SPEAKER OF HOUSE OF REPS, GOVERNOR MUFTWANG SAYS BAYELSA’S GROWTH IMPRESSIVE, AS GOVERNOR DIRI SAYS HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL DO MORE WITH INCREASED DERIVATION

Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has commended Governor Douye Diri’s administrations drive in transforming Bayelsa State.

Hon. Abbas who gave the commendation when he inaugurated the newly-built Legislators Quarters in the New Yenagoa City, said Bayelsa under Governor Diri had witnessed remarkable progress in infrastructure, healthcare, human capacity development and other areas of development, describing the legislator’s quarters project as a powerful demonstration of the government’s resolve to deliver only the best to the people.

He stated that the inauguration was not only a celebration of the governor’s accomplishments, but also a reflection of his vision and dedication to the development of the state.

Governor Douye Diri said the New Yenagoa City was well-planned and that developers of property must follow the plan.

He emphasised that with the infrastructure put in place by his administration, Yenagoa was expanding and no longer what it used to be.

Governor Diri also issued a directive to the Ministry of Lands and Survey to acquire additional 360 hectares of land to be allocated to interested Bayelsans and other individuals.

ESV Moses Teibowei, The State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, said the quarters comprised of 30 units of duplexes made up of one unit of five-bedroom duplex for the Speaker while 29 units of four-bedroom duplexes for the other legislators.

He added that the construction was awarded to an indigenous construction company that delivered the project on schedule.

In a related development, Governor Douye Diri, has restated his call for an increase in 13 per cent derivation to oil-producing states.

Governor Diri made the call in his remarks during the inauguration of the Onuebum-Otuoke Road, at Otuoke Community in Ogbia, Local Government Area of the State.

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 utilized, they were enough to develop the state.

Governor 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.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State who was visibly elated with the development in the State, while inaugurating the Onuebum-Otuoke Road, commended Governor Douye Diri for embarking on people’s-oriented Programmes, specifically on the transformation witnessed in road infrastructure, education and the health sector.

The Plateau governor announced a donation of 15 million naira to the Onuebum and Otuoke communities as well as students of the Federal University, Otuoke.

ESV Moses Teibowei, the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, 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.

In an address presented by Chief Elliot Osomu, the Otuoke community expressed gratitude to the Governor 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.

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

Correspondent Isaac Eyedoude reports that Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Monday Oyeme, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, the former Deputy Governor of Edo State as well as other top government functionaries, traditional rulers, among others were all present at the event.