s founding, the movement for the construction of a state on the basis of the aforementioned issues persisted until civilian government in Nigeria was overthrown by the military on January 15, 1966.
A “Niger Delta Peoples Republic” was unilaterally declared in February 1966 by Isaac Boro, a ljaw man from Kaiama town in Bayelsa State, together with Sam Owonaro, Nottingham Dick, and hundreds of their sympathizers. However, the Federal Government abruptly put a halt to the uprising. The current Rivers and Bayelsa States were formed from the former Rivers State, which was established on May 27, 1967.
The ljaws’ agitation for a separate State persisted, and some of the justifications provided included: environmental destruction brought on by oil exploration and exploitation; continuous disregard for the region’s economic progress; political marginalization, etc. With little infrastructure or amenities for growth, the region is now among the least developed in the nation.
Administrative Areas
The state’s three local governments at the time were Brass, Yenagoa, and Sagbama. The names of the three LGAs are combined to create the name Bayelsa. Prior to December 28, 1999, when the state’s first executive civilian governor established an extra twenty-four LGAs, Bayelsa State only had eight LGAs. The state contains a number of cities and villages where local resources are mobilized and an indigenous governmental structure is established.
Administrative Structure
The Executive Council, the Legislature, and the Judiciary are the three branches of government in Bayelsa State. The Governor, Deputy Governor, Commissioners, Special Advisers, and Secretary to the State Government make up the Executive Council. The permanent secretaries are in charge of managing day-to-day operations in their respective ministries, while the commissioners serve as the accounting officials for each of the ministries.
The formation and management of a few important state government economic sectors is the responsibility of the parastatals, which are unique government entities. The Deputy Governor has control over them. The governor has special advisers on matters such as education, specific responsibilities, information sharing, community affairs, etc.
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly, which is comprised of elected members, is the state’s legislative body. The chairman of all sessions is the Speaker of the House. The state’s judicial system is in charge of interpreting the law. The state’s top judge serves as its leader. The local government of the state is the second layer of government.
The state was further split into thirty-two LGAs on December 20, 1999. A chairman chosen by the administration and legislature serves as the head of each LGA. The LGA is the local level of government since it is closest to the populace. Every town in the state has a traditional leader, and the most popular senior citizen leads the State Council of Chiefs. Traditional institutions follow a hierarchical structure.
PHYSICAL SETTING
Geographically, the state is situated between latitudes 4°15′ North and 5°23′ South. Additionally, it is between longitudes 6°45′ East and 5°22′ West. The state is bordered on the north by Delta State, on the east by Rivers State, and on the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean.
Geology: The lower delta plain that Bayelsa State is a part of is thought to have originated during the Holocene of the quaternary era as a result of the buildup of sedimentary deposits. Sedimentary alluvium is the state’s main geological feature. Due to the many River Niger tributaries in this plain and the fact that the whole state is made up of abandoned beach ridges, significant geological changes are still present everywhere.
The two main kinds of soil in the state are acid sulphate soils (Sulphaquepts) and young, shallow, poorly drained soils (inceptisol Aquepts). The soils of Bayelsa State vary; certain soil types cover large regions while others only cover little areas. However, a number of soil units might be distinguished in the state based on physiographic variations. These consist of:
the soils of the high-lying levees, such as sands, sandy loam, loamy sandy soils, and silty loamy soils;
soils with a somewhat fine texture, such as red silty or clay loamy soils, that are found in low-lying areas;
The soils of the meander belt only slightly vary from the soils of the levels.
The soils in the beds of dried-up creeks and streams make up the silted river belt, such as peat for clay water-logged soils.
soils in basins, such as sandy or silky clay loam, that are submerged under water for the most of the year;
The soils in the transition zone, such as silt and sandy silt, are known to be affected daily by tidal floods and fresh waters. Potash deficit is present in certain areas, particularly in sandy soils. The majority of soils have a medium to fine grain texture.
Relief: Generally speaking, Bayelsa State is a lowland state with flood plains, beach ridge barriers, and tidal flats and coastal beaches. The state’s predominant relief characteristics are net features like cliffs and lagoons. A low-lying relief is suggested by the state’s location between the upper and lower Delta plains of the Niger Delta. The wide plain has a modest slope. Downstream, there is a drop in elevation or height. In the United States, there are several streams with a range of volumes and speeds. These include the Rivers Nun, Ekoli, Brass, Koluama, and so on.
