Bayelsa Poll: Gov Diri Assures Southern Ijaw Of More Projects

Bayelsa State governor Douye Diri has assured the people of Southern Ijaw that apart from the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road, his administration would commence and complete the road from Toru-Ebeni in Sagbama local government area linking Ogboinbiri-Ekeni-Ezetu communities in the area.

Governor Diri, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 11 governorship election, visited Southern Ijaw communities of Ukubie, Ogboinbiri, Korokorosei and Olugbobiri in continuation of his re-election campaigns on Wednesday.

At Ukubie, headquarters of Southern Ijaw constituency 4, the governor said the road project would be included in the state’s 2024 budget.

He, however, directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to immediately commence the clearing of the road.

The Toru-Ebeni Road, which was initiated by former president Goodluck Jonathan, when he was governor of the state, was inherited by Senator Seriake Dickson, who continued the project and constructed the Toru-Ebeni Bridge.

After inspecting the Ukubie community hospital, governor Diri directed the commissioner for health to immediately assess the health facility and carry out renovation works.

Responding to their requests, the state’s helmsman promised to build a pavilion in the community as well as convey their request for establishment of a police station to the appropriate authorities.

He said, “This constituency needs development and what will facilitate it is the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Bayelsa Central Senatorial Road as well as the Toru-Ebeni-Ogboinbiri-Ekeni-Ezetu Road.”

Diri urged the people to continue to support his administration, adding that more people from the local government will also benefit from the government’s empowerment schemes.

He said the recent beneficiaries of the government’s skills acquisition training will get their starter packs before next month’s election.

The chairman of the Bayelsa Internal Revenue Board and coordinator of the PDP Campaign Council in the Bayelsa Central senatorial district, Prof Nimbofa Ayaowei, said the people were prepared to cast their votes for the party to retain the governorship seat.

At Ogboinbiri, Senator Diri inaugurated a market, a constituency project undertaken by former speaker and incumbent senator representing Bayelsa Central, Dr Konbowei Benson.

At Korokorosei community, the governor spoke through his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stating that it was only the PDP that gave their son, Benson, the opportunity to serve as speaker of the House of Assembly for three terms as well as appointed others into positions of trust.

The director-general of the Bayelsa PDP Campaign Council, Dr Mitema Obordor, said Diri deserved to be re-elected as his administration was spreading the message of peace, unity, development and prosperity through laudable projects, policies and programmes.

The state party chairman, Mr Solomon Agwana, received scores of All Progressives Congress (APC) defectors to the PDP at the rally.