By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
Ahead of the People’s Democratic Party’s primary election for the November 16 Bayelsa State governorship election, one of the top aspirants, Arc Reuben Okoya, while speaking journalists, said he is not a desperate politician.
He said he is rather desperate for the development of Bayelsa State and urged delegates to consider the governorship credentials he is bringing to the table, as well as his private and public sector experience, having served twice as commissioner of special projects in the state, from 2003 to 2007 under Late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha and Dr Goodluck Jonathan.
As commissioner, he managed numerous projects across the state, among them were medical, infrastructural, social and educational. Arc Reuben Okoya was the political head of the ministry and supervised the day to day running and his duties included formulation and implementation of policy framework to guide the rapid and qualitative implementation of priority projects as identified by the government of the state, identifying and fast-tracking of slow-paced or abandoned projects, preparation, review and vetting of design/contracts drawings and documents for various projects cutting across all ministries in the state.
He named some of his achievements to include main secretariat annex, treasury building, revenue house cultural centre and the Niger Delta University among others.
He
said his success is achieved through a balance of technical excellence, vast
professional experience, both locally and internationally, creativity and
corporate managerial and leadership skill with a commitment to timely delivery
and within budget.
Okoya said the delegates should evaluate his achievements as Abuja City manager
under the FCT minister, Bala Mohammed in 2011 – 2015.
He said he considers himself as prepared to govern the state, and his desperation is not for power, but for the development of Bayelsa State. He said when he becomes governor of the state he is going to unite the state, adding that “without unity we cannot move the state forward. Good leadership is crucial, private and public sector and peace will move the state forward. Lagos state is driven by public sector, enabling environment needed to attract investors.”