Climate and vegetation: The amount of rainfall in Bayelsa State varies from place to place. The majority of the state has an equatorial climate, with tropical rains occurring in the northern regions. Every month of the year, rain falls heavily on average.
High rainfall is seen throughout the state, however the amount decreases from south to north. The state’s Akassa town holds Nigeria’s record for most rainfall. It has a tropical climate, with rainy and dry seasons. There is enough rainfall to support year-round agricultural cultivation. There are at least 340 days in the wet season.
The average monthly temperature is between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius. Average monthly highs vary from 26 to 31 degrees Celsius. For the whole of Bayelsa State, the mean annual temperature remains constant. December through April are the warmest months. On average, there is a 2°C variation in temperature between the rainy and dry seasons. The state has high relative humidity all year round, with a modest drop during the dry season.
The vegetation of Bayelsa State is divided into four ecological logical zones, same like that of every other state in the Niger Delta. These include lowland rain forests, mangrove forests, freshwater swamp forests, and coastal barrier island forests. These numerous plant species are a component of the intricate ecosystems of the Niger Delta and are connected to the many soil types in the region. Several vulnerable and even endangered plant and animal species may be found in the state’s freshwater swamp forests.
Mangrove forests and coastal barrier highland forests are also present. The narrow ridges along the shore are the only places where coastal barrier highland forest flora may be found. Fresh water plants that can withstand low salinity make up this vegetation belt. Mangroves of the genus Avicinia sometimes predominate in this area.
The most common species are palms like Phoenix reclivata and others like Uapacia, Xylopia, and land Taminalia. Commercial wood species may be found in this zone. Typically, the state’s mangrove vegetation may be found between mid-tide relief levels and severe high-water marks. This vegetation is connected to the brackish marshes, which create a network of waterways and hills that are subject to tidal fluctuations.
Environmental issues: Bayelsa State is one of the states in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. “A region of physical handicap which is unlikely ever to be highly developed” has been said about this area. The area is a low-lying plain crisscrossed by a complex network of waterways where the Niger empties into the ocean. The state’s very inhospitable topography restricts the growth or extension of settlements, accessibility to settlement locations, and the exploitation of natural resources.
Natural circumstances and other ecological possibilities strongly influence human activity. Due to these unfavorable natural circumstances, most people only fish for a living. In Bayelsa, where there is a lot of rainfall and extended wet days, there is already too much surface water. For the use of land and for human habitation, this presents significant issues. Almost the whole state is submerged at some point throughout the year. Prolonged and devastating flooding is correlated with heavy rainfall, long wet days, permeable soils, and highly sandy soils. These flooding occurrences cause rivers in the state to change courses often, making them unusable as effective transit routes.
They also have a significant impact on how people live and do business in the state. Highlands may be utilized as habitation locations and for very restricted agricultural techniques since they are dry throughout the year. Due to inadequate development of the state’s roads and waterways, inter-settlement movements have been impeded. The cities and villages’ internal roadways are the ones that are accessible.
There are hardly any inter-town connections. The state’s geography makes it challenging to construct land-based transportation, necessitating the use of sophisticated and expensive technology. Water transport, which also faces significant challenges, is the only mode of interstate travel. The geography of the area also restricts the use of the region’s forest resources. Flooding, coastal erosion, and pollution are the state’s three main ecological issues.
Population, people, and settlement
The ljaw ethnic group, which speaks the ljaw language, dominates Bayelsa State in terms of ethnic composition, languages, culture, and the arts. Along with Tamu, Mein, Jobu, Oyariri, and Tarakiri, there are more Ljaw dialects. Other ethnic groups, including the Urhobo and Isoko, are concentrated in certain areas. In certain locations, there exist regional dialects. Epie, Atisa, Nembe, and Ogbia are some important languages spoken in the State. The two primary faiths in the State are Christianity and traditional religion. The people’s distinctive costumes, celebrations, culinary practices, arts and crafts, folklore, and dance are examples of how their culture is represented. These set the population apart from other ethnic groupings. Making ceramics, baskets, mats, and fish nets and fish traps are some of the most popular crafts. The State has a booming cane furniture sector.
