Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, marked the fifth anniversary of his administration with a thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa. The well-attended event was graced by prominent Nigerians, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience, and Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Muftwang.

The Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, noted that Governor Diri used the occasion to render his stewardship, highlighting the completion of several impactful projects, as well as ongoing and newly-awarded projects. Daniel Alabrah stated that the governor listed some of the projects to include the three big-ticket senatorial roads, particularly the Bayelsa Central road, which would get to Oporoma and be inaugurated this year. Alabrah also mentioned that the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road in Bayelsa East would come on stream, while the ongoing first phase would be 90% completed by the end of the year.

Governor Diri also announced plans to construct a 25,000-seat FIFA-standard stadium, which would be flagged off by Dr. Jonathan on Monday. Alabrah noted that the administration was addressing the issue of civil servants’ office accommodation by commencing the building of an iconic nine-storey secretariat complex. Daniel Alabrah stated that the contractor, Megastar Limited, had already been paid 50% of the project cost.

In the area of education, Governor Diri said there had been a shift in paradigm to science and technical education, with the government building and equipping five science and technical colleges across the state. Alabrah stated that the governor directed the Commissioner for Education to ensure that the two local government areas yet to be covered were completed this year.

On the issue of epileptic power supply, Governor Diri said it would be a thing of the past when the 60mw gas turbines worth $60 million arrive the state. “We have agreed with a private company that is supplying us 60mw of gas turbines, big enough to serve not only Yenagoa but the whole of Bayelsa State. We are expecting the gas turbines to arrive Nigeria in the next two months, and I can promise you without looking back that by the end of this year, we will have 24 hours independent power supply,” Governor Diri said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr. Tope Fasua, commended Bayelsa State’s significant development and economic progress. He noted that the state was diversifying beyond crude oil and gas, which include agriculture, fishery, and sports, crucial to the state’s prosperity.

The event was attended by other dignitaries, including Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Monday Onyeme, and former Military Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.