Bayelsa State Government is committed to providing comfort for citizens who are at various Internally Displace Persons (IDP)Camps established to accommodate victims of the unprecedented flood which has ravaged 300 communities and rendered almost one million individuals including; children, women and the aged, homeless.

The State Commissioner for Environment and Chairman Bayelsa State Flood Mitigation and Management Task Force, Mr. Iselema Gbaranbiri gave the assurance while speaking with journalists at the Oxbow Lake IDP Camp in Yenagoa.

Mr. Gbaranbiri disclosed that more than four thousand flood displaced individuals are being camped at the Oxbow Lake camp alone adding that: “Whatever we are doing here, is being replicated at the Igbogene camp and other camps.”

He added: “Medical services have been provided. We are providing food and we have our sanitation unit that is cleaning the camp daily. We ensure that there is lighting.

“The government of Senator Douye Diri is passionate about the people and we have an obligation to stand for them in time of crises and challenges.”

The Environment Commissioner added that relief materials including food items have also been distributed while the second phase of distribution will soon take place, while mobile clinics are going around the state to attend to medical emergencies.

He called on relevant Federal agencies to hasten the implementation of President Muhammadu Buhari directive and come to the aid of the victims.

“We need Federal Government urgent intervention” he added.

Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ayibaina Duba also called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps at preventing future flood by building dams and dredging the River Niger in order to contain water from the Cameroon dam whenever it is released.

Hon. Duba appealed to residents of the flood ravaged areas to desist from building on water channels, stating that disregard for natural water channels contributed to the current flood situation in the State.

Duba said: “We call on the Federal Government to do something about this flooding. They said it was the dam in Cameroon that is causing it. Let them do something to contain the water when Cameroon releases the water. If they are to build reservoirs, let them build, because we have come to realize that all the water empties to us.

He also called on the populace to be conscious of the environment and ensure proper disposal of refuse, saying that most drainage systems in the state were discovered to have been blocked by refuse including discarded plastic bottles and polytene bags.

Schoolmates of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers State have acknowledged his outstanding performance in office and conferred on him an award of excellence.

The UNIPORT 80s, on Tuesday, presented the award to the Bayelsa governor at the Government House, Yenagoa, in recognition of his performance in sustainable infrastructure development and inclusive governance in the state.

The body comprises former students of the institution in the 1980s.

Coordinator of the UNIPORT 80s steering committee, Mr. Ben-jamin Willie, in his remarks, said the governor got the award due to his commendable performance in different sectors, and especially for running an inclusive government in appointing non-indigenes and opposition party members into his cabinet.

He said his Abia State colleague, Dr. Alex Otti, who is also a member of the UNIPORT 80s, hosted the group’s reunion in Umuahia two weeks ago but the steering committee decided to physically present the award to the Bayelsa governor as he was unable to attend the event.

According to Willie, the group had undertaken some social responsibility to their alma mater by providing safety equipment and an isolation centre during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic as well as provided water and good sanitary system for a secondary school within the university community at Aluu.

He said: “We deemed it necessary to honour our own during the reunion and one of the alumni of the university that we are so very proud of is Governor Douye Diri.

“We are not shy to celebrate our own. We know the great strides he has made as governor of Bayelsa State. It is not easy for a governor to appoint people from other parts of this country into positions in their state. But he has an all-inclusive government by appointing people from other parts of the country.

“In terms of infrastructure development, I have been to Bayelsa several times and today driving into the state, we could see the difference and the good works the governor has done. The legacy projects of the senatorial roads as well as the changes in the health and education sectors.

“We just want to take the opportunity to come and honour and celebrate one of our own. It is an award that celebrates excellence and service to humanity.”

In his response, Governor Diri thanked the group for the honour.

He noted that his style of governance was influenced by his background as a former student of the institution, which had students from different parts of the country and from outside the shores of Nigeria.

The Bayelsa governor equally appreciated the body for giving back to their alma mater and the society, and urged the group to maintain the unity in order to impact those that are not privileged.

Diri said: “I cannot thank you enough. I thank you profusely for what I have seen and heard. You are doing great things.

“For me, this is a wake-up call to most of us to give back to the University of Port Harcourt.

“I feel so highly honoured by you and I like you to keep it up. Let us have this camaraderie and look out for one another. That way I am sure that each and every one of us will feel that sense of belonging and oneness.

“We all came from a background that was so unique. That is why wherever we find ourselves, we uniquely still place ourselves.”

