By John Odhe, YENAGOA
Stakeholders have offered their assessments of the Bayelsa state’s three decade journey, with most persons commending the progress
recorded in infrastructure, power
and urban development.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia described the 30th anniversary as a significant moment to celebrate Bayelsa’s journey, achievements, resilience and the collective aspirations of its people.
He said Bayelsa’s emergence three decades ago marked the beginning of a new chapter in the political and socio-economic history of the Ijaw people and the Niger Delta, adding that the state has continued to evolve despite the numerous challenges encountered along the way.
He congratulated the State governor, Senator Douye Diri, his Deputy, Pastor Peter Akpe, and Bayelsans at large, on the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state.
The special adviser commended Diri for what he described as his administration’s commitment to sustainable development and the implementation of programmes and policies aimed at improving the lives of Bayelsans.
According to Cocodia, the progress being recorded across various sectors under the As prosperity administration is a testament to the Governor’s vision and commitment to building a stronger and more prosperous Bayelsa.
Cocodia noted that investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, human capital development, sports and other critical sectors are creating a foundation for sustainable growth and development in the state.
For Philip Diete-Spiff, a
policy analyst and son of the first
Military Administrator of the old
Rivers State, the creation of
Bayelsa was an important
opportunity for the people to
determine their development
direction.
He, however, cautioned against rating the development of the state by whether someone is impressed or unimpressed but by what has been achieved so far.
Diete-Spiff believed that much more was needed to be done despite the developmental feat achieved in the past 30 years.
He said the 30th anniversary
should not only be a celebration
but also a period of sober
reflection, evaluation and
planning.
Diete-Spiff urged Bayelsans
to come together, evaluate the
state’s development journey and
formulate a realistic plan for the
years ahead.
Also speaking, the Nigeria
Union of Journalists, Bayelsa
State Council, through the
s e c r e t a r y, Mr. Wanama
Dandyson, said although the state
had not reached its envisaged
destination, so much had been
achieved.
He sued for all hands to
be on deck to move the state
forward.
The Chairman of the Civil
Liberties Organisation, Bayelsa
State chapter, Comrade
Bekinwari David-West, took a
more critical position,
particularly on the state’s
economic foundation.
David West said the
discussion about Bayelsa at 30
should go beyond roads and
buildings to the question of
whether the state had succeeded
in building a sustainable
economy.
He pointed to the state’s oil
and gas resources, the presence of
the Nigerian Content
Development and Monitoring
Board and the potential of the
blue economy, arguing that these
advantages should have
translated into a stronger
economic base.
According to him, Bayelsa
still has a long way to go
economically despite some
infrastructure achievements.
He nevertheless
acknowledged the construction of
the Nembe-Brass road and other
major road projects, saying they
had opened up previously
difficult-to-access communities.
He also commended the
development of the Oporoma axis
and other road corridors, noting
that improved connectivity could
stimulate agriculture, commerce
and movement of people and
goods.
But David-West said the state
had not done enough in
agriculture and needed to develop
a stronger internally generated
revenue base.
He argued that Bayelsa
should explore ways of
generating more resources
internally rather than depending
heavily on federal allocations.
