Diri Has Done Enough To Secure Second Term – Kolawole Oredipe

The Director of New Media to the Bayelsa State Government, Dr. Kola Oredipe has applauded Governor Douye Diri for the laudable projects in the state, stressing that he has done much to earn a second term in office.

He made this known yesterday at a parley with members of the Federated Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State Council in Yenagoa.

Kola emphasized that within the last three years in office, the governor had embarked on key infrastructural projects and developmental sectors, such as road construction, education, security and welfare of civil servants and pensioners in the state.

He stated that with over eighty percent in performance in major socio-economic sectors so far, Governor Diri is poised for victory for a second term in the November 11th gubernatorial election in the state.

“I can tell you categorically that if the gubernatorial election is conducted today, Governor Douye Diri will win in all the eight local government areas of the state, regardless of where the other candidates come from.

“The Bayelsa developmental project is very key to Governor Douye Diri, and he feels very strongly about it.

“He restored peace and order in the state on assumption in office.

“In infrastructure such as roads, education, sports, empowerment and skill acquisition programmes, which most Bayelsans have benefited in the last few years.

“Wherever you go, everybody is singing Governor Douye Diri for second term, having been a public servant, teacher, private businessman and rich experience in politics.

“Diri has served as a Commissioner, Deputy Chief of Staff, Principal Executive Secretary, House of Reps Member, Senator and currently a Governor.

“It is not surprising that he has being able to achieve a lot with so much wealth of knowledge and experience in leadership in the past few decades,” Kola said.

Kola pointed out accomplishments in critical projects, such as the Nembe Unity Bridge, Elebele Bridge, Imiringi Bridge, and the ongoing construction of the Nembe-Brass Road, the Yenagoa-Oporoma road.

“Accreditation has been done in the following higher institutions; the Bayelsa State College of Education (Sagbama) and the Niger Delta University (Amassoma), which the governor has fast tracked the development of the state.

Kola said with the prevailing peace across the state, more investments are underway to access the Blue Economy through the Ocean via the three senatorial district roads that will give access to the sea.

While responding to questions from the correspondents, he said Governor Douye Diri had directed the redesign, reconstruction and rehabilitation of some internal roads with drainages, as work would soon commence on such roads like Okaka, PDP and others.

Kola while addressing the issue of perennial flood disaster in the state, stated that the governor had created a Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment to prepare adequate response to flood disaster by opening up blocked drains, canals and water channels.

He further explained that the administration had committed funds to address the erosion threat at Obogoro Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the State.

Kola while responding to correspondents on Tourism, stated that the governor was considering constructing a new recreational centre in Yenagoa to enable travellers and tourists have a place to relax, stressing that there is thriving nightlife in the state capital.

On the report by the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission that was released recently in London; Kola commended the immediate past Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson for initiating the idea of the commission to stop the environmental genocide in the state.

Kola said the report of the commission highlighted that Bayelsa State is the most polluted area in the world due to the negligence of the multinational oil companies.

He further stated that the findings of the commission were shocking, as the state is experiencing a spillage in every twelve hours for the fourteen years.

Kola pointed out the great need for immediate clean up of the affected areas by the oil spillage over the years, urging oil companies to take drastic actions in mitigating oil spillage in the state.