Governor Siminalayi Fubara has announced that the ongoing 13.5-kilometre Oyorokoto coastal road in Andoni Local Government Area will now extend beyond the original Oyorokoto beach destination to connect a newly discovered Atlantic beachfront with major tourism and economic potential. The governor has projected March 2026 as the target date for completion and commissioning of the project.
Governor Fubara disclosed this on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, while speaking with newsmen during an inspection visit to the coastline where construction is underway. He described the road as a vital pathway into Rivers State’s emerging blue economy landscape, noting that it will unlock significant opportunities in tourism, maritime enterprise, and coastal commerce.
He explained that while the road was initially planned to provide direct access to the popular Oyorokoto beach—a known fishing and relaxation hub—the scope was expanded after government sighted an additional natural beachfront directly facing the Atlantic Ocean.
“I call it the pathway to the blue economy,” the governor said, visibly pleased as he surveyed the shoreline. “We started this project to link Oyorokoto beach, which is already one of our finest tourist sites. But during construction, we discovered another site further ahead, facing the Atlantic Ocean itself. So, we decided to extend the road to capture this larger opportunity.”
Governor Fubara stated that his administration intends to harness the full tourism and recreational potential of the coastal corridor, adding that detailed plans are being developed to establish hospitality facilities, marine transport services, commercial fishing support operations, and creative outdoor leisure spaces.
According to him, the goal is to develop a sustainable tourism and economic ecosystem capable of generating revenue for the state while creating employment for residents, particularly youths and local entrepreneurs in Andoni and surrounding riverine communities.
The governor acknowledged the engineering complexities of the terrain, describing it as one of the most challenging in the coastal belt due to mangrove wetlands and tidal zones. However, he expressed satisfaction with the pace of work by MCC Construction, the project contractor.
“From what we have seen today, the contractor is doing its best. The terrain is not friendly, but we are determined to conquer it. We believe that by March next year we will be back here to commission this project and open up this new tourism frontier,” he assured.
Governor Fubara also noted that the road will significantly improve movement and economic activities for communities in Andoni, many of which have long depended on water transport as their primary means of mobility.
On his return from the inspection, the governor made a stopover at the Kalaibiama-Epellema road project in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area where piling works are ongoing for a river-crossing bridge leading to Epellema community. He reiterated that his administration is focused on infrastructure projects that promote connectivity, expand commerce, and improve quality of life.
“These are not cosmetic projects. These are legacy infrastructure investments that change how communities live and interact,” he said.
Observers say the project aligns with global coastal development models where waterfront tourism and blue economy investments are used to drive local revenue and attract private sector collaboration.
With work progressing and the governor’s assurance of timely completion, the Oyorokoto-Atlantic coastal road is expected to emerge as one of Rivers State’s most strategic infrastructure achievements in the riverine region.
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