The UNIPORT 80s delegation included a former Bayelsa Commissioner for Information, Chief Nathan Egba as well as Mrs Uloma Saiye-Braide and Kobi Emmanuella-King.

They were joined by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, who is also a member of the group.

Daniel Alabrah

Chief Press Secretary

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

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…Promises Potable Water Across State

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has condemned the level of pollution of the state’s water resources that has degraded its ecosystem over the years.

To this end, he charged the Ministry of Water Resources and other relevant stakeholders to come up with an action plan that would enable government achieve its agenda in harnessing its water resources.

Senator Diri gave the charge on Monday during this year’s World Water Day celebration with the theme: “Valuing Water” at the Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye Conference Centre in Yenagoa.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as noting that the statistics regarding the current water, sanitation and hygiene systems were far below expectation.

The governor assured that his administration would utilise resources at its disposal to improve access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene as part of efforts in promoting healthy lifestyles.

“Water is invaluable but we have abused it in Bayelsa. God endowed us with water resources and rather than respecting and protecting it, people are abusing our rivers through the operation of illegal refineries and other human activities that have destroyed our natural fauna.

“I call for an action plan that would enabe this government achieve its prosperity agenda. Our plan is to ensure we provide potable water across all our local government areas.”

The governor also inaugurated the state Council on Water Resources as well as set up an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

He chairs the WASH Committee while the Water Resources Commissioner is chairman of the Council on Water Resources.

In his address, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Wariebi Kemebradikumo, said the government has restored water supply in parts of the state capital like Ovom as well as approved the operation and calibration of the 450 cubic metre per day Ovom waterworks, the 1,500 cubic metre per day Okaka main waterworks and 3,600 cubic metre per day Otuoke regional waterworks.

Kemebradikumo also said the Yenagoa reticulation was receiving attention and would soon be replaced.

In his presentation,  Director of Corporate Support Services, Engr Sunday Idowu, who represented Engr U.B. Magashi, Executive Director in the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, described water as a precious asset central to the basic needs of life.

He also identified some challenges in water development and management in the country, which include lack of political will, pollution of water resources and climate change.

… Directs Paramount Ruler To Beg Epie Monarch

The Bayelsa State Government has ordered the immediate reinstatement of the paramount ruler, the CDC Chairman and other leaders of Akenfa Community that were illegally removed from office in the wake of the chieftaincy crisis that rocked the Epie community in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who gave the order at a reconciliation meeting with the two factions in the community in Government House, Yenagoa, urged both parties to embrace peace in the interest of their community and the state.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement on Friday, emphasized that no individuals or group of individuals can dethrone any occupant of a government recognized chieftaincy stool without the approval of the Governor as prescribed in the state chieftaincy law.

He, therefore, said government does not accept the removal of the paramount ruler, Obeniken, of Akenfa-Epie, His Highness Josiah Osom Obadiah and the appointment of the youth president as the Acting ruler of the community.

The Deputy Governor, however, came down very hard on Chief Osom Obadiah, and directed him to tender an unreserved formal apology to the Obenibe of Epie Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Malla Sasime, over what he described as “an act of disrespect and insubordination” to the stool and person of the Epie Monarch.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo equally directed that the compound chief, community development committee (CDC) Chairman and members who were illegally removed on the orders of the paramount ruler, Chief Obadiah, should all be immediately restored to serve out their constitutional tenures.

Emphasizing the need for the leaders and people of Akenfa as well as the entire Epie/Atissa communities to always maintain peace as host to the state capital, he appealed to the Epie Monarch to temper justice with mercy by forgiving the Obeniken of Akenfa for his unguarded statements and provocative actions.

His words: “We set up a committee to look into the community dispute in Akenfa, and we have received the report of the committee, and their findings are quite far-reaching.

“The removal of the CDC Chairman and his members is illegal and they are ordered to be restored back to complete their tenure in office.

“The paramount ruler of Akenfa is also directed to go and apologize to the Obenibe, King Mala Sasime, not later than next week.

“We are also appealing to all the parties to sheathe their sword for peace to reign in Akenfa. We want to hear positive reports from our communities. So, all the interested parties should embrace peace to move the community forward.”

In his brief remarks, the Obenibe of Epie Kingdom, King Malla Sasime, said he was pleased with the state government for handling the matter in an “objective and mature manner” to achieve lasting peace in the community.

According to King Malla, he has no personal problem with His Highness Obadiah, but added that the paramount ruler of Akenfa had unnecessarily threatened to establish an autonomous or independent Akenfa kingdom.

