By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.

Immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said the pace of development of Bayelsa has left him emotional.

Speaking at Oporoma community, headquarters of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, on Monday during a grand reception in his honour, the former Vice President said he was impressed by the people-oriented projects of the Senator Douye Diri administration, stressing that the governor understood the reason for governance.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted Prof. Osinbajo as recalling his visit to the state on February 19, 2022 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Angiama-Oporoma bridge project, saying he had his doubts when he saw that the area was a forest.

Osinbajo, however, expressed delight that Governor Diri had proved him wrong by ensuring the completion of the 630-metre bridge and the access road to Oporoma, which had been on the drawing board for over six decades.

He said by his development strides, Diri had proved that God did not make a mistake in his choice as governor and that the people of Bayelsa were happy with him.

He hailed the completion of the referral hospital in Oporoma, which he also inaugurated, saying that he was impressed that the hospital, initiated 53 years ago in 1973 but was completed by the Diri administration, was already performing surgeries.

Innagurating the Agbura-Oxbow Lake road in Yenagoa Local Government Area, the former VP described the project as impactful, saying it not only linked communities but also reduced travel time and connected communities to key federal government offices such as the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Secretariat.

While commending Diri, Osinbajo said he is a man that keeps to his words and that it was rare to find such quality within the Nigerian political space.

His words: “I am privileged to be alive and to be a part of history. This is a very special day for me; an emotional one.

“I was here for the groundbreaking (of the bridge at Angiama). At that time, it was a dream because there was no access road to one of the most prolific oil producing local government areas in the country.”

Osinbajo profusely commended the Bayelsa governor.

“I had my doubts but here we are today witnessing history. I believe that once a leader understands the reason God gave him the opportunity to serve, the people will be happy. Douye Diri has proved that God did not make a wrong choice in him. He proves every day that he is the right man for the job.

“Let me thank my brother and friend for the kind invitation to be here because it is not often that you find men and women able to keep their words in politics. He is a man a character, who keeps his promises; faithful and loyal to his friends. Any man who keeps his promises will be faithful to his people.

“I commend him for doing what he ought to do, providing facilities to make life easy for the people. I pray for the governor that the progress today is only the beginning and the Almighty God will enable you achieve more and Bayelsa will prosper.”

In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri appreciated the immediate past vice president for accepting to visit the state again to inaugurate key projects executed by his administration.

He said Osinbajo loves development and the people of Bayelsa as exemplified in his readiness to always respond positively whenever he was invited.

Diri stressed that the essesence of governance is to bring happiness to the people, assuring that his administration will continue to embark on people-oriented projects.

He said the referral hospital had not only been completed but had also been fully equipped, and promised to construct the road from Oporoma to the hospital at Osokama as well as fence the hospital.

He said: “A few years ago, on February 19, 2022, as Vice President, you visited and was part of the process that marked the beginning of the Angiama bridge. Our collective prayers have been answered as that project was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on April 10.

“Today you have graciously returned to celebrate with us. For that staedfastness and support, we are grateful. You are a true son of Bayelsa State.

“These projects you have inaugurated are important to our people. Development must be felt in our communities. For us, there is nothing like difficult terrain. This is what God has given us and it is our duty to tame it.

“Today, this government has not only completed the referral hospital, it has been equipped and ready to serve the whole of constituency 2 and 3 in Sputhern Ijaw. Your government is bringing healthcare to your doorsteps.“

Earlier at the Agbura-Oxbow Lake road commissioning ceremony, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, remarked that the 6.72km road will create easier and shorter access to Swali and other parts of Yenagoa thereby reducing travel time.

He thanked Governor Diri for his visionary leadership and expressed optimism that Bayelsa wil witness more infrastructural development under the incumbent administration.

At Oporoma, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, said the people of Southern Ijaw were grateful to the administration for giving them access road after decades of neglect despite being one of the local governments with the highest production of crude oil in the country.

The event featured the presentation of gifts to Osinbajo and a cultural performance by the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture troupe.