Well Done and More Work, Sen. Douye Diri

By Ere Robinson Erebi

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The “Miracle Governor” as he is popularly called admirers has demonstrated beyond reason doubts that the best is yet come from the leadership stables of the prosperity administration in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

As part of his 2nd anniversary celebrations in February 2022, the 5th Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri spent a whole week commissioning several projects completed by his government.

These projects, most of which had been abandoned by his predecessors, includes the continuation of the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road completed to Angiama town with promises of crossing a bridge over to Oporoma headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area; the Igbedi road, one phase of Igbogene-AIT Elebele outer ring road, a number of internal roads in Yenagoa capital city, the Ultra-Modern Motor Park in Igbogene, the Elebele bridge, Nembe unity bridge, new complex for our Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme, and the New Media Village.

Sen. Douye Diri has also made sure that the welfare of civil servants and retirees does not suffer undue hardship through prompt payment of salaries, steady payment of pensions and gratuities; smooth implementation of promotions, etc and Bayelsa State workers are happy.

In the light of Gov. Diri’s achievements so far, one project that caught the attention of this writer most was the Igbedi – Amassoma Airport Road that he started and completed in record time. The Igbedi Road is a stone throw away from the long abandoned Ikibiri – Amassoma Airport link Road.

Ikibiri community in Yenagoa Local Government Area is part of Yenagoa Capital Territory and it’s not only strategic to our economic and social development, but also a stronghold of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Already, there are talks that PDP should not come for campaigns in Ikibiri by boat as a middle aged man who wants the Governor to run for a second term quipped:

“Let him complete this abandoned Ikibiri Road linking us to the Airport and Niger Delta University before the next governorship campaigns so we can all drive in by bus”.

Given the state of affairs on inception of this administration on February 14, 2020, there’s no gain saying the fact that Sen. Douye Diri has performed well beyond the expectations of political pundits in the past two years as Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, especially in his committed continuation of projects started but abandoned by his predecessors over 12 years ago.

To this end, Bayelsans across political lines are unanimous in their assessment that the achievements recorded by the prosperity administration are so far, so good and deserve our commendations. And I so commend him.

As Bayelsans continue to sail with this “performing Governor” for the best to come in light years ahead, expectations are high as the people expect him to create graduate employment teeming youths, economically viable and enduring empowerment Programmes and projects; raising new leaders and millionaires through political appointments of committee and visionary leaders like himself, vocational training and equipment, rural electrification and more scholarship awards to indigent but brilliant students in our Post Primary and Tertiary institutions.

Sen. Douye Diri has also endeared himself to people beyond the coasts of his Ijaw territory through his willingness to work with all Federal Establishments and supporting the implementation of Federal projects in the State. A case in point is his timely support for the Enumeration Area Demarcation Updating exercise being conducted by the National Population Commission in Brass, Nembe, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Yenagoa Local Government Areas.

His willingness to work with other critical stakeholders in the Bayelsa Project is also endearing and I think that Sen. Douye Diri, who I’d prefer to call “the performing Governor”, deserves the support of every community for him to do more in the years ahead by uniting the people and providing visionary and committed leadership permeating the social, political and economic development of this land flowing with oil and gas.

While responding to hearty cheers from the people on his second anniversary celebrations and thanksgiving, Gov. Douye Diri said:

“I am so elated with the pace of work at the GloryDrive from Ecumenical centre, the Sagbama-Ekeremor road, Yenagoa-Oporoma road, and various educational and health projects. We are making great effort to ensure the street lights are operational in the State capital and the inhabitants of “Down Yenagoa” and Swali, can testify to this new development. We are poised to do more for our people as you continue to pray and support the government of the day”.

So we pray, Your Excellency, my Governor and God bless Bayelsa State.