Diri Eulogises Bayelsa Founding Fathers, Says State Has Made Progress At 30
…Says Roads, Power, Jobs Remain Priorities
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has paid tribute to the founding fathers of the state, saying Bayelsa has recorded significant progress since its creation 30 years ago.
Diri stated this in a live broadcast on Thursday to mark the 30th anniversary of Bayelsa State and Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Bayelsa State was created on October 1, 1996, by the then Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha, following years of agitation by the Ijaw people for greater recognition and political representation within the Nigerian federation.
The governor said the twin anniversary offered an opportunity to honour those who laid the foundation for the state and reflect on what the present generation would leave behind.
According to him, the creation of Bayelsa was the outcome of years of advocacy, petitions, protests, prayers and sacrifices by generations of Ijaw people seeking justice, recognition and a greater voice in the Nigerian project.
Diri also recalled the creation of the old Rivers State from the former Eastern Region in 1967, describing it as a significant milestone in the struggle that was largely spearheaded by the Ijaws and eventually culminated in the creation of Bayelsa 29 years later.
He acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices of several prominent figures in the struggle for the state's creation, including Major Isaac Boro, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Chief Melford Okilo, Pa Ernest Ikoli, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Dr. Lambert Eradiri, Chief N.A. Frank Opigo, Senator Amatari Zuofa, Dr. Amba Ambaiowei, T.K. Ogoriba, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Chief Dan Etete, Vice Admiral Victor Ombu and Rear Admiral W.G. Yanga, among others.
He said the sacrifices of the founding fathers had imposed an enduring responsibility on the present generation to build a better Bayelsa.
“Some gave their time. Some gave their resources. Some gave their liberty. Some paid the ultimate price. To all of them, we owe an enduring debt of gratitude,” he said.
The governor noted that Bayelsa inherited significant challenges at creation, including difficult terrain, inadequate infrastructure, poor connectivity, a fragile economic base and the need to deliberately develop Yenagoa as the state capital.
He, however, said the establishment of an international airport, universities and polytechnics, roads and bridges, as well as increased federal presence, had transformed the state from its humble beginnings.
Diri acknowledged the contributions of successive administrations to the development of Bayelsa, stressing that development was a continuum and that the progress recorded by the state belonged to everyone who had served and sacrificed for it.
He said his administration was consolidating on the foundations laid by previous governments through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, power and human capital development.
On infrastructure, the governor said the three senatorial roads were receiving renewed attention, while the state's Independent Power Project was being expanded from 60 megawatts to 100 megawatts.
He also disclosed that work was progressing on the 30,000-capacity stadium and the nine-storey state secretariat complex.
Diri said his administration remained committed to completing inherited projects, stressing that scarce public resources must be channelled towards projects with significant benefits for the people.
“Much has been achieved, and much remains unfinished. Our roads must reach every corner of the state. Our power supply must grow to match our ambitions. And our young people must find real opportunities to work, to build and to prosper.
“As we celebrate 30 years of Bayelsa State, let us not merely look back with pride. Let us look forward with purpose,” he said.
Speaking during a live media chat after the anniversary broadcast, Diri fielded questions from journalists on a wide range of issues, including his administration's achievements, infrastructure, electricity, industrialisation and employment generation.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the progress made towards his administration's vision of placing Bayelsa on the path of industrialisation.
On electricity, he assured residents that power supply would reach more communities once the distribution network was adequately developed, while urging consumers to be prepared to pay for the electricity they consume.
Diri described the journey to statehood as a long struggle for identity, independence and space within the Nigerian project, noting that some people paid the supreme price in the course of the struggle.
He identified road infrastructure as one of the major investments of his administration, recalling that at the creation of the state, only the headquarters of the present Sagbama, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ogbia and Yenagoa local government areas were accessible by road.
According to him, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor and Nembe local government areas have now been connected to Yenagoa, resulting in reduced travel time, improved security and increased socioeconomic activities.
The governor specifically cited the 630-metre bridge across River Nun to Oporoma as an example of a project that had demonstrated that difficult terrain should not be regarded as an insurmountable obstacle to development.
“These local government headquarters cannot be allowed to be exploited the way they have been exploited. If everybody thought that constructing a 630-metre bridge across River Nun to Oporoma was an impossibility, we have proved and will continue to prove that it is not an impossibility,” he said.
“Today, the people of Oporoma, the people of Southern Ijaw, are happy. The economic benefits are enormous. There are security benefits, economic benefits, political benefits, and social benefits of road infrastructure.”
On job creation and public-private partnerships, Diri said his administration was investing in aquaculture through the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village at Yenegwe, while also harnessing the potential of agriculture and the blue economy to create employment opportunities.
He urged young people to acquire relevant skills rather than depend solely on white-collar employment, disclosing that underwater welding would be introduced into the curriculum of the state's technical colleges and other higher institutions.
“Underwater welding should be introduced to our vocational and technical schools, and to our higher institutions. The blue economy is a huge one. We have already started with the Agge Sea Port,” Diri said.
He said his administration had established links with the Federal Government on the development of deep seaports, noting that Bayelsa's geographical location and access to the Atlantic Ocean offered significant opportunities for economic development.
“Our wealth is actually in the Atlantic Ocean, and you know all our three senatorial roads lead to the Atlantic Ocean,” the governor added.
