To avoid a repeat of the calamity that faced Bayelsa State, the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again dedicated the state and its people to God, even as he assured that his administration would forge ahead with its critical infrastructure programmes across the state in 2026.
Diri, who stated this on Thursday in his New Year statewide radio and television broadcast, spoke on some key road projects already captured in the 2026 budget, among them, the Nembe–Brass road and the Ekeremor–Agge road, which terminates at Toru‑Ndoro with a spur to Peretorugbene as well as the Akaba–Ogu–Okodi and Oporoma–Ondewari roads.
Others are the Angiama–Eniwari–Fonibiri, Toru‑Ebeni–Akeddei–Bolou‑Orua–Toru‑Orua road and the Agbere‑Abuetor‑Osekwenike‑Asamabiri‑Elemebiri road, describing each of these projects as vital arteries for connectivity and progress of the state.
He said “our shared faith was sorely tried in the closing days of 2025 as we prepared to celebrate the Christmas season and year‑end festivities. On the afternoon of Thursday, 11 December, we were struck by the devastating news of the passing into eternity of His Excellency Senator Dr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of our state. His steadfast support, quiet wisdom and unshakeable strength left an indelible mark on our Government of Assured Prosperity and upon our lives.
“Even as our flesh may falter and our hearts may ache, let us recall that God is the strength of our hearts and our portion forever. He does not promise immunity from pain, but He promises to walk with us through it — to heal where there are wounds, to lift where we fall.
“As we step into 2026, we once again lay Bayelsa State — its governance, its peace, its great works — at the feet of the Almighty. This is no empty tradition, but a solemn, heartfelt surrender. We acknowledge that every road built, every budget passed, every tear shed and triumph won rests not on our strength, but on His sovereign grace.
According to the governor, with the faithful execution of the 2026 budget christened “Assured Prosperity 2”, the government would ensure execution of these projects.
Reflecting on the outgone year, Diri said his administration had envisioned 2025 as a “Year of Unexampled Miracles,” stating that it made significant strides by breaking new grounds on landmark projects.
He listed such signature projects to include the nine‑storey state secretariat complex, the 30,000‑seat stadium as well as the Faculty of Environmental Sciences Building and the Convocation Auditorium both at the Niger Delta University.
The state’s helmsman equally noted that the 630-meter bridge at Angiama was nearing completion just as the government was on the verge of inaugurating its 60‑megawatt independent power project.
Diri said these development efforts would stand as lasting legacies of hope, progress and promise kept. He, however, expressed regret that 2025 was not a year he would reflect upon with unbridled joy.
