Following several years of water drought in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital and its environs, Governor Douye Diri has assured that his administration will focus on providing potable water upon completion of the independent power plant project by the end of this year.
Diri also stated that the state will soon take delivery of the 60MW twin gas-powered turbines procured by the government, as work on the installation site at Elebele is nearing completion.
Diri gave the assurance on Wednesday while addressing a large crowd at King Koko Square in Nembe, the headquarters of the Nembe Local Government Area, in continuation of his ‘Thank-You Tour’ of the eight councils in the state.
“On the issue of power, there is good news. As you are aware, your state government has procured an independent power plant, and very soon, we will no longer depend on the existing power supply arrangement. We will soon take delivery of the 60-megawatt gas turbines, and the site for their installation is almost complete.
“We are rich in gas, and by the end of this year, the problem of power supply will be a thing of the past in this state. It is expected to cover Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama and parts of Ekeremor local government areas.
“Once we are through with the power issue, we will ensure that water is made available in Yenagoa, Nembe and most of our local government areas,” he said.
Regarding the request for the construction of the Igbeta-Ewoama-Okoroba road, the governor explained that the administration was beginning to face time constraints but would partner with federal agencies, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission and the South-South Development Commission, on this and other road projects connecting communities to the state capital.
Diri appreciated the people of Nembe Kingdom for turning out in large numbers and for the warm reception accorded to his entourage.
He particularly thanked them for their support in re-electing him and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in the 2023 governorship poll, which he noted enabled his administration to provide impactful leadership.
“We promised that when you elect us for a second term, we will come back to say thank you. So, this is the time to express our gratitude to the people of Nembe Local Government Area,” he said.
In their goodwill messages, the immediate past deputy governor and chairman of the Bayelsa State Elders Council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo (SAN), expressed delight about the ongoing Nembe-Brass road project and for the governor’s effort to restore peace in the Nembe-Bassambiri community.
Also, the Nembe Council Chairman, Chief David Alagoa, and a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate, Chief Blessing Izagara, said Nembe will never forget Diri for his good works.
They also appealed to the governor to provide potable water and health facilities, among other projects, for the people of Nembe.
Upon arrival, Diri visited the palace of the Mingi XIII, Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, King Edmund Daukoru, where he thanked the royal father for his support and blessings during the 2023 poll.
He promised to renovate the palace pavilion where he was received.
In his remarks, King Daukoru thanked Diri for the visit and the construction of the Nembe-Brass road.
He presented the governor with gifts, including books, a hat, and a walking stick, among other items.
“People always say that politicians only come when they want blessings to contest elections, but you have proved them completely wrong. What you promised, you have done. The blessings of the throne will keep flowing for you,” the monarch prayed.
On the governor’s entourage were his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Senator Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), Hon. Marie Ebikake representing Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency, her colleagues, Dr. Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency), Dr. Mitema Obordor (Ogbia Federal Constituency) and Hon. Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency) as well as the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, and other state legislators.