Responding, the Obeniken of Akenfa Community, Chief Josiah Obadiah, thanked Senator Ewhrudjakpo for his intervention and promised that he would formally apologize to the Obenibe of Epie Kingdom as directed by the Deputy Governor.

It will be recalled that the Deputy Governor set up a 5-member reconciliation committee to look into the Akenfa-Epie Community Chieftaincy crisis on the 19th of June, 2023 and recommend ways of resolving it.

The Committee, which had submitted its report was chaired by the immediate past Technical Adviser to the Deputy Governor on Special Duties, Mr Richard Perekeme, while the state Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Alaowei Opokumo, served as Secretary.

Members of the Committee included the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s

Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, former Senior Special Assistant (Political) to the Deputy Governor, Mr Engineer-Keme Didi, and the Director, Chieftaincy and Community Development, Ministry of Local Government, Mrs Domo-Spiff Boma.

Signed

Mr Doubara Atasi

Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor

Bayelsa State

17/05/24

*Urges President Buhari To Constitute

Substantive Board

*Agency Donates Vehicles, Generator To State

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said more than 1700 abandoned projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) litter different parts of the state, a situation he described as unacceptable.

Some of the abandoned projects include the Angalabiri-Ebedebiri-Toru-Orua shore protection project captured in the commission’s 2020 budget, the Sabagreia-Polaku bridge as well as the Akenfa bridge among others.

Governor Diri spoke on Tuesday when the NDDC Interim Administrator, Dr Akwa Effiong, visited him in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Bayelsa governor noted that the non-collaboration of the commission with catchment states that would advise on priority projects has led to duplication and abandonment of projects.

Diri also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute without further delay a substantive board for the commission in accordance with its enabling Act, saying its absence was hindering the commission’s operations.

Diri, who stressed that the interim administrator’s arrangement was alien to the Act and unacceptable to governors of the Niger Delta, noted that the commission had not been able to meet its mandate because of the absence of a substantive board.

Describing the NDDC as an interventionist body created to fill the developmental gap in the Niger Delta, Diri said the governors have also been robbed of their advisory role, which would have enabled the board embark on people-oriented projects in the region.

He expressed his administration’s preparedness to work with the commission to foster development in the state.

His words: “The NDDC has a lot of abandoned projects in Bayelsa State. From reports, we have over 1700 projects that are dotted all over Bayelsa State. I know that is not healthy.

“I like to at this juncture, again, appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute a substantive board for the NDDC according to the Act setting it up.

“The NDDC was conceived and established as an interventionist body to fill developmental gap. We cannot accept these policy summersaults that make our development to suffer.

“The interim arrangement has become the norm rather than the exception. That is totally unacceptable to us as governors of the Niger Delta states.

We have a very huge stake according to the Act establishing the NDDC and that role is not being played. With the interim administration, there is no board for us to advise.

“There must exist a synergy that will profile these projects before they are conceived. NDDC was not to go into every nook and cranny of states in the region. It should be looking at very large projects, sometimes inter-state projects with mutual agreement and cooperation of the state governments.

“It is my belief that collaborating with the NDDC will create a more robust impression and leave a lasting legacy for our people and generations yet unborn. The NDDC must continue to work closely with governors in the nine states to ensure synergy and avoid duplication of projects and activate the powers of the governors in the board in line with section 2 of the Act establishing it.”

He emphasised that he was against the scrapping of the NDDC but that rather it should be rejigged to enable it meet its functions.

The governor also appreciated the interim administrator for the donation of a 1000KVA generator and a coaster bus to the state-owned Niger Delta University as well as four waste disposal trucks to the state government.

Earlier, Dr. Akwa Effiong appreciated the governor for his developmental strides, saying he had done well within the short period in office.

He expressed the preparedness of the NDDC to collaborate with the government on construction of the age-long Nembe-Brass road project that the state had undertaken.

… COMMISSIONER FOR EDUCATION INSPECTS BYCOTECH AS THEY PREPARE FOR ACCREDITATION.

The Honourable Commissioner for Education Bayelsa State, Hon. Emelah Gentle FCAI, FSM, FCIHRSM in keeping with the drive of the Prosperity Government to ensure all higher Institutions in the state get their accreditation done, Hon. Gentle visited the Bayelsa State College of Health Technology Otuogidi, Ogbia.

The Commissioner was received by the Provost of the institution, Dr Asara Azibalua Adegi, who took the Commissioner round some of the ongoing projects embarked upon by the state government to meet up with the accreditation requirements.

