High Chief Francis Aguobiri is a business man, politician, traditional title holder and presently Chairman of Ogboin North Rural Development Authority (RDA) in Amassoma. In this exclusive interview with Erevision MediaTV’s Editor-In-Chief Mr. Robinson Erebi, High Chief Aguobiri bares his mind on developments in the Bayelsa State, the RDA and forthcoming Local Government election.
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Excerpts:
Erevision MediaTV: May we meet you sir?
High Chief Aguobiri: I am High Chief Aguobiri T. Francis, Chairman Ogboin North Rural Development Authority.
Erevision MediaTV: Before this appointment, you must have held some other offices:
High Chief Aguobiri: This is my second time in office in the Rural Development Authority.
Erevision MediaTV: Okay, as Chairman?
High Chief Aguobiri: I was Rural Development Authority Chairman in 2019.
Erevision MediaTV: We’re in another political season now, local government elections are coming up, but before then, how would you describe the administration of the State, particularly, developments in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area where you’re Chairman of Ogboin North?
High Chief Aguobiri: Okay. In respect of our Principal?
Erevision MediaTV: Yes
High Chief Aguobiri: Actually, Sen. Douye Diri and Sen. Ewhrudjakpo Lawrence, if you may ask me, I can say boldly that they’re Godsend to govern our dear Bayelsa State. When you talk of Southern I jaw in particular, I think all the rural communities will testify, would attest to that we have seven Rural Development Areas (RDAs) in Southern Ijaw, and I know that every of our RDAs, by the marching order of the prosperity government, all of them are doing well and every headquarters of RDAs are doing projects. Like me, in Ogboin North Rural Development Authority, the first project I’m doing now is to give writing desks. The primary schools are in dire need of classroom furniture so the government deem it fit and approved my request. As I’m talking to you, in a couple of days, I’m going to deliver the needed items to the Headmasters. Ninety percent of procurement is done. And by the grace of God, from now till next week, over 300 classroom furniture will be handed over to the Headmasters.
Erevision MediaTV: How many primary schools are we talking about?
High Chief Aguobiri: I’m embarking on three primary schools, namely, Alomu Primary School, Ogboin Primary School and Okpodu Primary School. Secondly, as I’m talking to you, another award of contract is almost at the doorstep. Immediately I handover the furniture to the Headmasters, another project will kick-start.
Erevision MediaTV: Which project will that be?
High Chief Aguobiri: That project will be a concrete road.
Erevision MediaTV: Amassoma is one community that has developed into an urban locality. What are the impacts of the present administration in Amassoma community. As the RDA Chairman, what do you have in Amassoma that one can say the government has done this here, it should do that in other areas as we know that a lot of things have to be done in Amassoma?
High Chief Aguobiri: The impact of the government or RDA in particular?
Erevision MediaTV: Government and the RDA in particular
High Chief Aguobiri: I’ve told you the impact being made by the RDA. And secondly, on the impact made by government, number 1 is the aspect of security because of the state owned University, government is beaming 100% of its security apparatus on Amassoma. Yes. As I speak to you, the Community Security Corps has been posted to Amassoma to make sure there is peace everywhere. At the same time, the police is there and the RDA is collaborating with the prosperity government to bring and maintain the peace in Amassoma. And if you flashback, before this time, as host community of Niger Delta University, there were so much atrocities resulting from a very high rate of drug abuse in Amassoma. But as Ogboin North Chairman, I collaborated with the NDLEA and we have brought this drug menace to the barest minimum. And by the grace of God, from now till next week, even the youths of Amassoma, the Amassoma Graduates Forum are taking up from where we stopped, to sensitize the people of Amassoma and the NDU community, creating awareness on the negative influence of drugs. Then, in terms of development, the prosperity government has tried and still doing more. If you come to Amassoma, Amassoma is just like a small London. If you enter Amassoma at night, If you can go there, you’ll not believe this is the Amassoma people have been talking about. Now it has turned to a small London. Light everywhere. The prosperity government has lit up Amassoma, we don’t have day, we don’t have night. The solar light is one important area of development by the prosperity government. As RDA Chairman, we’re opportuned to meet with the Governor, and if I tell you the projects that are Amassoma from the heart of the Governor, you will marvel. And there are lots of projects coming onboard. As soon as he swears in his Executive Council, you’ll hear what I’m saying.
Erevision MediaTV: As we speak, Bayelsans are getting ready for Local Government elections. How would you describe the election and the place of PDP in the scheme of things?
High Chief Aguobiri: The Local Government election, as far as I’m concerned, you heard from the government. The Governor says this is inclusive government. And from day one, from the first tenure Gov. Diri was sworn in, he never deprived the rights of anybody, and this coming election is open to all parties. The confidence we have in our party is that this State, spiritually, physically, God has designed or destined to PDP. And on the 6th of April 2024, PDP is going to deliver and for Amassoma, that’s a PDP urban community. We don’t have another party. So anybody that is trying or want to show interest coming from another party, I can say that person has already failed. So as Chairman, I would encourage or urge all sons and daughers of Amassoma, Ogboin North Rural Development Authority to tow the line of PDP because PDP will win and we have already won.
Erevision MediaTV: Is there any other thing you want to add to what you’ve said already concerning the election, particularly your candidate?
High Chief Aguobiri: Our candidate, er…like our candidate who is Hon. Target Segibo, he’s a known person to all of us, in fact, the whole State. He’s a person that opened the eyes of the youth. When he became member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, at the time, if I’m not mistaken, he was the youngest person as of then. And he has been in the political movement till now. He never deviated from politics. Coming to Amassoma where I said Amassoma is a PDP community, as I speak to you, we never heard any primary done by any other party in Amassoma but as I speak to you, we have three vibrant candidates for Councilor. So with the Councilors and stakeholders of PDP in Amassoma and every other person, we know that the election has already come and gone. We’re only waiting for the announcement or the day that the election will be conducted.
Erevision MediaTV: Thank you very much, High Chief. It’s been a pleasure talking to you.
High Chief Aguobiri: Thank you.
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