By Emma Ogbuehi
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, has assured that the global organisation would support the development initiatives of the Governor Douye Diri administration in Bayelsa State.
Speaking in Government House, Yenagoa, during an interactive session with members of the state executive council, Kallon noted that the visit has shown that the state needed its assistance and promised to reinforce the partnership between the state and the UN.
Kallon identified health, agriculture, economy and security as some of the areas in which the global body would provide support with a view to providing durable solutions for the economic transformation of the state.
He commended the state government for effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it would support the government to enable it achieve more.
The Resident Coordinator also assured that his office would help accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals to keep the state on the track of development.
He stressed the need for urgent efforts to address insecurity in the country, stressing that no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of crisis.
In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri appreciated the UN representative for the visit, saying the government was open to partnership with the global body in order to move the state forward.
Describing the visit of the UN representative as fruitful, he expressed the optimism that the partnership would usher in the needed development in the state in virtually all sectors of its economy.
His words: “There is no doubt in my mind that this visit brings good tidings. I have identified in the UN programmes that if we align with you, it would go a long way to solve the issues we face as a state.”
Governor Diri reaffirmed the determination of his administration to continue in the fight against COVID-19 while urging the people of the state to avail themselves of the vaccine, insisting that it is safe.
“On health and well-being, though the state government has taken necessary measures in an effort to stem the scourge of COVID-19, it is undeniable that we face very peculiar challenges in Bayelsa. The Ministry of Health is doing its best to ensure that no one is left out in terms of vaccination.”
He assured that his administration will continue to welcome groups and individuals willing to assist the state positively.
Diri equally lamented that despite the huge contribution of Bayelsa to the national economy, the state was yet to benefit significantly from the resources nature endowed her with.
“Bayelsa is one of Nigeria’s main oil producing states, accounting for almost a quarter of crude oil production and approximately a third of its oil wealth. Despite our immense oil reserves and significant contribution to the commonwealth of Nigeria, the people of Bayelsa still battle with poverty, with the state scoring lower on the UN development index than many other states in the country.”
