By David Owei, Bayelsa

President Ahmed Tinunbu was in Bayelsa state on a one day visit ,during which he inaugurated the 60 megawatts Gas Turbine embarked upon by the administration of Governor Douye Diri,s administration.

The president also inaugurated some historic projects,among which ate the 630 metre Angiama-Oporoma, which has given access roads to over 60 communities in Southern Ijaw consistency 3 and 4 and also the inauguration of the dualised road linking the New Yenagoa City.

In his remarks during a stakeholders’ meeting at state Banquet Hall after the inauguration ceremony, president Bola Ahmed Tinubu extolled governor Senator Douye Diri for his laudable infrastructural projects in the state,which are geared towards the development and growth of the state,and urged him not to relent.

“You have done a great job, I have commissioned some projects, very transformative projects, creating opportunities and jobs and hope of our nation. Thank you for that commitment and thank you for being a very progressive governor.

“Diri has demonstrated the power of very purposeful leadership and I am here standing before you promising that the challenges that we face , the memory of those who led this country face the battles and challenges of security. We will work hard, we will continue to train our men of the armed forces, we will defeat terrorism and banditry, regardless of their shenanigans.

“In our party APC, we believe that the people deserve to see governance translated into roads, bridges, power, jobs and real opportunities that affect human beings. The projects that I commissioned today demonstrate and testify to growth and development when the state and federal government work in partnership in shared purpose

Other projects inaugurated by the President includes, the 630 metre Angiama-Oporoma, which has given access roads to over 60 communities in Southern Ijaw consistency 3 and 4 and also the inauguration of the dualised road linking the New Yenagoa City.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at state Banquet Hall after the inauguration ceremony, president Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the hos governor Senator Douye Diri for his laudable infrastructural projects in the state.

“You have done a great job, I have commissioned some projects, very transformative projects, creating opportunities and jobs and hope of our nation. Thank you for that commitment and thank you for being a very progressive governor.

“Diri has demonstrated the power of very purposeful leadership and I am here standing before you promising that the challenges that we face , the memory of those who led this country face the battles and challenges of security. We will work hard, we will continue to train our men of the armed forces, we will defeat terrorism and banditry, regardless of their shenanigans.

“In our party APC, we believe that the people deserve to see governance translated into roads, bridges, power, jobs and real opportunities that affect human beings. The projects that I commissioned today demonstrate and testify to growth and development when the state and federal government work in partnership in shared purpose.

“The IPP is a blessing and I thank you for embarking on it. There can be no industrialization and skill development and empowerment without power, that is a vision. I assure Nigerians that we will have electricity to power our growth.

“I thank you and I will encourage you, and I will support you to do more . The spirit of partnership that you mentioned is there . You are the goose that lays the golden egg, and we will continue to partner to make it a golden Niger Delta, that is my assurance to Bayelsa State and Nigeria, that we will continue to focus on development that make our nation grow. It is very important that we are transparent and honest with our people.”

While speaking, the host governor Senator Douye Diri, prayed the president to extend the same gesture he extended Nembe/Brass road to the Sagbama-Ekeremor – Agge Road and the Yenagoa – Oporoma – Ukubie Road.

“We also respectfully implore Your Excellency to direct the relevant authorities to re-imburse the State for the phases already completed by the Bayelsa State Government.

“With Bayelsa’s extensive coastal assets, we fully align with the Federal Government’s initiative to develop the blue economy. The global marine and blue economy, estimated to generate at least US$2.5 trillion annually, is a vast opportunity, and as the first state to establish a dedicated Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, we are grateful for the Federal Government’s encouragement and support.

“Equally significant is the iconic 630-metre Angiama-Oporoma Bridge – a project promised by the federal government more than six decades ago, long predating your administration but left to gather dust in bureaucratic files. We are delighted that the modest effort of the Government of Assured Prosperity has finally addressed this pain. It has righted a historical injustice against one of Nigeria’s top oil-producing Local Government Areas.

“Your Excellency, I am pleased to inform you of the far‑reaching benefits of this initiative. Over 60 communities and kingdoms in Constituencies 3 and 4 in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, as well as Constituency 3 in Brass Local Government Area, will enjoy significantly reduced travel times and lower transportation costs. This project will act as a catalyst for local development, stimulating economic activity, and strengthening the socioeconomic fabric of these zones”.

Diri speaking further said, the newly commissioned projects, together with the 30,000-seat international stadium, the nine-storey state secretariat under construction, as well as roads and bridges connecting rural communities otherwise separated by water, constitute a coherent and strategic suite of investments anchored in the Assured Prosperity agenda of our government.

“The Yenagoa/Oporoma/Ukubie, Nembe/Brass, and Sagbama/Ekeremor/Agge roads we are aggressively pushing form a trio of senatorial causeways that terminate at the Atlantic Ocean and open up significant prospects in the blue economy.

” With Bayelsa’s extensive coastal assets, we fully align with the Federal Government’s initiative to develop the blue economy. The global marine and blue economy, estimated to generate at least US$2.5 trillion annually, is a vast opportunity, and as the first state to establish a dedicated Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, we are grateful for the Federal Government’s encouragement and support.

” Permit me to acknowledge the strong partnership between Bayelsa State and the Federal Government — a partnership forged by common purpose and strengthened by co‑operation. Your Excellency’s facilitation of waivers for the importation of turbines and related equipment for our Independent Power Plant and the award of phase two of the Nembe/Brass Road, among others, exemplify that partnership in action”.