Governor Diri’s Development Stride in Bayelsa

Jerry Cliff writes about the move by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa state to ensure safety and unity of the people since he assumed duties over two years ago

When Senator DouyeDiri took over the mantle of leadership in February 14, 2020 as governor of Bayelsa State, he made it loud and clear to those who care to listen that security and unity of the State would be top on his development agenda.

Believing in the school of thought, that there is a strong nexus between security and development on one hand and uniting the people for the task of purposeful development on the other hand.

The first step he took towards that direction was the inauguration of a committee to bring security to the state capital as well as the grassroots in line with the much talked about community policing, with a robust all-inclusive security arrangment.

This was followed by reinvigorating the security architecture by collapsing the two existing security outfits codenamed, Operation Doo-Akpo and the Bayelsa Volunteers into one operation through the recent signing into law in what is known as the Community Safety Corps Bill.

He used the occasion to commission 50 state-of-the-art brand new operational vehicles, 40 motorbikes and security gadgets. While warning criminals to steer clear of the state, the governor emphasized the fact that his administration’s priority is to ensure the prosperity of all, which cannot be achieved without security of lives and properties, noting that crime fighting is a collective effort and enjoined all hands to be on deck.

Towards achieving this noble objective, army of youth were recruited and trained to work with the Bayelsa Safety Corps basically to complement the conventional Police Force in nipping the security concerns of the state in the bud with good sense of synergy. The recruitment of more youth to that effect is still on going. 

In addition to that, the State government embarked on demolition of illegal and makeshift structures, which had become criminal hideouts and social nuisance. The demolition of these structures have not only improved on the security profile of the State but have also added aesthetic value to the urban renewal policy of the State government, thereby giving the State capital, Yenagoa, a befitting status.

Today, the popular Tombia-Edepie round about which was a haven of men of the underworld is wearing a new look, as it is fast transforming the State to a tourism delight and indeed one of the most peaceful States in the country.

This is a clear indication of governor Diri’s insightful understanding of the fact that there is an inseparable link between security and sustainable development.

On the other hand, promoting oneness and unity of purpose among Bayelsans, is one of the positive sides governor Diri has brought to bear in the governance of the state. Senator Diri, who is widely known as prosperity governor regards every part of Bayelsa as his primary constituency, regardless of political affiliations, an attribute which has endeared him to all and sundry in the state.

This is why it is no surprising, members of other political parties are embracing the ruling PDP in the State, because of this singular virtue of waving his sincere olive branch to all Bayelsans and others in the running of an all-inclusive administration in the State. He believes and has spoken in different fora that he has no enemies anywhere to contend with in the development of Bayelsa State, which is a virtue, according to governor Diri, was impacted in him by his late mother, Mrs Rose Diri.

He stated this at a memorial ceremony in honour of his late mother at Ayamasaa Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

According to him: “My mother had no enemies. That is why as a governor, I don’t have any enemies, because I learnt that from her… She was a mother to everybody… We should move away from abusing and pulling down one another”.

This free spirit in governance by the chief executive of the state is fast gaining momentum and changing the narratives of Bayelsa political story from that of hate and intolerance which had characterised the past to that of a flourishing love, peace and unity.

This new philosophy of development built on security and unity of purpose has placed the State on the fast lane of a new development narrative, based on the principle that development comes first before any other primordial political considerations. This is the reason Bayelsans have decided to embrace his bipartisan approach to governance.

Besides that, those who have watched closely with keen interest the Diri-led administration, have often described him as a good student of development studies. This is not far from the governor’s penchant for policy continuity in governance by resisting the mentality of abandoned project syndrome which is a common phenomenon in this part of the world. Moreso, his beliefs and actions being anchored on well established institutional policy framework have kept him focused.

He assured Bayelsans that he would spare no efforts to complete projects he inherited from his predecessors. This is a radical departure from the past particularly in some States, where abandoned projects are dotted across the landscape with resultant effects of economic wastages.

In Bayelsa State, governor Diri has sustained the mobilization of contractors to key project sites in the spirit of continuity. The continue work and construction of the new glory land drive from the gateway to government house at Onopa is a good instance. The project which was initiated by former governor Timipre Sylva, if eventually completed will open up massive development in that axis of the State.

Besides the completion of the International Cargo Airport started by his immediate predecessor, Chief Seriake Dickson, governor Diri has also mobilised contractors to complete the bridge linking two ancient towns of Basambiri and Ogbolomabiri, which construction stopped years ago.

Work has also commenced in earnest to construct the Elebelebridge which collapsed over a year ago. The bridge serves as a link leading to several communities in Ogbia area, as well as the entire Bayelsa East Senatorial district.

Another critical road governor Diri inherited is the ring-road connecting Opolo-Elebele to the gateway at Igbogene. If the project is completed, it will avert the one trunk-way road syndrome in the State capital, Yenagoa, and reduce traffic problems as well enhance the socio-economic lives of the people.

It is worthy to mention, that the Diri led government embarked on what is known as “Operation no pothole” by massive rehabilitation of internal roads in the Yenagoa metropolis, which were in a State of worry to road users. Governor Diri who rolled up his sleeves, believes in close supervision of projects in order to avoid excuses, by going out of the comfort of his office from time to time, to personally monitor construction and rehabilitation of the roads and other projects.

Today, residents in the State capital, Yenagoa are delighted at the no-pothole state of her internal roads and the approval of the state executive council to construct additional 22 internal roads.

According to a resident in Yenagoa, MrAbuleEbitei, “We are happy with the DouyeDiri government for the positive policy directions to transform states particularly in the rehabilitation of all the internal roads in the State Capital. Within this short time, he has impacted meaningfully to the admiration of the people”.

As heart-warming as it is, governor Diri is not resting on his oars as he has initiated the construction of major high-way from the airport road to Igbedi, a riverine community that had over the years accessible only by river, with the multiplier benefits of enhancing the social economic lives of the rural dwellers.

Meanwhile, he has mobilised fund to complete the Yenagoa-Oporoma road and work is ongoing in earnest. The desire to complete these projects is a clear demonstration of the governor’s political will and love for integrated rural development. Hence, he is leaving no stone unturned to link up most of the riverine communities by road in a state that is 75 percent marine. This is a no mean achievement given the paucity of fund and the environmental challenges of development in the deltaic area.

No doubt, these life transforming projects will go a long way to enhance socio-economic lives of the rural dwellers as well as reduce the problem of rural-urban drift.

In addition to that, the Diri led State Executive Council (SEC) have just approved the award of contract for the construction of twenty more internal roads in the state capital Yenagoa, same time the canalization of Ogbogoro river to save the community from devastating erosion hitting the community.

These are life transforming projects critical to the infrastructural concerns of the people and the urban renewal drive of the government.

-Cliff, a Public affairs analyst, Writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.