The Provost who Commended the Commissioner for being proactive mentioned that tremendous progress has been recorded from the last visit of the Commissioner in January.

Worthy of mention is the ICT centre which is ready and working with internet services.

The demonstration building ongoing and would be ready within a week.

The E-library which is set.

All accreditation fees have been fully paid.

He gave kudos to the Prosperity Government, led by His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri and the Commissioner of Education Bayelsa Hon. Gentle E. Emelah for matching words with action in bringing the Institution to standard.

Wife of former Nigerian president, Dame Patience Jonathan, has described Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, as the leader that has worked more than his predecessors to unify the state politically.

Speaking during the 5th anniversary dinner of the Senator Diri administration at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa on Friday night, Dame Jonathan, who is popularly called Mama Peace, noted that since Diri assumed office, there had been unity among past and present leaders of the state across party lines.

She expressed delight over the presence of leaders of the state at the dinner despite political differences, saying it was a testament to the govemor’s peaceful and accommodating disposition.

She stressed the need for people of the state to close ranks and support the administration, saying a state divided against itself cannot develop.

In a goodwill message, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, stated that based on his knowledge about Diri, he would have been surprised if he performed less than he had done, saying the governor was known for excellence.

He noted that the developmental strides of Bayelsa were in line with the transformation policy of the Federal Government and pledged to support the state to enable it succeed.

The Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, equally commended Diri for taking the Bayelsa West Senatorial road to Ekeremor main town, saying he can now drive to his village with ease.

He stressed the need for the state to unite across party lines, saying once elections were over, development and governance should come above any personal or group interest.

In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri restated his call on people of the state to unite despite party affiliations to be able to build a greater Bayelsa.

He said his administration was committed to ensuring that every local government headquarters in the state was accessible by road.

Diri commended past leaders of the state, including former military governor, Navy Captin Olubolade (rtd), who was present with his wife, for building the Samson Siasia Sports Complex.

He, however, noted that the facility was now inadequate and that the government had started the process to build a FIFA-approved 25,000-capacity stadium.

“All the previous speakers have said it all. So, all I will say is that we need to unite as a state to make progress.

“As our mother (Dame Jonathan) had said, once a governor emerges, we all need to rally round and support him to succeed. As a result of your support and the peace we have in Bayelsa, we have been able to achieve so much.

“My dear leaders, we need to downplay the divisive politics we play. Let us have leaders that will not sacrifice blood. The era of killing in Bayelsa is over. Let us look unto God who gives power.”

Some of the dignitaries present at the event included the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewrhudjakpor, his Delta State counterpart, Monday Onyeme, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and the PDP National Secretary, Sunday Udeh-Okoye.

Others were the former NDDC Managing Director, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, and the President, Nigerian Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau among others.

Daniel Alabrah

Chief Press Secretary

Saturday, February 15, 2025

The Bayelsa State Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control (DFEC) has undertaken a preliminary on-the-spot erosion impact assessment of Anibeze community in Sagbama Local Government Area (SALGA) of the State.

Speaking during the assessment, the Director-General, Surv. Wilson Omuso, who led the team stated that the move was geared towards fulfiling one of the Directorate’s key functions which is flood control, adding that, the visit was aimed at taking preliminary assessment of the extend of damage caused by erosion with a view to providing lasting solution.

He noted that in the course of the assessment, the Directorate has made some observations on the preliminary causes of the erosion ravaging the community, which would lead to an indepth scientific study to ascertain the main causes of the erosion menace.

He assured that upon the conclusion of the studies on their second visit, recommendations would be made to government for appropriate mitigation actions.

Also speaking, the King of Anibeze Community, Isaac Micah, lamented the significant impact of erosion on the Community leading to destruction of houses and infrastures including the first Community primary school, pointing out that, many indigenes have been displaced.

The King revealed that the community had tried its best to seek self-help solutions with no results and therefore, call on government and other agencies like NDDC to intervene to curb the problem of the erosion.

He described Governor Douye Diri as a man of his words, expressing hope of the state’s Governor’s intervention initiatives.

On their on part, the Anibeze Community Representative, Mr. Dennis Akparesa and the former Chairman of the Community , Mr. Lucky Opuana revealed that their last census conducted in 2011 showed that about 250 blocks houses, including numerous thatch houses, electrification projects, power house and plant had been eroded.

They pointed out that the erosion has eroded off higher portions of the community’s land and thereby making it susceptible to flooding and appealed to the government to save the community from going into extinction.

The duo also sought the help of government to provide the community with amenities like road networks and portable water to alleviate their hardship.