…As PLWDs Honour Gov Diri
By Amos Odhe
Bayelsa State has met the World Bank assessment for the supply of potable water across its capital city, Yenagoa, and environs.
Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Wednesday during the 196th State Executive Council meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa.
He described the development as “good news” for Bayelsans, stating that the bank will, in collaboration with state government officials, begin mapping of Yenagoa and some neighboring communities for water infrastructure deployment.
Senator Diri noted that with ongoing efforts to achieve stable electricity and potable water supply, his administration would have delivered the basic requirements for societal growth.
His words: “We have been on this water thing with the World Bank, and Bayelsa is one of the states that has passed the hurdle of the bank.
“So the World Bank will alongside our state government officials go round the whole of Yenagoa and some neighboring places. They will deploy geo-mapping and also sensitise the people on this water supply project to Bayelsans.”
He further stated that by providing water, electricity, road infrastructure, schools and health facilities, his administration was laying a solid foundation to attract private sector investment to the state.
The Bayelsa helmsman stressed that government was not always the best businessman and advocated public-private partnership as the way forward for industrialising the state.
He called on Bayelsans to take advantage of the foundation being laid by his administration, adding that outsiders might see the economic opportunities in the state before them.
“Investments do not hang in the air. We have seen how some other some past governors made certain investments but those investments are now a shadow of themselves. I believe every economy is mostly private sector driven,” Diri said.
“Sometimes we may not even see the opportunities as Bayelsans. It is outsiders that see them before our people. So let us open our eyes to the opportunities for economic growth.”
During the meeting, the governor received an Award of Excellence for Disability Inclusion presented by the Commissioner for Women, Child Empowerment and Social Development, Mrs. Joanna Gigi.
According to the commissioner, the recognition from Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) was for the governor’s commitment to disability inclusion, particularly his assent to the Persons Living with Disabilities Law 2026, which she described as a significant milestone for the state.
The PLWDs also acknowledged the administration’s efforts under the Assured Prosperity Agenda, which saw to the appointment of 40 persons with disabilities into government positions, and the employment of over 20 physically challenged persons into the state civil service.
