Residents Ask Bayelsa Govt To Fix Bad Roads

Traders  and other residents of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have appealed to the state government to repair deteriorating internal roads, saying flooding, difficult movement and damage to personal belongings were affecting their daily lives and businesses.

From Dim Rose Street in Biogbolo to the Swali Market particularly the road from the market roundabout leading towards the flyover, the condition of some internal roads has become a source of concern for the residents and business owners, particularly during rainfall.

For residents of Dim Rose Street, the problem goes beyond the inconvenience of walking through a bad road. It affects their ability to move around, access transportation and carry out everyday activities.

A resident of the street, Big Luck, said the community had repeatedly complained about the road but was yet to see any meaningful intervention.

According to him, the road becomes particularly difficult to use whenever it rains, while commercial tricycle operators sometimes refuse to enter the area because of its condition.

“Whenever it rains, the road becomes very bad. The government says it is constructing roads and carrying out major projects to improve other areas, but Dim Rose Street is also a road in Yenagoa.

The government should come and inspect it because the condition is very poor,” he said.

Big Luck explained that residents sometimes had to trek because commercial tricycles were unwilling to convey them through the affected road.

“In other places, commercial tricycle operators may charge ₦200 for a trip. However, because of the bad condition of the road in Dim Rose Street, some operators avoid carrying passengers into the area. As a result, residents have to trek on foot,” he said.

For residents who depend on public transportation, the situation means that even short journeys can become difficult when the road is in poor condition.

The problem has also affected businesses operating along Dim Rose Street. Stephen Chukwu, who runs a laundry shop in the area, said residents had complained several times without seeing any improvement.

Chukwu, who said he had operated his business in the area for about two years, described the situation as frustrating, particularly during rainfall.

“Yes, we have complained several times. Nothing has happened,” he said.

He added that several places in the area experienced flooding when it rained, making movement difficult for people living and working there.

A similar situation was reported in Swali, where traders said the condition of the road and flooding had disrupted their businesses and caused damage to personal belongings.

Henry Akujiobi, a trader in the area, said he had recorded videos showing the extent of the damage on the road and its effects on residents and traders.

According to Akujiobi, flooding affects different parts of the neighbourhood, leaving roads and surrounding areas covered in water and making movement difficult.

He said the situation had also resulted in damage to people’s belongings, citing the case of a woman whose iPhone was damaged after their Keke dumble because of the bad road.

He explained that people contributed money to assist the woman, but the phone could no longer be switched on.

“The situation is causing many problems and seriously affecting our businesses,” he said, adding that residents and traders were waiting for the government to intervene.

Another trader, Glory Julius, said the road had remained a concern for nearly two years, with flooding making it difficult for people to move around during the rainy season.

She said the problem affected not only traders but also residents carrying their belongings and children who had to pass through the area.

“Even the upper part of the road becomes bad. People carrying small bags and other belongings find it difficult to move across the road,” Julius said.

She added that traders, including those providing beauty and facial treatment services as well as those plaiting hair, had complained about the situation because of its effect on their businesses.

For the affected residents and business owners, the demand is for the government to address the condition of the internal roads and the flooding that makes movement difficult.

They say repairing the affected roads would improve access to homes and businesses, reduce transportation difficulties and help protect residents’ belongings from damage during rainfall.

Until the necessary intervention is carried out, residents and traders in the affected parts of Yenagoa, will continue to face the daily challenges posed by bad roads and flooding.