Why road infrastructure is my priority – Diri
By Jeffrey Agbo
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said that his administration’s major priority is to connect every local government headquarters in the largely riverine state by road.
Diri stated this on Thursday when he received a group, Friends of Senator Douye Diri (FSDD), at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
The governor said to address part of the state’s developmental challenges, his administration embarked on construction of a network of roads and bridges to open up the hinterlands and alleviate the plight of people living in rural communities.
His words: “l knew how we suffered during the burial of my mother at Ayamasa. We had to go through Bomadi in Delta State. It was almost like a day’s journey. But, today, it only takes about an hour from the state capital and you are in Ayamasa in Ekeremor Local Government Area.
“So, having had these practical experiences before becoming governor, l resolved that my number one priority is to open up our hinterlands. I did not have to first consult with anybody. When people drive comfortably to their communities, they appreciate the government’s efforts.
“For instance, the road to Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw LGA, we are very sure will be delivered before the end of my administration.
“Nembe local government is accessible and so is Ekeremor. But people cannot yet drive to places like Brass or Ukubie. By the time we link these areas by road, we would have solved half of our development problems.”
On the issue of power, the governor said the agreement to acquire a 60 mega watt gas turbine had been signed and that when the state-owned independent plant becomes functional, it would ensure stable power supply to virtually all parts of the state.
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Expressing appreciation to the FSDD members for their solidarity, Diri urged them to key into government’s programmes on agriculture and small and medium-scale businesses.
He said it is not possible to give everyone political appointment and appealed to them to help redirect the mindset of Bayelsans towards engaging in small businesses.
He also urged people of the state to join his administration in fostering peace and development rather than engaging in cheap blackmail and propaganda.
In his remarks, the spokesman of FSDD, Elder Braeyi Ekiye, lauded the governor for his purposeful leadership that had brought about peace and sustainable development.
Ekiye applauded the government’s strides in the provision of infrastructure, particularly the three senatorial roads among other programmes and policies targeted at promoting good governance.
President of FSDD, Prince Bodi Arerebo, in his remarks, said the visit was to felicitate with the governor during the Yuletide as well as express their abiding support for his administration.