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GOV DIRI A UNIQUE UNIFIER, SAYS FORMER FIRST LADY

Wife of former Nigerian president, Dame Patience Jonathan, has described Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, as a leader who has worked tirelessly to unify the state politically. Speaking during the 5th anniversary dinner of the Senator Diri administration, Dame Jonathan noted that since Diri assumed office, there has been unity among past and present leaders of the state across party lines. The Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, issued a statement on the event, which took place at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa on Friday night. In the statement, Dame Jonathan expressed delight over the presence of leaders of the state at the dinner despite political differences, saying it was a testament to the governor’s peaceful and accommodating disposition. Alabrah stated that Dame Jonathan stressed the need for people of the state to close ranks and support the administration, saying a state divided against itself cannot develop. In a goodwill message, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, praised Diri’s performance, saying he would have been surprised if the governor had performed less than he had done. Alabrah noted that the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, commended Diri for taking the Bayelsa West Senatorial road to Ekeremor main town, saying he can now drive to his village with ease. Daniel Alabrah stated that Governor Douye Diri restated his call on people of the state to unite despite party affiliations to be able to build a greater Bayelsa. Diri said, “All the previous speakers have said it all. So, all I will say is that we need to unite as a state to make progress. “As our mother (Dame Jonathan) had said, once a governor emerges, we all need to rally round and support him to succeed. As a result of your support and the peace we have in Bayelsa, we have been able to achieve so much. “My dear leaders, we need to downplay the divisive politics we play. Let us have leaders that will not sacrifice blood. The era of killing in Bayelsa is over. Let us look unto God who gives power.”

BAYELSA STATE RECORDS REMARKABLE PROGRESS UNDER GOVERNOR DIRI

Bayelsa State has witnessed significant development in various sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, and human capacity development, under the leadership of Governor Douye Diri. This was evident during the inauguration of projects in continuation of Diri’s fifth anniversary celebrations, where the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, commended the governor’s efforts. The Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, said Hon. Abbas inaugurated the newly-built legislators’ quarters in the New Yenagoa City, while Mutfwang inaugurated the reconstructed Onuebum-Otuoke road, linking former President Goodluck Jonathan’s community, Otuoke. Alabrah stated that Abbas described the legislators’ quarters project as a powerful demonstration of the government’s resolve to deliver only the best to the people. “Your leadership style, magnanimity, inclusivity and a strong sense of purpose has set a standard worthy of your administration,” Abbas said. Governor Diri emphasized that the New Yenagoa City was well-planned, and developers of property must follow the plan. He noted that with the infrastructure put in place by his administration, Yenagoa was expanding and no longer what it used to be. Diri also issued a directive to the Ministry of Lands and Survey to acquire additional 360 hectares of land to be allocated to interested Bayelsans and other individuals. Alabrah noted that the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, said the quarters comprised 30 units of duplexes made up of one unit of five-bedroom duplex for the Speaker while 29 units of four-bedroom duplexes for the other legislators. Daniel Alabrah stated that Governor Caleb Mutfwang expressed excitement about Bayelsa’s pace of development, saying, “God did not make a mistake in making Diri the ‘Miracle Governor’ of Bayelsa State.” Mutfwang announced a donation of N15 million to the Onuebum and Otuoke communities as well as students of the Federal University, Otuoke. Governor Diri restated his call for an increase in 13 per cent derivation to oil-producing states. “We have difficulty but we have taken our destiny into our hands. That is why we tell the rest of the country that our terrain is not too difficult to develop. The resources are there. We only have to harness them justifiably and equitably,” Diri said. Alabrah noted that Diri explained that he took interest in the Onuebum-Otuoke road because of what the people suffered during flood seasons. Daniel Alabrah stated that the road was constructed in fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promise to improve connectivity across communities. According to Alabrah, the Onuebum-Otuoke road is a single carriageway measuring approximately 6.5km with six culverts, a sand-filling height of approximately 2 metres and a width of 7.3 metres. Present at the event were the wife of the governor, Dr. Gloria Diri, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Monday Oyeme, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah, and his Edo State counterpart, Philip Shuaibu.

BAYELSA GOVERNOR DIRI MARKS 5TH ANNIVERSARY, UNVEILS IMPRESSIVE SCORECARD

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.