Diri, monarchs, youths demand better federal presence in Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, on Monday, joined traditional rulers, youths and other key stakeholders to demand a better presence of Federal Government in order to fast track overall development of the state.

The stakeholders made the call during a special town hall meeting organised by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in conjunction with the state government at the Chief Harold Dappa Biriye Conference Centre in Yenagoa.

They called on the Federal Government to revisit the abandoned federal secretariat and housing projects among other federal infrastructure lacking in the state.

In their presentation, chairman of the Central Zone, Ijaw Youth Council, Clever Inodu, and the council’s spokesman, Ebilade Ekerefe, stressed that constructive engagement of the youths was vital to sustaining the peace and security in the Niger Delta.

They said they were still awaiting the fulfilment of the Federal Government’s directive to the oil multinationals to relocation their operational headquarters to the Niger Delta.

Also, pioneer chairman of the state’s Traditional Rulers Council, King Joshua Igbugburu, elder statesman, Chief Thompson Okorotie, representative of the Civil Liberties Organisation, Chief Nengi James, expressed concern over the number of abandoned federal projects in the state.

In his response, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, underscored the need for all to work to make Bayelsa a peaceful and investment-friendly destination.

He highlighted some ongoing federal projects to create job opportunities for youths in the state.

He said the Brass fertilizer plant, the Oil and Gas Industrial Park project at Ogbia, the Oloibiri Museum and the petrochemical plant in Polaku were targeted-intervention projects.

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The Minister, who also assured that action would be taken on the Nembe-Brass road, promised that all ongoing projects would be completed.

In his remarks, Senator Diri while commending President Muhammadu Buhari for completing the 17-storey secretariat of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, tasked the Federal Government to prevail on the international oil companies to relocate their head offices to Bayelsa and other states in the region.

According to him, “the relocation of such offices will further cement peace and attract investments to the region as there is no total peace anywhere in the country as shown by the EndSARS disturbances.”

Also, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, said the board was playing a significant role in creating investment opportunities that provide employment for the people.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE