Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed disappointment at the state of facilities in some public schools in the state. This came after an unscheduled visit to Saint Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata-Yenagoa, and the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, noted that Governor Diri directed the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, to immediately address dilapidated structures in schools across the state. The governor also expressed concern over the absence of sporting facilities, uncompleted dining hall, and the state of hostels at the Ijaw National Academy. Alabrah stated that Governor Diri restated his administration’s commitment to developing the education sector, given its importance to nation-building.

Daniel Alabrah stated that Governor Diri will undertake more unscheduled visits to schools and other government departments to see things for himself. He called on relevant officials to take maintenance of public facilities more seriously. Governor Diri said, “I have been to Saint Jude’s and I am here at the Ijaw National Academy. I am not satisfied with what I have seen… If schools that are in the urban, motorable areas are in this state, how would those in the rural, riverine communities be like?”

Alabrah noted that the governor, who was a teacher, returned to the classroom at the Ijaw National Academy to teach senior secondary students preparing for Government as a subject in the upcoming WASC examination. Alabrah stated that Governor Diri directed the Commissioner for Education to ensure that the Ijaw National Academy is rehabilitated and that the completed basketball court be handed over to the school authorities in Saint Jude’s by Friday.