The Bayelsa State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, in Beijing, covering infrastructure, agricultural and aquaculture projects, as well as mass housing for civil servants and low-income earners in the state.
According to a statement on Monday, Governor Douye Diri signed on behalf of the state, while the President of CCECC, Mr. Chen Sichang, signed for the firm.
The governor’s spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the deal followed a similar MoU signed on October 14, 2025, in Abuja with Dubai-based Jampur Group for the construction of solar panels and smart electricity meters in the state.
Sichang described the new agreement as a landmark partnership, recalling that CCECC had been active in Bayelsa since 2012 and had delivered several key projects including the Tombia Road, Niger Delta University Road, Airport Access Road, Glory Drive Phase 2, and the Yenagoa–Angiama section of the Yenagoa–Oporoma Road.
“Notably, the ongoing construction of the 630-metre bridge between Angiama and Oporoma is the longest stand-alone bridge ever constructed by CCECC in Nigeria. The fact that such a significant project was awarded to our company reflects Your Excellency’s strong confidence in our capabilities,” he said.
He identified Bayelsa as one of CCECC’s most strategic partners in Nigeria and expressed interest in collaborating further on community access roads, power, water supply, mechanised agriculture, aquaculture, and fertiliser production to boost food output.
“Regarding financing of some of the projects, we will invest directly in them, while for others we will seek government or credit support,” Sichang added.
Governor Diri, in his remarks, described CCECC as a trusted development partner, noting that his administration had cleared outstanding debts owed to the firm and other companies upon assuming office in 2020.
“When I saw the quality of work done by your company under my predecessor, I decided to continue with you. Since then, CCECC has done excellently well in our state. You are one of the first top companies that partnered with us on infrastructure development,” he said.
The governor commended the company’s interest in agriculture, aquaculture, and housing, noting that mass housing projects would be a key focus in the remaining two years of his tenure.
“This is one area of cooperation we seriously desire. We want to see private sector-driven housing projects in Bayelsa, particularly in what we call the New Yenagoa City. Same goes for power and water supply,” Diri said.
He added that the state government was keen on establishing a fertiliser production plant and promoting mechanised agriculture, stressing that the partnership would be based on joint financing and investment models.
“When you become development partners, it means government alone is not the one bringing all the money. That way, you are seen more as financiers and investors and not just contractors,” the governor noted.
Governor Diri also announced that President Bola Tinubu would be invited to inaugurate the Angiama–Oporoma Bridge in February 2026 during the sixth anniversary of his administration.
