THIS IS THE CONCLUDING PART OF OUR SPECIAL FOCUS ON GOVERNOR DUOYE DIRI OF BAYELSA STATE. ENJOY.
With the help of sources and reliable insiders we have a picture of what Gov Diri has done during his tenure.
To start, Bayelsa State we were informed has enjoyed prosperity and peace since he came into office and this is evident with the high premium placed on security.
Our source revealed.
” He enacted the Community Safety Corps Law and appointed General Eric Angaye as the coordinator who didn’t leave anybody in doubt that he is here to make the state peaceful and enabled for social and economic activities to thrive. The General therefore wasted no time in putting together a robust arrangement that has since brought out the best of the state internal security outfit “Operation Door Akpo” He has transformed the men and officers to be highly disciplined, responsive and on high alert at every time. Response to distress calls are not only prompt but monitored from the command and control centre of the Gen Andrew Owoye Azazi Security Centre situated in the heart of the Government House.”
The Governor has constructed legacy projects that has transformed the state for good.
“Driving through the Sagbama -Ekeremor Road, the spur from Ofoni to Ekeremor has six bridges with some places filled up to 10 meters high with sand to avoid flooding and early failure of the road. After that you compact water to enable proper settlement, then mix with cement to create the proper cohesion before thinking of finishing. All of these stages you need a mandatory cure period before proceeding to the next stage. Otherwise, the road will fail or buckle. This is what happened to the Okogbe to Ahoada sections of the East/West Road which has now become a sand dump for the villagers around the place. In fact, block moulders have relocated to that portion with their moulding machines scooping the sand that washed off underneath the asphalt during the last flood.
As far as I am concerned that road ab initio was a total engineering evaluation failure on the part of the company that handled it.
I wish I could take a guided tour with you to Ekeremor and Angiama. The spur two of the Glory Drive which I refer to as the sweetest road to drive on is a project I admire and was done in record time. From Yenagoa to Angiama which used to be about two hours by river now takes less than 20 minutes.”
Said our source,
” I mean these roads traverse through the most offensive terrains of the Niger Delta but Senator Douye Diri dared, challenged and conquered it and therefore deserves kudos. All of these were achieved within two years because the first year of this administration was challenging due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.”
Yenagoa has also witnessed vast changes according to our source,
“Tombia Roundabout, which hitherto was a den of criminals is now a beautiful place. That was where ladies’ bags and phones were snatched, drug dealers and petty thieves’ abode is now turned to a serene and lovely environment. Night life has become safe as the Bayelsa volunteers’ operatives and the internal security personnel curiously watch out for criminals and criminal activities on a 24/7 basis. The completion of the second bridge and the lighting system at night has further enhanced aesthetics of the place. The level of completion of the West and Central Senatorial Districts roads are extraordinary. How about the ultra-modern bus terminal at Igbogene?”
The Governor also intervened in the power sector to improve supply.
Our source revealed,
” The Niger-Delta Power holding injection substation at Ogboloma, which was abandoned was reactivated as a child of necessity to supply uninterrupted power supply to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital at a time when movement even within the state was prohibited during the COVID-19. This was done at a huge expense as the hospital was designated an isolation centre. Today barring loss of supply from the grid the Gbarain communities in Yenagoa have the highest availability of supply.
This administration equally intervened in revamping the 60MVA 132/33kV Transmission Substation. We have to procure the failed parts on special and priority order and air freight them from China due to the urgency and work through day and night to accomplish a task that ordinarily would have lasted six months in eight weeks. This has made the state which had only one transmission substation got two thus making power-supply flexible.”
On education he has scored excellently.
Governor Douye Diri a former teacher understands the problems facing the education sector first hand and he has changed what he met.
We were told.
“He places education at a special place in his heart. Having been a member of council in the University of Maiduguri and one who understands the need to train and develop the right skills for the 21st Century world, he is using education as a tool to confront the development challenges of the state by investing in specialist educational skills. He is striving to develop skills that are employable both locally and internationally.”
Governor Diri we gathered embraced the STEM education philosophy by building one technical college in each of the eight local governments with one super internship high skill centre that will harvest and advance the very talented for productive and self-reliance. Five of them are very ready to go by this current session with exchange programmes with skills centres in India and Germany.
He hit the ground running, he went on an on the spot assessment of education facilities across the state. With the that information, he informed the state executive council that the situation was unacceptable and went ahead to make changes for that are today visible to all eyes.
Our source revealed that before he came into office,
Some of the primary schools in rural areas had only a teacher and a head teacher.
