Diri remains focused to develop Bayelsa – Aide

Nathan Tamarapreye

Mr Ogidi Bara, Technical Assistant on General Duties to Governor Douye Diri, has affirmed that the governor has remained focused to the development of Bayelsa.

Bara made this known on Saturday in a statement while condemning allegations and false news on social media of Gov. Diri’s reckless spending on vehicles and gadgets.

Bara said the state government, under Diri’s leadership earmarked N700 million to purchase 50 torches and 100 walkie-talkies for personnel of local vigilante group, known as Bayelsa Community Safety Corps.

He said the government also allocated N4.6 billion to purchase 20 Hilux and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and another N1.2 billion for government printing machines.

According to him, currently In Bayelsa, there is a huge paradigm shift in entrenching transparency and good governance since Sen. Douye Diri took over as governor.

He said the transparency indicators in terms of budgetary discipline, setting priorities right in project execution and putting in place institutional frameworks were some of the selling points which informed Diri’s re-election for a second tenure.

He said those who had followed his administration, known as the “Prosperity Government” with keen interest, would appreciate the fact that he had developed a model for confronting the state’s developmental challenges.

“Against this backdrop, I and other young Bayelsa people will be visiting various project sites being constructed by the prosperity-led administration of Sen. Douye Diri.

“The visit will further expose the extraordinary achievement and giant strides by the state helmsman in repositioning various sectors of the state for improved development.

“With this well-meaning young Bayelsans who believe in the growth of the state will converge to disprove critics and haters of the policies and programmes of the prosperity administration.

“It is further worthy of note that, Diri’s unique personality, humility, focused nature and peaceful disposition are re-writing Bayelsa State’s political story.

“He is like a dove, a symbol of peace. Immediately he took over as governor of the state, there was no doubt he came with a clear vision of a security plan that has ensured peace and tranquillity,” he said.

He however described the news parading on social media and some unidentified blogs sponsored by the opposition party in the state, as misleading and fake news.

Bara, who expressed surprise at the failed propaganda move sponsored by some failed politicians, urged Bayelsans to keep faith with the governor, who has shown commitment to human capital, and infrastructural and economic development of the state.