Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has reassured Bayelsans especially the people of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area that commuters would drive from Yenagoa to Oporoma before the end of his first-term in office.
He also promised that access roads would be constructed to link most of the communities in the area, including Otuan, to the all-important Yenagoa-Oporoma road to promote socio-economic development of the state.
Governor Diri, gave the assurance during a consultative meeting with stakeholders of Southern Ijaw Constituencies 1,2,3 and 4, in Government House, Yenagoa, at the weekend.
Speaking through his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Governor commended the various Constituencies for their continued support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the years.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, particularly lauded the people of Southern Ijaw for massively voting for all the PDP candidates at the last general elections and urged them to sustain their support for the party for better dividends.
The Governor explained that ongoing meetings with CDC chairmen, and youth and women leaders from all the 24 state constituencies were aimed at making government better respond to the needs of the people in every locality.
Describing Southern Ijaw LGA as strategic to the overall development the state, Governor Diri maintained that his administration was poised to continue the road from Oporoma to Ukubie in his second term to further open up the area.
While reiterating his earlier warning against truant teachers and health workers to turn a new leaf or face disciplinary measures, he directed community leaders not to hesitate in reporting any absentee government workers in their communities
He also urged them to protect government facilities in their domains from being vandalized, especially copper electric cables.
According to the Governor, although no government will be able to tackle all the needs of the communities at the same time, the current move of his administration would positively impact the living conditions of the people, especially in rural communities.
Responding to a request made by a chieftain of the PDP, Mrs Apretari Ogugu, on the need for a cemetery in Amassoma, where both male and female corpses can be buried, Senator Diri promised to look into the issue.
Several contributions were made by community leaders and critical stakeholders highlighting their basic communal needs ranging from concrete walkways, playgrounds, potable water, solar lights and renovation of dilapidated public school infrastructure.