Population Structure and Distribution: According to the 1991 Nigerian census, Bayelsa State had a total population of 1,121,693, which was dispersed throughout the eight local government units at the time. 584,117 or 52.1% of the population were men, and 537,576 or 47.9% were women. The state’s population distribution pattern is highlighted by the geographical limitations imposed by factors such as the scarcity of suitable dry ground for communities and agricultural activities, the substantial mangrove swamps, excessive rainfall, protracted and severe floods, and stream erosion. The “floating” communities of villages and towns are lightly populated. Population density varies significantly amongst LGAs, with Southern ljaw having the highest concentration (23.8%), Ogbia having the second-highest (14.2%), Ekeremor having the lowest (9.3%), and Kolokuma/Opukuma LGA having the lowest (6.0%). Inter-ethnic movement has been restricted on a national level in the State due to geographical challenges, lack of infrastructure, and environmental deterioration. There aren’t many migrants; the majority are oil palm and raffia palm tapers. However, the establishment of Bayelsa State has made the state more accessible to Yoruba, lgbo, and Hausa merchants.
As was previously mentioned, Bayelsa State is one of the least developed states in Nigeria. As a result, some ministries have yet to find adequate space for offices and for housing key staff; no settlement or LGA is served by the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), and only a gas turbine supplies power to parts of Yenagoa; portable water is nowhere to be found in the state; small-scale industries are prevalent; and Bayelsa State is one of the least developed states in the country. The settlement pattern and natural limitations are to blame for the state’s low level of development. The state of Bayelsa is made up of a large number of rural communities that are dispersed and cut off from one another. In “Urban villages” such Ogbia, Oloibiri, Ogbolomabiri, Bassambiri, Okpuama, Twon-Brass, and Nembe, 25% of the state’s population resides. Yenagoa, Ofoni, Odi, Kaiama, Amassoma, Oporoma, Olugbobiri, and Ekeremor are further significant towns.
Each of these towns has a population of over 10,000 people, and thanks to the recently established local government regions, they are now all local government headquarters. Only 280,280 people out of a total population of 1,121,493 reside in urban areas, contributing to the very low urbanization index of 0.25. However, Nembe (0.47) and Yenagoa (0.43) have fairly high urbanization indices, whereas southern ljaw (0.17) has the lowest. Levees, islands, and dry land sections are used to construct settlements.
Building access roads to connect neighboring towns is impractical due to the challenging terrain, which limits human economic activity and land usage. The majority of rural communities are “floating hamlets,” or constructed on mangrove swamps, and are consequently often in danger of flooding. The majority of the state is made up of tiny towns and hamlets, which is problematic for economic development since nearby areas require metropolitan centers to offer a growth engine.
There are few cities and many remote villages in Bayelsa State. Only two towns (Ogbolomabiri and Amassoma) with a population of 20,000 or more are included among the sixty with a population of at least 5000 people. These two communities may be considered urban as they have a population of 20,000 or more.
Therefore, Bayelsa State does not currently have urban primacy issues. However, it has the chance to logically build regional urban centers of various scales for the effective placement and distribution of infrastructure and amenities that would benefit the people of the state as a whole. Due to the lack of urban predominance in the state, social institutions including schools and hospitals are evenly distributed throughout LGAs. Since hamlets and small towns predominate in the state, the lack of urban centers will undoubtedly hinder effective economic growth.
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
In the state, between 52% and 58% of all secondary and elementary schools have a linear link between the availability of infrastructure and economic growth. Yenagoa, Southern Ijaw, and Ogbia are the three LGAs that make up the state’s core region. There are no post-secondary or university institutions in the state.
Medical facilities: The state is not sufficiently covered by them. However, several LGAs, like Yenagoa, Southern ljaw, and Ogbi, benefit from well-developed medical infrastructure.
The state’s health clinics, maternity facilities, primary health centers, and hospitals are controlled by the three LGAs in proportions of 55.5%, 72.2%, 43.8%, and 33.3%, respectively. To accommodate its workers, Shell and other oil exploration firms have built medical facilities in different parts of the state.
