Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang on Friday, applauded the vision of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri for the development strides in the state.
The two leaders were guests of the Gov. Diri, who is marking his fifth anniversary in office
Speaker Abbas inaugurated the newly-built legislators quarters in the New Yenagoa City, while Gov. Mutfwang inaugurated the reconstructed Onuebum-Otuoke Road, linking former President Goodluck Jonathan’s community, Otuoke.
The speaker said Bayelsa State under Gov. Diri had witnessed remarkable progress in infrastructure, healthcare, human capacity development and other areas of development, describing the legislators quarters project as a powerful demonstration of the state government’s resolve to deliver only the best to the people.
He stated that the inauguration was not only a celebration of the governor’s accomplishments, but also a reflection of his vision and dedication to the development of the state.
The speaker said that Gov. Diri’s leadership style, magnanimity, inclusivity and his strong sense of purpose has set a standard worthy of his administration.
Earlier, Gov. Diri said the New Yenagoa City was well-planned and that developers of property must follow the plan.
He emphasised that with the infrastructure put in place by his administration,Yenagoa, the state capital, was expanding and is no longer what it used to be.
Gov. Diri issued a directive to the state Ministry of Lands and Survey, to acquire additional 360 hectares of land to be allocated to interested Bayelsans and other individuals.
Inaugurating the road project, Gov. Caleb Mutwang, expressed excitement about Bayelsa’s pace of development.
He said: “God did not make a mistake in making Diri the ‘Miracle Governor’ of Bayelsa State. It has been five years of miracles because Diri has been a beneficiary of God’s miracles. I am excited to see the development of Bayelsa State.
“I started coming to Bayelsa State in 1993, when I picked a wife from here. So, I know what Bayelsa looked like many years back, and what it is looking like today. I want to appreciate God for the tremendous progress that has been made.”
The Plateau State governor announced a donation of N15 million to the Onuebum and Otuoke communities as well as students of the Federal University, Otuoke.
Gov. Diri, at the event, restated his call for an increase in the 13 percent derivation to oil-producing sates.
He said the excuse over the years had been that the state’s terrain was too difficult to develop, but noted that if the resources deposited in Bayelsa were properly utilised, they were enough to develop the state.
Read also: Gov. Diri vows to bequeath a better Bayelsa to successor
Gov. Diri explained that he took interest in the Onuebum-Otuoke Road because of what the people suffered during the flood season.
He also stated that it would have been a disservice for him to leave government, without rehabilitating the road due to its importance to the community of the former president, students of the federal university, and Bayelsa East in general.
He said: “We have difficulty, but we have taken our destiny into our hands. That is why, we tell the rest of the country that our terrain is not too difficult to develop. The resources are there. We only have to harness them justifiably and equitably.
“We are not saying we want all. We are ready to share with the rest of the country, but give us above 13 percent. The constitution states that 13 percent is the minimum. So, I’m calling on our representatives in the National Assembly, that it is time to change that minimum.
“This is why I commend this federal government on the tax reform bill. We as a state support it 100 percent. We have made our position known through our representatives in the National Assembly, and it is that the proposed 60 or 30 percent VAT increase should be extended to every other area, including oil and gas.
“By the time our derivation is increased, we will not be constructing a single lane to Otuoke or Brass but double lanes.“
