Diri proposes short, long-term development plans for Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has revealed that his administration is working on a short and long term development plan of between 10 and 30 years for the state.

He disclosed this at the weekend during the state’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary Dinner held at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, in Yenagoa, saying the plan would serve as a template for future administrations to consolidate upon and bequeath to their successors.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Daniel Alabrah, the governor said the task of achieving the plan would be the collective decision of all stakeholders.

His words: “The task of developing Bayelsa is a must and as a government, we will continue to listen to our people’s advice. We will continue to relate with all good-spirited Bayelsa citizens on our development plans.

“Bayelsa will have to develop a short and long term development plan. A short-term development plan of 10 years and a long term plan of 30 years.

“As a government, we cannot do that alone. We will fall back on you to achieve that plan so, at the end of the day, any governor that comes would not deviate from the development plan of our dear state.”

Diri advised Bayelsa people of different political persuasions to play the game with fairness and a mindset of putting the state and the Ijaw nation first and above personal interests.

He stressed that if politicians played by the rules the state would transit from one government to another development-oriented government because ultimately power belonged to the people.

The governor said that not only was the state richly blessed in human and natural resources but it equally has talented sportsmen and women and entertainers in the likes of Olympic silver medalist, Blessing Oborududu, winner of the musical talent show, 2021 Nigerian Idol, Kingdom Kroseide, and nine-year-old Deborah Quickpen, who just won the Under-10 Africa Chess Championship in Ghana. 

Highpoint of the 25th-anniversary celebration was a historical and cultural exhibition organised by the state’s Chief Historian and Archivist, Dr. Stephen Olali.

The governor also cut the anniversary cake, alongside with his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, Mrs. Patience Ama Diri, Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, first Military Governor of Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff and state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Solomon Agwana.

There were also performances by the Nigerian Idol star, Kingdom and winners of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), Bayelsa Cultural Troupe.