Bayelsa governor identifies roads, electricity and jobs as priorities at 30

Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri has identified roads, electricity and employment for young people as continuing priorities as the state marked its 30th anniversary. In a broadcast on Thursday, Diri paid tribute to the generations of Ijaw people whose advocacy, protests, petitions and sacrifices contributed to Bayelsa’s creation on October 1, 1996. He said their efforts placed a responsibility on the present generation to build a better state.

The governor said Bayelsa had made progress in three decades, including the development of roads and bridges, educational institutions, an international airport and greater Federal Government presence. He also acknowledged that difficult terrain, weak connectivity and inadequate infrastructure had presented major challenges from the beginning. Diri said work was progressing on three senatorial roads and that the state’s independent power project was being expanded from 60 megawatts to 100MW.

He also cited ongoing work on a 30,000-capacity stadium and a nine-storey secretariat complex. During a subsequent media chat, he said road infrastructure remained one of his administration’s largest investments. He noted that several local government headquarters that were inaccessible by road at the state’s creation had since been connected to Yenagoa, reducing travel time and supporting security and economic activity.

The governor also pointed to agriculture, aquaculture and maritime activity as potential sources of employment. He said underwater welding would be introduced in technical colleges and higher institutions to prepare young people for opportunities in the blue economy. Diri said Bayelsa was working with the Federal Government on deep-sea ports and other maritime infrastructure, including the Agge Sea Port.

He urged residents, especially young people, to acquire practical skills and said the state’s future should draw on agriculture and maritime opportunities as well as oil and gas.