Reasons Why Gov. Douye Diri Cannot Control Prices Of Goods And Services In Bayelsa State.

By Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli

While I agree with the clamour for regulation of prices of commodities in Bayelsa State considering the skyrocketing prices of goods and services, Gov. Douye Diri’s constitution of Price Control Committee may end up as exercise in futility.

Gov. Douye Diri may wish to read about the Germany Economic Renaissance that helped to revive the German economy and the subsequent events that led to the Holocaust.

The German economy like that of Bayelsa state was completely in the hands of the Jews who controlled and determined everything that happened in Germany since economic power controls and supersedes political power, until Adolf Hitler came with his campaign that led to the rescue and revival of the German economy and made Germany the most industrious and greatest country in Europe before the outbreak of the Second World War (WW II).

As you read this post, the commerce and entire economy of Bayelsa State is in the hands of outsiders, non-Bayelsans.

Northerners are in-charge of Tricycles (Keke Napep) that are operating in Bayelsa State. They are also in charge of Water supply because they are the Water Vendors in the state and without them, Bayelsans cannot get water to drink, cook, bath or wash. They also dominate supply of Yam, Onions, Tomato, Carrot and other vegetables.

Yorubas are in-charge of inter-state Transport between Bayelsa and Rivers states. They are also in-charge of internal/intra bus and taxi transportation to all motorable towns and villages in Bayelsa state. They are the major Cow and Goat dealers/sellers. They control all the slaughters in Bayelsa state.

Deltans are in-charge of supply of Fish, Pork Meat, Garri and other Food stuffs in Bayelsa State.

Igbos are in-charge of the over all economy. They are in-charge of Building Materials, they own all the major Supermarkets, Boutiques, Furniture Houses, Electronics Shops, supply of wholesale Rice and other food stuffs, Fabrics, Kitchen Utensils, etc.

We may also want to know those who are the Managers of the few Hotels and Filling Stations that are owned by Bayelsans and other Ijaws in Bayelsa state?

“Bayelsans And The Entire Ijaw Nation Should Ask Ourselves The Sector Of The Economy That We Are In-Charge Considering The Fact That Larger Percentage Of Artisans In Bayelsa State Are Non-Bayelsan?”

Now, let us ask ourselves the bitter truth: can you regulate or control what you do not produce or own?

Gov. Douye Diri actually have the opportunity to lead the Economic Renaissance in Bayelsa State but I can make bold to say that he is failing in the above wise.

Why has Gov. Douye Diri failed to Revoke the purported Concessionaire Agreement of BAYELSA PALM where Henry Seriake Dickson handed over that Multi-Billion Naira Investment to three of his friends?

How much returns is that Bayelsa Palm Concession putting in the coffer of the state?

That Bayelsa Palm alone can generate Billions of Naira monthly for the state if it is handed over to Investors from Malaysia. It is general knowledge that the price of Palm Oil is far higher than those of Fuel and Diesel. Palm Oil is a scarce commodity especially when it is not readily produced or available in Northern part of the country and other areas thus depend largely on Palm Oil from the Niger Delta.

There are also several byproducts from Palm that will help to generate IGR for our great state.

Why has Gov. Douye Diri not brought in Concessionaires who will transform that EPIE CREEK? The companies will not collect a dime from the state government but will build a minimum of six Bridges, Canalize it and build beautiful Car Parks, Gardens, Eateries and employ Coast Guards and others. They will turn that Creek from its present sorry state to a Gold Mine. They will build manage those infrastructures for agreed period and then hand them over to the state. They will turn that Creek to a World Tourist Haven.

Why has Gov. Douye Diri not brought Investors from Norway, Netherlands and others who will open Fish Factories in Brass and Foropa area in Southern Ijaw LGA where they will produce Canned Seafoods and Smoked Fishes for Export to neighbouring states and countries?

Why has he not brought Investors that will open Factories to produce Glasses, Ceramics and other products since Bayelsa State has one of the best Sands in the world?

The truth is bitter but some of us will continue to speak truth to power. We must strive to overcome the present Consumer Economic Mindset in Bayelsa State.

The present flood that is ravaging and devastating everywhere in Bayelsa State should teach Gov. Douye Diri and other decision makers in the state that there is need to act fast. Bayelsa State is completely cut off from the rest of the world because of the inability of travelers to access the state from Delta and Rivers States which are the only entry points to the state.

How will Bayelsans survive in the cases of War and other disasters which can occur like this flood that was never envisaged even though NIMET warned about it?

Why is it that Bayelsa State Government has not considered embarking on Dredging and Reclamation projects?

Why is it that Gov. Douye Diri has not embarked on any major or legacy project that will make his administration distinct and very outstanding?

Bayelsans are very exposed people yet we behave as if we are not aware of the developmental strides in other states.

Just imagine the streets that we call Express. No government that is futuristic will build the kind of roads that we call express in Bayelsa state.

Gov. Douye Diri and his Media Aides should see this post as a Wake up call and not as an attack.