The Road To Southern Ijaw

Southern Ijaw is about the largest local govt area in Bayelsa state.

I made a visit there last Thursday.
From Lagos where i boarded an Agofure bus, it departed at 11am, we had stop overs at Ore, Warri, to eat.

At 8.30pm, i alighted at Mbiama junction , boarded a cab at the rate of 150 Naira to Yenagoa main town.
I lodged in an hotel with 2500 a night, the town was full of darkness.Okada i discovered doesn't operate after 7pm.

Friday Morning, i went to jetty at harbor Road to board a speed boat to a community in Southern ijaw.
The fare being charged is 1500, and i was asked if i could swim otherwise i should rent a live jacket.
Unknown to the man that i am "Fish" on water.
When the boat moved, not up to 20 Minutes, i saw a house boat full of Soldiers[Joint Military Task Force] asking the boat to stop. We were all searched, unfortunately for me i was a carrying  a press id card.They were mad at me, asked me why i was going there and so many other questions.
I pleaded and was allowed to go.
Those soldiers i saw there are bent on killing any enemy, they are real soldiers, they look young, brave and energetic.

On the river at least i saw 3 military boats parading and checking incoming boats.

The waterways are no longer safe to communities in Souther ijaw.

Iwas reliably told that a factional militant leader was assasinated by another group on saturday.

My journey to Southern Ijaw was really eventful, but basically the areas lack government presence, there are no lights, drinkable water, hospitals etc
The area needs development.

I met a young man who identified himself as a militant to me, he pleaded with me to help get connection to travel abroad. He also told me how much he's being as a soldier working for a militant group.He said their group alone receives about 30 Million Naira .He told me the sophistication of their arms.

I am aware the Government is constructing a bridge to connect some of the riverine communities
I plead for quick and urgent attention in providing roads and a connecting bridge.
It took 1hour 30 minutes from Yenagoa to Southern Ijaw, whereas with a bridge would just be 15-20 Minutes.

The waterways are so dangerous considering the presence of JTF.