25th anniversary: We are working on development plan for Bayelsa, says Gov. Diri

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has announced that his government was working on a short and long term development plan of between 10 and 30 years for the state.

Diri disclosed this on Saturday at the state’s 25th Anniversary Dinner held at Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, in Yenagoa.

The governor said the plan would serve as a template for future administrations to consolidate and bequeath to their successors.

A statement by Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the task of achieving the plan would be a collective one by all stakeholders.

“For us, the task of developing Bayelsa is a must and as your government, we will continue to listen to you by way of advice. We will continue to relate with you concerning our development plans.

“Bayelsa will have to develop a short and long term development plan. A short term development plan of not less than 10 years and a long term plan of not less than 30 years.

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

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 development-oriented government to another, because ultimately power belonged to the people.

“In Bayelsa, we have one family; a family of the Ijaw nation, a family in which we have no reason to undo each other. Let us play politics according to the rules.

“Let us build strong institutions rather than building strong men. Let our institutions outlive us so that at the end of the day we would bequeath a developing and peaceful state to generations yet unborn.” Diri said.

The governor noted that not only was the state richly blessed with human and natural resources, but it was equally blessed with talented sportsmen, women and entertainers.

Diri cited some of the notable people to include the likes of Olympic silver medallist, Blessing Oborududu, winner of the musical talent show, 2021 Nigerian Idol, Kingdom Kroseide, and the nine-year-old Deborah Quickpen, who just won the Under-10 Africa Chess Championship in Ghana.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the Silver Jubilee anniversary celebration was a historical and cultural exhibition organised by the Chief Historian and  Archivist of the state, Dr. Stephen Olali.

There was also cutting of the anniversary cake by the governor, along with Dr. Gloria Diri, Mrs. Patience Ama Diri, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere.

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