December 28, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to road infrastructure development, emphasising its importance in connecting the state’s riverine local government headquarters and addressing long-standing challenges of accessibility.
Diri disclosed this on Thursday when he received the Friends of Senator Douye Diri at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
He explained that the decision to prioritize roads and bridges stemmed from personal experiences and the need to alleviate the difficulties faced by rural communities.
“I knew how we suffered during the burial of my mother at Ayamasa. We had to go through Bomadi in Delta State—it was almost a day’s journey. But today, it takes only about an hour from the state capital to Ayamasa in Ekeremor Local Government Area,” he said.
Diri added that the ongoing construction of critical road projects, such as the road to Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, would be completed before the end of his administration.
“Nembe is accessible, and so is Ekeremor, but areas like Brass and Ukubie remain without road links. By the time we connect these areas, we would have solved half of our developmental problems,” he stated.
On power infrastructure, Diri revealed that the state had signed an agreement to acquire a 60-megawatt gas turbine to ensure stable electricity supply across the state.
The independent power plant, he noted, would significantly boost the economy and improve the living standards of Bayelsans.
The governor also urged members of FSDD and the larger populace to support his administration’s initiatives on agriculture and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), stressing the importance of self-reliance.
“It is impossible to give everyone political appointments, but we can redirect our mindset toward small businesses and other productive ventures,” Diri said, appealing to Bayelsans to prioritize peace and development over blackmail and propaganda.
Elder Braeyi Ekiye, the spokesman for FSDD, commended the governor for his focused leadership, which he said had fostered peace and sustainable development in the state.
Ekiye highlighted the administration’s achievements, particularly in the construction of the three senatorial roads, as evidence of good governance.
Similarly, Prince Bodi Arerebo, President of FSDD, expressed the group’s unwavering support for the Diri-led administration, noting that their visit was both to celebrate the Yuletide season and to appreciate the governor’s efforts in transforming Bayelsa State.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
