‘Bayelsa’s growth emotional for me’

• Osinbajo hails Diri at inauguration of road, hospital 53 years after

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the pace of development in Bayelsa State made him emotional.

Osinbajo spoke yesterday at Oporoma community, headquarters of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, during a grand reception in his honour.

The former Vice President said he was impressed by the people-oriented projects of the Diri administration.

He stressed that the governor understood the reason for governance.

In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Prof. Osinbajo recalled his visit to the state on February 19, 2022, for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Angiama-Oporoma bridge project.

The ex-VP said he had his doubts when he saw that the area was a forest.

He expressed delight that Governor Diri had proved him wrong by ensuring the completion of the 630-metre bridge and the access road to Oporoma, which had been on the drawing board for over six decades.

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He said that by his development strides, the governor had proved that God did not make a mistake in choosing him as the state’s helmsman and that the people of Bayelsa were happy with him.

Osinbajo applauded the completion of the referral hospital in Oporoma, which he also inaugurated, saying he was impressed that the project, initiated in 1973 but was completed by the Diri administration, was already performing surgeries.

Inaugurating the Agbura-Oxbow Lake road in Yenagoa Local Government Area, the former VP described the project as impactful.

He noted that it reduces travel time and connects communities to key Federal Government offices, such as the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Federal Secretariat.

Osinbajo described Diri as a man who keeps to his words and that it was rare to find such a quality within the Nigerian political space.

He said: “I am privileged to be alive and to be a part of history. This is a very special day for me; an emotional one.

“I was here for the groundbreaking (of the bridge at Angiama). At that time, it was a dream because there was no access road to one of the most prolific oil-producing local government areas in the country.

“I had my doubts, but here we are today, witnessing history. I believe that once a leader understands the reason God allowed him to serve, the people will be happy. Douye Diri has proved that God did not make a wrong choice in him. He proves every day that he is the right man for the job.

“Let me thank my brother and friend for the kind invitation to be here, because it is not often that you find men and women able to keep their words in politics. He is a man, a character who keeps his promises; faithful and loyal to his friends. Any man who keeps his promises will be faithful to his people.

“I laud him for doing what he ought to do, providing facilities to make life easy for the people. I pray that the progress today is only the beginning, and God will enable you to achieve more and Bayelsa will prosper.”

Diri thanked Osinbajo for his visit and inauguration of projects done by his administration.

He said Osinbajo loves development and Bayelsans, as exemplified by his readiness to always respond positively whenever he was invited.

The governor stressed that the essence of governance is to bring happiness to the people, assuring that his administration would continue to embark on people-oriented projects.

He said the referral hospital had not only been completed but had also been fully equipped, and promised to construct the road from Oporoma to the hospital at Osokama as well as fence the hospital.

Diri added: “A few years ago, on February 19, 2022, as Vice President, you visited and were part of the process that marked the beginning of the Angiama bridge. Our collective prayers have been answered, as that project was inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 10.

“Today, you have graciously returned to celebrate with us. For that steadfastness and support, we are grateful. You are a true son of Bayelsa State. 

“These projects you have inaugurated are important to our people. Development must be felt in our communities. For us, there is nothing like difficult terrain. This is what God has given us, and it is our duty to tame it.

“Today, this government has not only completed the referral hospital, but it has also been equipped and ready to serve the whole of constituencies 2 and 3 in Southern Ijaw. Your government is bringing healthcare to your doorsteps.”