No LGA in the state receives all of its electricity from the National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA), and none has complete access to pipe-borne water. Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa receive their lighting from state-operated gas turbines.
Communications and Transportation: Roads and rivers are the main forms of transportation in the state. The state has several transportation issues that have long impeded its ability to grow economically.
Water transportation: The State is crossed by a network of the River Niger’s distributaries, creating extensive marsh territory, much like every other state in the Niger Delta. The primary mode of transportation is hence through water. The typical means of transportation is speed boat. Speed boats are less effective and capable than outboard motor boats since they often do not transport products and can only hold a fraction as many people. The outboard motor boat is the slowest mode of transportation, whereas the inboard engine boat often has the biggest carrying capacity (lkporukpo, 1986). In Bayelsa State, water transportation has issues such sluggishness, lack of safety, irregularity, discomfort, poor efficiency, and capacity, among others.
In order to connect swamp towns with upland regions and the outside world, lengthy swamp bridges must be built. This will allow for efficient water transportation.
Road Transport: Due to the environmental issues we’ve already mentioned, road transportation is underdeveloped.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Agriculture and forestry: The amount of marshy terrain and the huge amounts of land that are flooded for the majority of the year in Bayelsa State hinder crop output. Food crops such as yam, cocoyam, bananas, pineapples, and plantains are produced in the state despite these restrictions, but the lack of agricultural land as a result of the ecological conditions and environmental degradation limits the commercial production of the products.
In the state, cash crops such coconut, pears, oil palm, and raffia palm are farmed. These crops have excellent growth prospects for supplying local industry. Technology must be created to remove land from mangrove swamps so that it may be used to grow food, notably lowland rice and the above-mentioned cash crops on a huge, industrial scale.
Mangrove swamps and freshwater swamps both support a variety of tropical tree species. In the state’s drier northern region, rubber is a significant income crop. Since canoes are the sole mode of transportation in a large portion of the state, a number of wood species are used to construct canoes, which is a significant business. The state’s forest products must be exploited for paper and pulp, lumber, canoe and boat construction, toothpicks, etc., however this is difficult due to inadequate access routes.
Because there are so many creeks, lagoons, rivers, and wetlands in the Bayelsa region, commercial fishing is the main activity of the locals. The waterways of the state and its surroundings are home to more than 200 kinds of fish. All of the local government areas (LGAs) in the state engage in the economic activity of extracting fish oil, and the coastal regions are abundant with sea delicacies as fish, oysters, crabs, lobsters, periwinkle, etc. In the oceans, rivers, and streams that crisscross the state, there are also marine species such hippopotamuses, manatees, crocodiles, etc.
Minerals:
The greatest crude oil reservoir in Nigeria’s Niger Delta is located in Bayelsa State. More over 40% of the nation’s on-shore crude oil production comes from this state, along with enormous amounts of associated gas. Large clay deposits are also present. Although the state has a lot of resources, they have not yet been completely discovered, used, or exploited.
Local Sourcing of Raw Materials:
According to certain reports, Bayelsa State is a promising location for future industrial and economic growth. A broad variety of raw materials may clearly be found locally for the creation of low, medium, and large scale enterprises in the state given the resource profile of the state.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Economic climate: If plans for the state’s growth can be clearly stated and faithfully carried out in an environment that is welcoming to investors, Bayelsa State has a very bright economic future. The aforementioned local resources may be used to establish a variety of enterprises. Little to no industrial production is currently taking place in the state.
Therefore, industrialization has the potential to be designed from scratch in a way that its geographical redistribution would favorably affect development across the state. Since the state’s founding, governments have done little to nothing to encourage industrialisation, but the state’s first elected governor has made some moves to create an environment that would attract investors.
These actions comprise:
construction of residential communities in Yenagoa, Odi, Amassoma, and Ogbia;
construction of industrial parks in Yenagoa and Odi;
promoting political peace between different ethnic groups, as well as between immigrants and natives of the state;
mass electrification of the state’s cities and villages;
additional fundamental socioeconomic infrastructure provision;
creation of effective land- and water-based interstate connections;
Identification of regional raw resources for industry and invitation to local and international businesspeople to create businesses with both forward and backward connections in the state.
