OPINION: Bayelsa State And The unhealthy Culture Of Monkey Bridges

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Many things went through my mind at same time when I was walking across this bridge. First was admiration of the ingenuity of the constructor who was able to conceptualize this beautiful wooden foot bridge, which are only found in tourist centres and places in the world, even though no modern society, anywhere in the world still uses this as a major means masses of movement.

The second, was our backwardness as a state. Bayelsa as one of the youngest states with the smallest population but with one of the highest monthly federal allocation that is more than those of four Northern states put together is supposed to have a number of beautiful concrete, well constructed bridges Criss crossing the Epie Creek which is a great untapped revenue spinning asset.

With 1B Naira, government can construct a beautiful bridge across the Epie Creek. Let us imagine the beauty that Creek will add if the government constructs a minimum of 5 to 6 additional bridges in addition to the Igbogene  Bridge. The above will help to open up the thick forest across the Epie Creek.

Let us ask ourselves, how many state capitals in Nigeria have the level of thick forests and undeveloped bushes inside the Capital City the way Yenagoa is looking so backward and undeveloped?

Rivers and Bayelsa States have the same difficult terrain but where will anyone see this kind of Monkey Bridge in any part of Port Harcourt?

It is so obvious that no government can grow beyond it’s vision and mindset especially those of the leaders. Again, it also depends on the priorities of the leaders of the government of the day.

But whichever way one may want to look at it, Bayelsa State after 23years of its creation is far behind modern development.

May Almighty God bless Bayelsans with a real leader with vision and style who will be very passionate about the infrastructural and human capital development of the state.

By
Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli
Mirror and Conscience of Society.

DISCLAIMER: Opinion expressed is that of the author and it does not in any reflect the views of this blog.