January 14, (THEWILL) – Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has declared that the numerous infrastructure projects initiated by his administration are dispelling the long-held belief that the state’s challenging terrain hinders development.
From major road networks to bridges across creeks and rivers, as well as significant physical structures, Diri emphasized that his administration is reshaping Bayelsa’s developmental narrative.
The governor made the comments on Tuesday during an inspection of ongoing projects in the New Yenagoa City and the Okaka Housing Estate.
In his address, Diri insisted that his government’s focus on building a new, planned city was a testament to the fact that the state’s terrain is not an impediment to development.
He specifically urged Bayelsans living outside the state to reject the narrative that Bayelsa’s geography is too difficult for sustainable progress.
“Those who said our terrain is difficult and impossible to develop, I am happy to say that we are subduing it.
“This is not a terrain that is too difficult for anybody to develop. We are dispelling that myth, and I am proud that we are putting the records straight about the history of developing this land,” Diri said.
He further highlighted that the New Yenagoa City’s legislators and commissioners quarters were prime examples of the progress his administration was making in transforming the state.
The governor expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing work and revealed that these projects would be commissioned during the state’s anniversary celebrations in February.
“This is one of the signature projects we plan to commission during our anniversary in February. We are building a new Bayelsa, a planned city here in Yenagoa,” Diri added.
Diri also took pride in the fact that his administration had completed several large-scale projects without resorting to loans or external borrowing, relying solely on the state’s monthly allocations.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, assured that the new House of Assembly quarters would be completed on schedule for the anniversary celebrations.
“My target is the last day of January, and I am confident that this project will be delivered. We are working on Saturdays and Sundays to ensure timely completion,” Teibowei said.
Addressing the Okaka Housing Estate, Diri noted that the one-bedroom housing unit project was originally initiated during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan when he served as governor of Bayelsa.
However, the project had been abandoned for years before his administration took it up again to ensure its completion.
“We will continue with the housing projects for all Bayelsans, and we are committed to providing homes for our people,” Diri said.
Also speaking, Rt. Hon. Tonye Isenah, Managing Director of the Bayelsa State Housing and Property Development Authority, confirmed that 48 one-bedroom flats had been completed out of the 192 flats planned for the Okaka Estate.
He revealed that the project was being executed through direct labour.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
