By John Ovie
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri as a symbol of purposeful leadership.
The president made the remark during his official one-day working visit to the state where he commissioned key infrastructure projects.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall of government house in Yenagoa after commissioning the Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, the 60 megawatts power project and others, the president said it was quite thoughtful of the governor to embark on projects that would have direct economic bearings on the people.
Promising to partner with the governor to bring more economic and infrastructure prosperity to the state, Tinubu commended Bayelsans for their warmth reception.
Highlighting insecurity as a major problem plaguing the Nigerian state, the president assured that the bad situation would be surmounted, just as he made the audience to observe a moment of silence in honour of the Army General and other military personnel recently murdered by insurgents in Borno state in northern Nigeria.
Excited with governor Diri’s performance, the president said, “you have done a great job. I have commissioned some very transformative projects; the bridge, dual carriageway, power plant, creating economic opportunities and jobs. Thank you for being a very progressive governor.”
Earlier in his welcome address, governor Diri appreciated the president for honouring his invitation in person, stating that it underscored how esteemed he held Bayelsa state.
He commended Tinubu for partnering with the state economically, recalling how the president granted the state waiver for the importation of the just commissioned 60-megawatt independent power project.
Diri said the projects commissioned by the president and other completed and ongoing ones were propelled by his prosperity agenda in line with the renewed hope mantra of the federal government.
“These newly commissioned projects together with others like the ongoing 30,000-seat international stadium, the 9-storey state Secretariat complex under construction as well as roads and bridges connecting rural communities otherwise separated by water constitute the coherent and strategic feat of investment anchored on the ASSURED prosperity agenda of our government,” he said.
The governor maintained that the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie, Nembe-Brass, Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge roads being steadily pursued by his administration were to unlock the economic potentials of the state for the benefit of all.
He added that the state under his administration would continue to align with the central government for a healthy and prosperous collaboration.
Meanwhile, some Bayelsans who spoke to our correspondent after the commissioning of the power project expressed disappointment that the gas fired Turbines were yet to generate power in their areas, calling on the handlers of the electricity plant to ensure that the state government and the people enjoyed value for their money.
President Tinubu who was in company of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and several state governors has since returned to Abuja, the nation’s seat of power.