Additionally, the state government has provided tax breaks, tax holidays, and capital allowances as incentives for business owners. All of them together make up a complete and alluring offering for prospective investors. The state government has a lax investment policy designed to encourage prospective and sincere business owners to take part in the economic and infrastructural development of the state.
Industrial Potentialities:
Despite the current issues with transportation and communications, an unstable supply of electricity, water, and other essential infrastructure, Bayelsa State has excellent potential for industrial growth. Palm oil, coconut, and rubber are examples of agricultural goods where small- to medium-sized businesses might be formed. The fishing sector could focus on fish oil extraction, fish packaging/canning, and other related activities. Local gin distilleries made from raffia palms and palm wine tapping are other agricultural products that might serve as the foundation for companies. However, the following are the main sectors for investment in the growth of agro-allied industries:
a) Extraction of vegetable oil from coconut and palm kernels: This is a potential industrial investment sector that the state has not yet fully explored. There are many opportunities for the production of fatty oils used in the making of paint and soap, and it is profitable to make gin from raffia palms and palm wine.
(a) Rubber: It is economically possible to produce goods like belts, inner tubes, tires, pipes, mats, and shoe heels and bottoms;
(c) “Ogbono”: Commercial production of ogbono is feasible, but this market opportunity has not been fully explored.
(d) Timber: This resource may be used to make straw packing mats, toothpicks, ice cream sticks, corrugated boards for packaging, and toilet paper.
(e) Ancillary Facilities for the Fishing business: The fishing business offers opportunities for ancillary industries such fish net manufacturing, boat construction, and fish canning in addition to fish oil extraction.
Additionally, the state’s mineral-based sectors provide a variety of investment options. These cover a broad variety of sectors that depend on crude oil and petroleum byproducts including jelly greases, rubber goods, floor tiles, and tarpaulin, among others.
Although many of the recreational facilities in Bayelsa State have the potential to be developed to generate income for the state, many are still in the planning stages. The state’s tourist potential is based on its lovely, sandy beaches along the coast, several traditional festivals, long, meandering streams and rivers, as well as woodlands with nearby shrines and a diverse range of fauna.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Bayelsa State’s future growth depends on industrialisation that is consistent with the state’s topography and natural resource base. Commercial floodplain and coastal swamp rice growing would make extensive use of low-cost rural labor that need not just originate from Bayelsa State.
To allow the production of commercial seafood, aquaculture should be encouraged via extension services that may be offered by an appropriate research institution. Natural gas, a readily accessible and inexpensive energy source, should be used to power heavy businesses like oil refining, fertilizer and petrochemical manufacturing, and metal smelting, all of which are geared toward export markets.
Industrial pollution would be reduced by the Bayelsa State’s humid tropical climate, powerful atmosphere, and high surface water circulation. The best way to modernize and maintain Bayelsa State’s economy is via job creation in the industrial sector. Investment incentives will encourage growth, urbanization, and the building of the necessary social and physical infrastructure.
The goal of social development in Bayelsa should be to improve the lives of the rural poor via nomadic, formal, and non-formal educational programs while also offering chances through the universal basic education program. Due to the few, dangerous, and unpredictable transportation options available in Bayelsa State’s rural, mostly riverine environment. Programs like the Federal Urban Mass Transit Scheme need government engagement seriously and quickly.
This will make it possible for river craft operators and inland waterway carriers to acquire boats that will connect all the municipalities in the State. The Mbiama-Yenagoa-Nembe-Brass highway, which spans the state from the interior portions of the coast, is one of the important road arteries that Bayelsa State most urgently needs.
The state capital of Yenagoa is the only place this route has halted since it was proposed around 20 years ago. This road must be extended to Brass on the Atlantic coast in order to boost tourism. Gas-fired turbines should be erected to harness the natural gas from the massive oil resources in Bayelsa State in order to create energy and deliver it to some other states in the nation. The Oloribiri Petroleum Museum and Research Institute, which will be established as a national millennium site and sponsored by the Federal Government to honor Oloribri as the first oil field in Nigeria, is another project that has been in the works for Bayelsa State and was recently reviewed.
