Prosperity Govt @5: Gov. Mutfwang Inaugurates Onuebum-Otuoke Rd

By Preye Bagou, Yenagoa

…As Gov. Diri Calls for Increment of VAT to Oil & Gas Sector

Plateau State Governor, Mr. Caleb Mutfwang, on Thursday, 13th of February, 2025, inaugurated the reconstructed 6.5km Onuebum-Otuoke road, as part of activities lined up to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Prosperity Administration.

In his speech at the ceremony in Otuoke Community in Ogbia LGA of the State, Governor Mutfwang, who was impressed with the level of development in the state, commended his Bayelsa counterpart for embarking on people-oriented projects.

He eulogized the governor on the infrastructural development in the state, especially the tremendous transformation witnessed in road infrastructure, education, security, sports and healthcare in the state.

While inaugurating the road project, Governor Caleb Mutwang expressed excitement about Bayelsa’s pace of development.

He said: “God did not make a mistake in making Diri the ‘Miracle Governor’ of Bayelsa State. It has been five years of miracles because Diri has been a beneficiary of God’s miracles. I am excited to see the development of Bayelsa State.

“I started coming to Bayelsa State in 1993 when I picked a wife from here. So I know what Bayelsa looked like many years back and what it is looking like today. I want to appreciate God for the tremendous progress that has been made.”

The Plateau governor announced a donation of N15 million to the Onuebum and Otuoke communities as well as students of the Federal University, Otuoke.

Speaking earlier, Governor Douye Diri, who harped on the importance of the tax reforms bills of the federal government, noted that the bills would change the revenue of the state when passed into law, and assented by the President.

“There is little I will say about the Onuebum-Otuoke road; as you have seen the pictures, and I know the suffering that was going on here, and when I saw the level of suffering, we decided that this road will be reconstructed,” he added.

The state helmsman said the project executed was a demonstration of his desire to improve the well-being of the people of Onuebum-Otuoke, including neighboring communities and the state at large.

Governor Diri, at the event, restated his call for an increase in 13 per cent derivation to oil-producing sates.

According to him, the excuse over the years had been that the state’s terrain was too difficult to develop, but noted that if the resources deposited in Bayelsa were properly utilised, they were enough to develop the state.

Diri explained that he took interest in the Onuebum-Otuoke road because of what the people suffered during flood seasons.

He also stated that it would have been a disservice for him to leave government without rehabilitating the road due to its importance to the community of the former president, students of the federal university, and Bayelsa East in general.

He said: “We have difficulty but we have taken our destiny into our hands. That is why we tell the rest of the country that our terrain is not too difficult to develop. The resources are there. We only have to harness them justifiably and equitably.

“We are not saying we want all. We are ready to share with the rest of the country but give us above 13 per cent. The Constitution states that 13 per cent is the minimum. So, I’m calling on our representatives in the National Assembly that it is time to change that minimum.

“This is why I commend this federal government on the tax reform bill. We as a state support it 100 per cent. We have made our position known through our representatives in the National Assembly and it is that the proposed 60 or 30 per cent VAT increase should be extended to every other area, including oil and gas.

“By the time our derivation is increased, we will not be constructing a single lane to Otuoke or Brass but double lanes.“

Teibowei said the road was constructed in fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promise to improve connectivity across communities.

According to him, the Onuebum-Otuoke road is a single carriageway measuring approximately 6.5km with six culverts, a sand-filling height of approximately 2 metres and a width of 7.3 metres.

“The project was awarded in February 2023 after it was damaged during the 2022 floods, rendering it completely impassable. But it has been completed and the firm, Paache Construction Company Ltd, has been fully paid.”

In an address presented by Chief Elliot Osomu, the Otuoke community expressed gratitude to the Diri administration for constructing the road, which he said had been raised above the flood level.

The community also appreciated the government for transforming the Dame Patience Jonathan Square and for the appointment of their sons and daughters.

President of the Students Union Government, Federal University, Otuoke, Comrade Silas Nimibofa, commended the governor for the road, which he said had reduced crime, provided alternative route and helped to reduce transportation cost.

Reporting: Hot News Reporters