We have initiated social investment, infrastructure projects to ensure development- Ewrujakpo

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Hon. (Barr.) Lawrence Ewrujakpo has declared that the restoration government under the leadership of Governor Seriake Dickson has so far initiated social investment and infrastructure projects to ensure comprehensive development of the State.

Highlighting the various projects initiated since the inception of the present political dispensation, he said so many gigantic projects has been executed and commissioned for used, affirming that all projects both inherited ones and other ongoing projects will be duly completed before the expiration of Governor Seriake Dickson led administration.

Hon. Ewrujakpo stated this at Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, during Inter-Ministerial/Agency briefing to effectively mark six years scorecard of Governor Dickson administration for efficient service delivery.

He promised government commitment to complete the long abandoned Sagabama - Ekeremor Road and Bayelsa International Airport, noting that most of the projects which has been initiated and completed will no doubt has created varieties of job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the State and boost the economy profile of the government.

Our Bayelsa State Correspondent reports that some of the completed projects are: Bayelsa Secretariat Annex, Governor's Office, Deputy Governor's residence, new Commissioner's quarters, Multi-Door Court Building, Restoration Flyover, State Archives, Security Control and Command Centre, Ijaw National Academy.

Others are: Boro Town Pavilion, Ecumenical Centre, Odi Pavilion, Magistrate Court, College of Agriculture, Ofoni, to mention but few.

Hon. Ewrujakpo noted that restoration flyover was not a misplaced priority but a necessity which has drastically reduce traffic jam and open the area for huge business.

He called for attitudinal change and maintenance culture among Bayelsans, adding that prior in assumption of office he reoriented and created awareness campaign among staff of his ministry to ensure effective service delivery to the masses.

According to him, parts of effort in restoring Bayelsa State, Dickson government has deemed it fit to build quality control laboratory to ascertain and test efficiency of building materials to reduce incessant collapse of building been experienced in other parts of the country.

In his earlier remarks, the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson expressed his government determination and commitment to complete all ongoing projects, noting that despite the criticism on the policies, programmes, that restoration government did not retard in rendering selfless and delivering developmental projects to all.

Governor Dickson who was represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Retd) said restoration government agenda was to tackle insecurity situation to ensure the safety of lives and property of Bayelsans with the official launching of Operation Doo-Akpo and procurement of security gun boats in the waterways, noting that government has laid a solid foundation that are critical for successive governments to build upon in the State.

According to the Governor, government believes in Ijaw cause and will continue to strengthen Ijaw unity, stability and to track sustainable development to the region.

His words, “Our government has invested heavily on security and that was our first priority. You all know how this state was in terms of security before we take over government from our predecessor. We have launched a security outfit coined Operation Doo-Akpo and have procured hefty security gun boats to curb insecurity and sea piracy in our waterways. The choice of leadership is very, very important; a leadership that will not fall at the sound of the first gunshot”, he concluded.

In his welcome address, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Daniel Iworiso-Markson used the avenue to acknowledged and appreciate Governor Dickson for his sterling stewardship that has changed the collective story in Bayelsa, saying, “making what impossible in the past to become possible”, affirming that there is a renewed hope for brighter tomorrow for all Bayelsans.

He promised Bayelsans of the restoration government determination to bring dividends of democracy to improve the quality of life, noting that Bayelsans will soon appreciate the true meaning and impact of the investment in education, building of model boarding schools with over 5,000 students on scholarship that enjoys free nutritious meals daily and other valuable educational materials.

Iworiso-Markson described Governor Dickson as firm, resolute, pursuing, doggedly, adding that restoration government goal is vigor despite the many distractions and undue criticism that characterized the administration, which according to him, “exhibited uncommon approach to governance”.

He commended Governor Dickson for his leadership style and understanding of governance which has helped to facilitate the trend of success in the last six years, his politics of inclusion, making his government to serve the overall interest of Bayelsans and the collective interest of Ijaw nation.

His words, “and in the true spirit of today's event, therefore, I think everyone who has followed the remarkable turnaround in education, healthcare delivery, infrastructural development on all fronts, including the numerous successes recorded in virtually all sectors in the last six years, will agree with me that indeed, our six year journey as a government in the service of our people is really and truly watershed. The impact of the Restoration Government is real. I think we can better relate with our development when we realize the import of current investment and its impact on the socio-economic growth of Bayelsa State. We have seen a culture of civilised engagement with the people and even with opposition without recourse to brutality or abuse of office. The government and its leadership have been thoroughly civil as it should be in a democracy”, he averred.

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