Governor Diri disclosed that his administration is laying a solid foundation to position the state for industrialisation by investing heavily in road infrastructure and working towards stabilising power.
He mentioned that the state government has entered into a partnership with a private firm to rehabilitate and expand the capacity of the gas turbine at Imiringi in the Ogbia Local Government Area.
The Bayelsa Governor spoke on Saturday at Amassoma at the palace of the monarch of the Ogboin clan, King Oweipa Jones-Ere, as he rounded off his four-day re-election campaigns in communities across the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
He emphasised that while it is the responsibility of the government to provide the enabling environment through the provision of basic infrastructure, private sector partnership and investment are equally important in fostering a viable economy.
He further stated that it is not the sole duty of the state government to industrialise the state.
He said, “Our state is yet to industrialise and is still heavily dependent on the government. It will take some time for us to become an industrialised state.
“A lot of people think it is the government that actually industrialises a state. A thousand times no. The government only provides the enabling environment for private capital and partnerships with the government to industrialise. By God’s grace, we will get there.”
The Governor thanked King Jones-Ere for his leadership style that ensured peace in the kingdom that hosts the state’s pioneer tertiary institution, Niger Delta University at Amassoma.
Speaking through the spokesperson of the Council of Chiefs, Chief Albert Karikarisei, the monarch congratulated the governor for achieving almost 100 per cent success in his first tenure and prayed that his journey to the second tenure would be smooth.
A highlight of the governor’s visit was the presentation of a giant umbrella, symbolising the king’s protection of the governor throughout his campaigns.
The Governor earlier visited HRH Godwill Akedesuo, Birinanaowei of Alomu, and Acting Amananaowei of Amassoma, as well as inaugurated the remodelled community town hall, a constituency project of Mr Bonny Ayah, the member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly.
The Governor’s campaign trail moved to the Amassoma civic centre, where it was received by a mammoth crowd of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters.
Governor Diri listed some of his achievements, including the recent reinstatement of over 600 staff of the NDU, who were largely from the community.
He clarified that he was not in Amassoma to campaign but to identify with his people, who had always demonstrated love for him and the PDP. He thanked them for standing by his government.
Various political leaders from Amassoma and the local government area, including the Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Dr Konbowei Benson, the member representing Southern Ijaw in the House of Representatives, Rodney Ambaiowei, Mr Bonny Ayah, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Keme Wariebi, his Budget and Economic Planning counterpart, Chief Akpoebide Alamieyeseigha, Chief Abel Ebifemowei, and Chief Joseph Akedesuo, among others, all delivered solidarity messages and assured the governor of massive support and votes in the community and the local government.
Earlier at Otuan, Diri stated that the community would be linked by road through the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma road and that his administration had already installed solar-powered lights and renovated the community school.
He also directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to immediately ensure the continuation and completion of the internal concrete road project in the town. He stressed that his government is community-friendly and would not abandon rural dwellers.
The campaign trail also stopped at the Amatolo community, where Diri directed the installation of solar lights across the town and assured that the Toru-Ebeni road project, which had already been awarded, would connect Amatolo to the rest of the state.
In his welcome address, the Amananaowei of the Amatolo community, Chief Orubiri Navy, thanked the Governor for appointing sons and daughters of the community into his government and for directing the repair of the community’s power generation plant.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM TheWitness
How Sunday Igboho got his freedom — Prof Akintoye
The leader of Ilana Omo Oodua, a self determination movement for Yoruba nation, Professor Banji Akintoye, on Saturday, declared that…
FULL LIST: 43 items that are no longer contraband for importation
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has removed restrictions on the importation of all 43 items that…
How N16 almost made me to drop out of school —Prof Ogundana
Celina Folakemi Ogundana, an academic and professor of Sociology, is the…
I don’t have billionaire boyfriend, I lied —Mercy Eke
Former Big Brother Naija winner, Mercy Eke, has set the record straight by admitting that she…
Kenyan authorities arrest fake lawyer who won 26 cases in court
Kenyan authorities have arrested a fake lawyer, Brian Mwenda, who has won 26 cases while parading…
2023 AFCON: Super Eagles will be difficult opponent for Cote d’Ivoire — Drogba
Cote d’Ivoire legend Didier Drogba has predicted a difficult duel against the Super Eagles of…
