Bayelsa’s Growth Impressive, Say Reps Speaker, Plateau Gov

…We’ll Do More With Increased Derivation — Diri

 It was commendations for the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Friday, as both the Speaker of the House of Represen­tatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, inaugurated projects in continuation of Diri’s fifth an­niversary celebrations.

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.

Abbas said Bayelsa under Diri had witnessed remarkable prog­ress in infrastructure, healthcare, human capacity development and other areas of development, describing the legislators quarters project as a powerful demonstra­tion of the government’s resolve to deliver only the best to the people.

He stated that the inauguration was not only a celebration of the governor’s accomplishments, but also a reflection of his vision and dedication to the development of the state.

His words: “Your leadership style, magnanimity, inclusivity and a strong sense of purpose has set a standard worthy of your ad­ministration. These quarters are a symbol of the confidence placed in you by the people of Bayelsa.”

Speaking also, Governor Douye Diri said the New Yenagoa City was well-planned and that devel­opers of property must follow the plan.

He emphasised 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.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibo­wei, said the quarters comprised of 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.

He added that the construction was awarded to an indigenous con­struction company that delivered the project on schedule.

While inaugurating the road project, Governor Caleb Mutwang expressed excitement about Bayel­sa’s pace of development.

He said: “God did not make a mistake in making Diri the ‘Mir­acle Governor’ of Bayelsa State. It has been five years of miracles because Diri has been a beneficia­ry of God’s miracles. I am excited to see the development of Bayelsa State.

“I started coming to Bayelsa State in 1993 when I picked a wife from here. So I know what Bayel­sa looked like many years back and what it is looking like today. I want to appreciate God for the tre­mendous progress that has been made.”

The Plateau governor an­nounced a donation of N15 mil­lion to the Onuebum and Otuoke communities as well as students of the Federal University, Otuoke.

Governor Diri, at the event, restated his call for an increase in 13 per cent derivation to oil-produc­ing sates.

According to him, the excuse over the years had been that the state’s terrain was too difficult to develop, but noted that if the resources deposited in Bayelsa were properly utilised, they were enough to develop the state.

Diri explained that he took interest in the Onuebum-Otuoke road because of what the people suffered during flood seasons.

He also stated that it would have been a disservice for him to leave government without rehabilitat­ing the road due to its importance to the community of the former president, students of the federal university, and Bayelsa East in general.

He said: “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.

“We are not saying we want all. We are ready to share with the rest of the country but give us above 13 per cent. The Constitution states that 13 per cent is the minimum. So, I’m calling on our representa­tives in the National Assembly that it is time to change that minimum.

“This is why I commend this federal government on the tax reform bill. We as a state support it 100 per cent. We have made our position known through our repre­sentatives in the National Assem­bly and it is that the proposed 60 or 30 per cent VAT increase should be extended to every other area, in­cluding oil and gas.

“By the time our derivation is increased, we will not be construct­ing a single lane to Otuoke or Brass but double lanes.“

Teibowei said the road was constructed in fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promise to improve connectivity across com­munities.

According to him, 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.

“The project was awarded in February 2023 after it was dam­aged during the 2022 floods, render­ing it completely impassable. But it has been completed and the firm, Paache Construction Company Ltd, has been fully paid.”

In an address presented by Chief Elliot Osomu, the Otuoke commu­nity expressed gratitude to the Diri administration for constructing the road, which he said had been raised above the flood level.

The community also appreciat­ed the government for transform­ing the Dame Patience Jonathan Square and for the appointment of their sons and daughters.

President of the Students Union Government, Federal Uni­versity, Otuoke, Comrade Silas Ni­mibofa, commended the governor for the road, which he said had re­duced crime, provided alternative route and helped to reduce trans­portation cost.

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.