Residents of Die-Ama Community in Nembe Kingdom, Bayelsa State, have issued a stern one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government, Bayelsa State Government, and the contractors handling the Nembe-Brass Road project. The community, which claims to be the most severely impacted by the ongoing construction, is demanding immediate inclusion in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure compensation for environmental degradation, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.
Background on the Protest
The Nembe-Brass Road project, a long-awaited infrastructure initiative valued at over N54 billion, aims to connect Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas, reducing travel time and risks associated with waterway transport in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. Flagged off in 2022 by then-Minister of Works Babatunde Fashola, the project has faced delays due to funding, security concerns, and community disputes. Recent dredging and construction activities have intensified, but Die-Ama residents allege they were deliberately excluded from consultations and the MoU, which outlines benefits like compensation and community development funds.
In a public statement addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Douye Diri, and project stakeholders, the community’s Paramount Ruler, HRH Baratuaipre Eketei Amaene, highlighted the dire impacts:
- Environmental Degradation: Dredging operations in local creeks and rivers have polluted water sources, destroyed farmlands, and disrupted fishing activities – key livelihoods for the predominantly agrarian and fishing community.
- Displacement and Insecurity: Construction has led to forced relocations without notice, while alleged harassment by neighboring Okpoama Community members, backed by influential figures including former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva and a resigned local king, has escalated tensions. Residents report nightly invasions by “cult boys” preventing access to project sites.
- Exclusion from Benefits: Despite being an autonomous community under Nembe Kingdom, Die-Ama was not involved in MoU negotiations, denying them access to jobs, scholarships, and infrastructure upgrades promised to host communities.
HRH Amaene emphasized, “We are the most impacted community in the Nembe/Brass Road project… Dredging is going on in our creeks and rivers. We are not consulted.” The ultimatum warns of a potential shutdown of construction activities if demands are unmet, underscoring the community’s resolve to avoid further marginalization.
Community Demands
The protesters have outlined clear calls for action:
- Immediate MoU Inclusion: Recognition as a primary host community with equitable shares in compensation and development funds.
- Security Intervention: Deployment of state and federal security to halt harassment and ensure safe access to project areas.
- Environmental Remediation: Assessment and restoration of damaged ecosystems, including polluted waterways.
- Economic Relief: Priority in employment opportunities and support for affected farmers and fishers.
Die-Ama, with its strategic location along the project corridor, positions itself as a vital stakeholder whose exclusion risks broader instability in the Niger Delta’s volatile oil belt.
Government and Stakeholder Response
As of November 12, 2025, neither the Bayelsa State Government nor the Federal Ministry of Works has issued an official response. However, the protest echoes past community agitations in the region, including 2022 security concerns raised by the Nembe Se Congress, which led to the formation of a special committee to safeguard the project. Governor Diri’s administration has previously committed to the road as a poverty-alleviation tool, but ongoing disputes highlight gaps in community engagement.
Local stakeholders, including the Amanyanabo of Nembe, King Edmund Daukoru, have historically supported the project but urged inclusive dialogue to prevent disruptions.
Broader Implications for Niger Delta Development
This incident underscores persistent challenges in Nigeria’s infrastructure projects: balancing economic gains with social equity. In the Niger Delta, where oil revenues fund such initiatives, community buy-in is crucial to avert sabotage or legal halts. Similar protests have delayed projects like the East-West Road, costing billions. Experts call for robust Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and transparent MoU frameworks to foster trust.
The Die-Ama ultimatum expires mid-December 2025. Failure to address it could escalate into a full blockade, impacting the project’s timeline and Bayelsa’s connectivity goals.
Voices from the Ground
- Resident Fisherman, Die-Ama: “Our rivers are dying. Without us in the MoU, who will fix this? We won’t sit idle while our future is stolen.”
- Youth Leader: “This is bigger than one road – it’s about justice for the Niger Delta. Governments must listen or face the consequences.”
