Ikuli Hails Diri's Six-Year Record, Describes Him As 'Lee Kuan Yew Of Our Time'

The Technical Adviser to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, has praised Governor Douye Diri's leadership, describing him as "the Lee Kuan Yew of our time" and the chief proponent of an industrial revolution in Bayelsa State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ikuli said Governor Diri's six-year administration had transformed Bayelsa from a state often associated with insecurity and poor infrastructure into one witnessing significant progress in road development, security, economic growth, sports, education and industrialisation.

According to him, before the inception of the current administration, much of Bayelsa's hinterland was accessible only by waterways due to the absence of roads and bridges. He, however, maintained that the Diri administration has connected a large portion of the state through strategic road and bridge projects, opening up communities in Southern Ijaw, Nembe, Brass and Ekeremor Local Government Areas.

The governor's aide also credited the administration with improving security across the state, stating that Bayelsa has become one of the safest states in Nigeria through a policy of zero tolerance for crime and criminality. He added that improved street lighting in Yenagoa and its environs has extended commercial activities well into the night, creating a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

Ikuli further highlighted the completion of the state's 60-megawatt gas turbine project, describing it as a major milestone expected to attract investors, businesses and residents to Bayelsa.

He also identified the ongoing Nembe-Brass Road and Ekeremor-Agge Road projects as critical infrastructure that will unlock the state's vast coastal economic potential by supporting maritime trade, logistics, fishing, hospitality and other industries.

The statement listed several landmark projects executed under the Diri administration, including the development of the New Yenagoa City, the Angiama-Oporoma Bridge and adjoining road network, the Polaku-Sabageria Road, the Igbedi Road, the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road, the Onopa-New Yenagoa City Link Road, the Bayelsa International Airport access corridor, the ongoing 30,000-capacity FIFA-standard stadium and the nine-storey State Secretariat complex.

Ikuli further noted that the administration has constructed numerous rigid pavement roads across urban and rural communities, while also investing heavily in technical education and sports development.

According to him, Bayelsa is positioning itself to produce skilled artisans, medical professionals and other manpower capable of contributing to both the national and international workforce.

Describing Governor Diri's administration as focused, purposeful and intentional, Ikuli argued that the achievements recorded within six years justify comparing the governor to Singapore's founding leader, Lee Kuan Yew, whom he credited with driving rapid socio-economic transformation.

He called on Bayelsans to continue supporting the governor and to pray for the success of his administration as it pursues its development agenda.