By David Owei,Baylesa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said the state government’s partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was yielding positive results.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 NDDC/Renewed Hope Initiative Free Medical Outreaches, Governor Diri stated that the partnership gave birth to the initially state-owned cottage hospital and community secondary school projects that were inaugurated on Thursday at Otuasega community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

Gov Douye Diri of Baylesa state

He said NDDC was not a competitor with the state but a partner in progress, stressing that his administration was open for collaboration in order to avoid duplication and abandonment of projects.

The Bayelsa governor recalled how he appealed to the interventionist agency to hand over the Polaku/Sabagreia road and bridge project to the state government, saying the project, which is almost completed, highlights the willingness of the state government to partner the commission and other development agencies.

The state’s helmsman lauded President Bola Tinubu for also partnering with the state in the construction of the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road, stressing that since he became governor, it was the first time the Federal Government was collaborating with his administration on such project.

Describing Tinubu as the Grand Master of Collaboration, he also noted that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was a lover of progress and development.

His words: “Today marks a significant milestone in NDDC. But, importantly, we have a partnership with the commission and the state government is grateful for that.

“Let me thank our dear First Lady, who is a lover of progress and development. Your commitment to the development of our people is commendable.

“President Tinubu is the grandmaster of collaboration. He has mobilised contractor to site for the construction of the second phase the Nembe-Brass road. He also awarded the contract for the Coastal Road project, which is what the Ijaw people want. We however request that as the project has started from the Lagos end, it should also commence from Calabar in the South-South simultaneously.

“As a state government, all we need is partnership. We have never seen NDDC as a competitor. Sometimes there is duplication of projects and that is why I always seek collaboration with the commission publicly and privately. We cannot play politics with the development of our region if we love our states. Today in Bayelsa, PDP and APC members work together as we have APC members in our cabinet.”

In her remarks, Senator Oluremi Tinubu lauded the collaboration between the state and NDDC, saying it is encouraging the development of the state and region.

She hailed the NDDC for also collaborating with the Renewed Hope Initiative, saying the partnership will significantly improve the lives of the people of the region.

She said the NDDC/Renewed Hope Initiative, which began in 2024, is aimed at providing support in critical areas of development by empowering communities and improving the quality of life in the Niger Delta.

She also stated that the inaugurated projects will impact on the health and education sector of the state significantly and lauded the commission for its foresight.

Her words: “I love Bayelsa and I love Nigeria. This is not politics. I am really honoured to be here.

“I like to express my profound gratitude to Governor Diri and his wife for the warm reception accorded me and my team. I also like to commend the NDDC Managing Director and the board for their commitment to the development of the region.”

Also, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said as part of efforts to develop the region, the commission has constructed roads and numerous other projects in states under its catchment area.

He gave kudos to the President for his support, saying the NDDC under his administration was different.

The Minister of Regional Development, Dr. Abubakar Momoh, equally lauded the NDDC, saying much had been achieved and expressed the confidence that more will be done.

As part of the programme, there was also the flag-off of the NDDC 2025 free medical outreach, donation of 11 ambulances to select hospitals in the region as well as donation of textbooks and desks to Community Secondary School, Otuasega.

The First Lady, accompanied by wife of the state governor, Dr. Gloria Diri, earlier visited the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council secretariat in Yenagoa where she sought the support of traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders to deliver good governance to the people.

She urged royal fathers, governors and other stakeholders to key into her welfare schemes targeted at improving the standard of living of the people, particularly the vulnerable groups in society.

Mrs .Tinubu was accompanied by wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajia Leyla Barau, wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Salamatu Gbajabiamila, wife of the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Susan Lokpobiri, as well as wives of the governors of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Imo, Kogi and Jigawa states.