By: Kola Oredipe.
Bayelsa State at the moment, is witnessing remarkable transformation in different aspects of development under the current Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
The peaceful land has continued to grow in leaps and bounds since February 14th 2020 when the Government of Assured Prosperity came on board.
The exciting achievements did not come by chance but through passion, dedication and positive energy anchored on building bridges of collaboration.
Renowned Mathematician, Isaac Newton once observed, “We build too many walls, and not enough bridges.”
But under the current Prosperity Administration, His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri from inception advocated love, peace, and unity upon which foundation to build a new Bayelsa has been laid.
The governor deliberately emphasize the “Project Bayelsa” over and ahead of personal political ambitions.
With the deep administrative experience of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the government has brought a new culture of bridge building and fostering good relationship in governance.
In five years, the current administration has shown courage, passion and genuine commitment to usher in a new era of development to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people. Truly, giant steps are being recorded under the administration in the area of peace and development.
Diri, since 2020, is very mindful of his love mantra of togetherness and with his peaceful disposition, he has made many more friends and even more from the opposition. Little wonder his re-election in 2023 enjoyed massive support across party lines.
Bayelsans have come to testify to the outstanding personality of the Governor as a good man. Yes, he is not only building physical bridges but bridges of love, unity and friendship among the people of the State irrespective of political party affiliations.
He said: “I will be governor of all, be it PDP, APC and others. We must remain united and ensure peace in our land. That is the only time we can be talking of development. Let us work together.”
This is the reality in Bayelsa State today. In 5 years, Diri, has disarmed cantankerous opposition and critics with his aura of simplicity in governance, accommodating posture, peaceful disposition and outstanding performance in the different sectors.
It is incontestable that the Governor is carrying the burden of developmental challenges in the state with so much passion thus making a remarkable difference.
It was late renowned Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, that said,”Passion is the bridge that takes you from pain to change”, and truly, this is the kicker to the Governor who understands the issues of development in the State.
The drive for a better and prosperous Bayelsa remains a heroic feat achieved by Senator Diri in five years as expressed in visible landmark projects across the State.
Diri, is taking both human and infrastructural development head-on and he is embarking on big ticket projects to advance development across the eight Local Government Areas.
Yes, he is building the three Senatorial roads- Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge road, Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road and Nembe-Brass road projects.
The Prosperity Administration has built bridges across different rivers and creeks connecting several riverine communities to the state capital by roads.
Today, the people of Angiama, Oporoma, Aguobiri, Otuan, Angalabiri, Ofoni, Ayamasa, Aleibiri, Isampou, Amanagbene, Ekeremor main town and Igbedi are full of appreciation for linking the communities by roads.
Interestingly, in five years, the government has done so much from sector to sector.
Among the projects that were completed and commissioned during his first tenure were Kaiama Referral Hospital, Ernest Ikoli media complex, housing the Station owned radio station, Niger Delta Television and New waves, the New Yenagoa City Road, the Nembe unity bridge, Elebele bridge, Igbedi road, Igbogene-Elebele -AIT outer ring road, Glory Drive road phase 2, the new Finance House, Isaac Boro Expressway, Transport Terminal, and new BHIS Administrative Complex in Yenagoa.
Similarly, the governor released funds to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to cater for community projects, rehabilitated the Opokuma/Sabagreia road, repaired fifty internal roads in Yenagoa and built over 70 new Internal roads within the State capital.
It is great to note the infrastructural wonders taking place at the New Yenagoa City by Onopa, where dualised roads have sprang up and newly built Commissioner’s and Assembly Quarters have been inaugurated. Diri, is building a modern state capital under the current urban renewal programme.
Diri, has proven to be a very prolific builder. Strategically, he is building the capacity of young people through the skills acquisition and empowerment programmes. Thousands of the beneficiaries have been provided with their starter packs.
Also, he is building the capacity of the young students through the establishment of Science, Technical and Vocational Colleges across the State.
Again, Governor Diri is building a robust health sector with critical infrastructures and improvement on public health care to make many people including those in riverine communities have access to affordable health services. The Bayelsa State Health Insurance Scheme, the Zipline drones facilities for medical supplies and the new Haemodialysis centre are major boost to the good health indices of Bayelsa State.
Despite the many visible accomplishments, the quest of the Assured Prosperity administration to leave more legacies is not going down! Governor Diri, is making in roads into Agriculture to boost food production.
The construction of three new key infrastructures and legacy projects have commenced- new Ultra-modern 25,000 seating capacity Stadium, iconic 9-storey Secretariat Complex and the 60MW Gas Turbines. Building an independent power plant coupled with the existing peace and security, is the way to industrial revolution.
The shared prosperity drive is touching every side, everyone; it’s a new season of Assured Prosperity where love and unity reign among the people.
In this worthwhile five years, Bayelsa State has witnessed uncommon transformation in infrastructural development and the testimonies are loud about the steady progress in the State.
It takes a man of courage, good conscience and passion to be a committed bridge builder and Senator Douye Diri, has endeared himself to the people as a true leader who is building a new Bayelsa of greater possibilities and shared prosperity.
Oredipe, is the Director-General, Bayelsa Government New Media.
