Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure has assured the Bayelsa Independent Publishers Association (BIPA) of the Ministry’s readiness to partner them in the dissemination of proper information.
The Honourable Commissioner, ESV Moses Teibowei, gave the assurance as BIPA paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at his office in Yenagoa.
ESV Teibowei noted that, in this era of new media where fake news flies anyhow, there is need to partner professionals in the discharge of information. Hence, the Ministry’s resolve to accept the partnership proposal by the Bayelsa Independent Publishers Association in order to the disseminate factual news to the nooks and crannies of the state.
Speaking about projects, the Commissioner affirmed that, the Governor has kicked off construction of key projects in spite of the economic challenges caused by COVID-19 because he feels the plight of the people and knows what will improve the wellbeing of the people.
He said that, consequently, Setraco has been remobilized to complete the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road even as CCECC continues asphalting from Igeibiri to Aguobiri on the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road to the point it is to build a bridge across the Silver River which will take the road to Angiama.
He also listed the Glory Drive, the Unity Bridge at Nembe and the Igbogene/AIT Outer Ring Road as some of the projects that were stalled for various reasons but are ongoing currently at the instance of the Prosperity Government.
Other projects in the list include the Elebele Bridge, Igbedi Road, Sabagreia/Opokuma Road and the Tombia Roundabout expansion and beautification project.
Speaking to the issue of internal roads, the commissioner stated that the rehabilitation was mainly for the repairs of failed portions to make the roads passible in the main time; that the job was not for the complete overlay of asphalts. However, he noted that on roads such as PDP, Okaka, and Commissioners Quarters, more work was done on them as drainages were also built.
He maintained that the Ministry knows exactly what to do but that Government was managing the resources available to ensure that everyone feels its presence as it is preparing to create new internal roads that would serve as access roads to residents who have none, stressing that Government’s interest is for all to benefit from the dividends of democracy.
The Commissioner also used the medium to congratulate the new Chairman of BIPA, Mr Francis Dufagha on his emergence as well as commiserated with the association on the demise of its Late Chairman, Chief Evans Tubona.
Earlier, the Chairman of Bayelsa Independent Publishers Association (BIPA), Mr Francis Dufagha, commended the government for the projects embarked upon so far, adding that it has boosted the confidence of the people on the Prosperity Government.
Mr Dufagha noted that BIPA has, since its inception, worked with every government to disseminate information about government’s activities to the grassroots, affirming that BIPA is a partner in progress.
He also said that BIPA had been an integral part of project inspection tour of the Ministry. Hence, he suggested that the Ministry of Works should see them as partners in development and deliberately involve them in its developmental efforts.
Also present at the meeting was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Dr Johnson Dagana.
