BAYELSA GOVERNOR ASSURES OF PROJECT COMPLETION, FULFILS CAR PROMISE TO HERO POLICE OFFICER

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has assured that his administration will not abandon any project when he leaves office in February 2028. In a statement at the 169th session of the state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, Diri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects, including legacy projects that it started and those it inherited.

Diri mentioned some of the big-ticket legacy projects, including the Sagbama-Ekeremor road, the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road, and phase one of the Nembe-Brass road. He also highlighted the nine-storey civil servants secretariat, the 25,000-capacity stadium, and the 60mw gas turbine plant, among other infrastructure projects initiated by his administration. “All the projects that are ongoing will be completed and our goal is to complete them before we leave office,” Diri said.

The governor also gave an update on the Bayelsa West senatorial road between Ekeremor and Agge, saying it was now being sand-filled by the contractors, China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC). He further stated that the federal government, which took over construction of the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road, had released 30 per cent of the contract sum.

In a separate gesture, Governor Diri fulfilled his pledge to Bayelsa State-born Chief Superintendent of Police Sentome Obi, presenting a brand new saloon car to the officer. Obi had earned national acclaim following his rejection of a $17,000 bribe from a crime suspect. “The preparations are very high. Very soon the new gas turbines will arrive. My focus is to resolve the issue of electricity so that we will have our own independent power plant,” Diri said.

Chief Press Secretary Daniel Alabrah reported that Diri, represented by his Special Adviser on Security 1, CP Akpoebi Agberebi (rtd), presented the car to Obi in Government House. Alabrah said Diri expressed the hope that the gift would encourage Obi and other officers to continue to discharge their professional duties more efficiently. “He urged Obi not to relent but to continue to put in his best, which he noted will contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the state,” Alabrah said.

In response, CSP Sentome Obi thanked God, the IGP, and Governor Diri for the honour, saying it will spur him to do more in the service.