By now, many discerning Bayelsans would have been imagining what could have been the fate of the people of the state if the Supreme Court had not timely aborted the imminent swearing in of David Lyon as the governor of the state in 2020. The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) had declared Lyon of the All Progressive Congress (APC) winner of the governorship election conducted in the state in November 2019 and he was set for the swearing in on February 14, 2020.
But the apex court found merit in the suit filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri challenging the discrepancies in the papers presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the running mate to David Lyon, Degi Eremienyo and disqualified him, thus rendering nugatory the joint ticket of the APC candidates and ordering that the next party and candidate with the highest number of votes should be sworn in as governor. That was how Diri mounted the saddle as governor, marking a new dawn in the development trajectory of the state, popularly referred to as the “Glory of All Lands.”
Diri has been dubbed the ‘Miracle Governor’ on account of the circumstances that brought him to occupy the Creek Haven as the fifth democratically elected governor of Bayelsa State, and many analysts credit him with the feat of a miracle worker on account of the uncommon transformation he has wrought in the state.
Bayelsa State is characteristically a swamp laden state, making infrastructure, particularly road construction a very challenging project, but Diri has succeeded in demystifying the myth and the often-choreographed alibi of previous administration over their reluctance in embarking on the many ambitious projects such as the incumbent governor is doing. The results of the iron cast determination of the governor are the network of roads the administration has created by tearing through the murky swamps and creating beauty out of an otherwise debilitating terrain.
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Apart from the numerous linkage roads within Yenagoa and environs and in communities in the local government areas of the state, the governor has driven the multi-billion-dollar three senatorial roads aimed at connecting all parts of the state to the state capital, Yenagoa far beyond expectation.
That of the East is already deep into the Atlantic heading towards Brass, the terminal point, the West is also moving at a furious pace heading past Ekeremor to terminate at Agge, the location of the state deep sea port that will highlight the state potentials in blue economy. The Central senatorial road from Yenagoa to Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government is perhaps where the governor scored a bulls eye with the 630 meters long Angiama-Oporoma Bridge that ultimately links the Southern Ijaw people to the Yenagoa metropolis.
The completed road, awaiting inauguration by President Tinubu has become the cynosure of all eyes as it is being streamed on social media to showcase what a leader with purpose could achieve for a people hitherto neglected and abandoned.
Indeed, a Daniel has come to judgement in Bayelsa State and justice is being served in all sectors and different aspects of human endeavor. The governor came prepared to address the major drawbacks on the state’s development aspiration, among which is power infrastructure, providing the elixir in the 60 megawatt power turbine situated at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area, also awaiting inauguration by President Tinubu.
The power project which is expected to serve the entire Yenagoa and environs will no doubt transform the state capital from a supermarket economy it used to be, to attracting major industries which will bolster the state’s internally generated revenue and unlock employment opportunities for the teeming youths.
Speaking on the two signature projects, the road and power turbine while urging Bayelsans to celebrate the milestone, Governor Diri said they are central to the state’s economic development and transformation. He described the 60-megawatt gas turbine project to be inaugurated as critical to improving electricity supply in the state.
“Power is a major driver of economic growth, and this project is key to our development agenda,” the governor said. He also underscored the significance of the 630-metre Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, saying it was a historic milestone for the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. “For over 60 years, our people in Southern Ijaw have had no road access to Yenagoa. This bridge changes that reality. These are legacy projects that will positively impact our people and open up Bayelsa for greater opportunities,” Governor Diri maintained.
So, on Friday, Bayelsans will be in a celebration mood and they have every reason to be as President Tinubu cuts the tape to inaugurate the two legacy projects which will etch the administration of Governor Douye Diri permanently in the sands of time in Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