” He gave a marching order to embark on massive recruitment of teachers to boost teaching as well as massive construction and rehabilitation of schools across the state. Some of these schools are Yenezue Primary School which was built from scratch. Others are Biogbolo, Igbogene, a brand-new school at Opolo along AIT road, UPE Ovom and a lot more that are verifiable. It may also interest you to know that the government engaged the services of Microsoft in the training of 12,000 teachers in ICT. This is borne out of the desire to update the teachers with contemporary skills, knowledge and competences in ICT for the first time in the history of educational development in the state. We are happy and teachers are happy today that they are being fondly described as digital teachers. ”
We heard,
“The governor is in a hurry to place Bayelsa on the fast lane of entrepreneurship-driven economy and promote the culture of acquisition of skills that will equip the beneficiaries to easily fit into the global job market or entrepreneurs from day one of their graduation. This is part of the determination to enthrone his vision for prosperity as most of the army of unemployed youths will be meaningfully engaged through such practical skills.”
We also were told,
” It is heart-warming to mention that so far the state-owned Niger Delta University within the period under review secured the accreditation of 70 courses at a stretch, while other institutions like the state owned school of nursing, college of health technology, college of education have all benefited from similar gesture.”
Worker motivation is high on his list and and neglect of retirees and non payment of pensions a thing of history in Bayelsa state.
” workers in the state we gathered are now smiling. Governor Diri is worker friendly. Regular payment of salary every month and pension payment and backlog of gratuities have made both retired and active civil servants to be happy and motivated. Recently, he set aside the sum of one billion naira for payment of pension arrears and gratuities.”
A source told us,
” This is beside the standing order of N250 million a month that is meticulously implemented right from the day he assumed office.”
The training and retraining of workers for optimum performances is a cardinal goal of the Diri administration.
We also heard,
“The attention of the governor was drawn to the plight of primary school teachers in the state ranging from non-promotion to non-payment of backlog of 18 percent minimum wage arrears owed since 2011. Without wasting time, he approved and instructed immediate implementation.”
Said a source,
“Gov Diri approved payment of the state’s own part of counterpart funding for health care workers across the eight LGAs to boost the morale of primary health workers. Today they have all benefited from various welfare packages and allowances alongside the N30,500 minimum wage that has been fully implemented since he came on board.
Prospects of Re-election:
Political Stability:
One of the key advantages Governor Diri enjoys is the political stability he has maintained since his ascendancy to the position. The absence of significant internal conflicts within his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), enables him to consolidate his power and instill confidence among voters. The continuity of stable governance might propel voters to back his re-election bid.
- Performance in Office:
Governor Diri’s performance in office will play a pivotal role in securing re-election. Since assuming power, his administration has made notable strides in improving healthcare, education, infrastructure, and agricultural development. Successful policies such as the Bayelsa Livestock and Aquaculture Pilot Scheme have positively impacted the state’s economy and improved livelihoods. Such achievements might resonate with the electorate, boosting his chances for re-election.
- Strategic Alliances:
Governor Diri’s ability to form strategic alliances, both within and outside his party, could prove advantageous. Collaborations with influential political players in the state, combined with his amiable personality and networking skills, may attract greater support from various sectors of society. Such alliances can enhance his campaign efforts and broaden his electorate base.
Challenges to Re-election:
Political Opposition:
Opposition parties present a significant challenge to Governor Diri’s re-election bid. Rival candidates from opposition parties will gather strength to challenge the incumbent’s position. The All Progressives Congress (APC), in particular, will mount fierce opposition, leveraging its nationwide influence to rally support against Diri. The governor must effectively counter their campaigns, highlight his achievements, and present a compelling vision for the state’s future.
Socioeconomic Factors:
Governor Diri faces the challenge of addressing the state’s socioeconomic issues, such as youth unemployment, infrastructure deficits, and poverty eradication. Failure to substantially address these challenges may lead to dissatisfaction among the electorate. Therefore, it becomes imperative for Diri’s administration to implement targeted policies that cater to the needs of various demographic groups and address these pressing concerns.
Conclusion:
Governor Douye Diri’s chances of being re-elected in Bayelsa State depend on his ability to navigate the challenges and leverage his prospects to his advantage. Political stability, a commendable performance in office, strategic alliances, along with effective campaigning, may boost his chances of winning over voters.
Ultimately, it is the collective assessment of Bayelsa State’s electorate, based on their personal experiences and aspirations that will determine Governor Diri’s political destiny.
By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo( The Story Teller)
Tel; +2347054674906
Email; nigeria360online@ Gmail.com