Against the backdrop of a huge infrastructure deficit, galloping inflation, challenging terrain, and time constraints, Okungbowa Aiwerie reports a race against time by Governor Douye Diri as he bids to complete several multibillion-naira projects before February 14, 2028, when his tenure lapses.
Despite the general perception of its status as an oil-rich state, Bayelsa has lagged in infrastructure development, an area Governor Diri hopes to correct. Whether he falters or succeeds, only time will tell!
Speaking in an interview with The Nation, Johnny Derek, Chairman of the Bayelsa State African Democratic Congress (ADC), maintained that with an election looming, Diri might be trying to win public support by embarking on several projects.
According to him, genuine development should be the driving force behind project execution rather than using projects to win votes.
His words, “I believe the ideal thing is to take into account procedures, processes that will ensure speedy completion of projects. I want to believe that the government has been able to put that into consideration. Let me not think for them, but Gov Diri will definitely be held accountable for any information dished out to the public. I want to believe Gov Diri and the technocrats in his administration have taken their time to arrange the project timelines before coming up with deadlines. We are watching. We will give our opinions at the appropriate time.”
On whether the administration has bitten more than it can chew, given the time limits and magnitude of the projects, Derek said, “Bayelsa government has a lot of resources, especially with increased federal allocations to ensure speedy completion of these projects. I don’t think he (Gov Diri) has bitten more than he can chew, except otherwise they don’t want to complete the projects.”
But Bayelsa Works and Infrastructure Commissioner, Mr Moses Teibowei, a chartered surveyor, who spoke in an interview with The Nation, noted that “a quiet revolution” in infrastructure development is ongoing, adding that the creation of a 15000 hectare ‘New Yenagoa City’- a large-scale urban development project in the state capital, initiated by previous administrations but accelerated by Diri’s administration, is a stellar example.
He enthused that the ‘New Yenagoa City’ will address the age-long infrastructure deficit of Yenagoa, the state capital.
The project, according to him, involves massive road construction, legislative quarters, civil servants’ estates that also include a yet to be completed new government residential quarters, a secretariat, and a stadium to expand the capital city and provide modern infrastructure.
He said the new city, which nestles on the bank of the muddy, slow-moving River Nun, is a modern, well-planned city, with significant land preparation, including sand-filling, and the construction of multiple dual-carriage roads to access key areas and connect to the existing city.
His words, “About 95% of the roads in New Yenagoa City have been completed. Roads 1 and 2 were commissioned during the last anniversary, while roads 3 to 6 will be commissioned when His Excellency celebrates his sixth year in office.
“After completing the dual carriageways, our next focus is to commence work on the internal single-carriage roads, which will serve plots between the major roads.”
Continuing, “We have been abused over the years that Bayelsa is not well planned, we want to move away from that narrative to showcase to the people that we have the workers. I was the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Surveys when the place was planned. And it was our own town planners from the Ministry of Lands and Surveys that actually planned the ‘New Yenagoa City’ because they are qualified professionals; we did not engage any external body to do it. We used strictly civil servants. I thank God that as the Commissioner for Works to ensure the implementation of that plan.”
He described the project as “well-planned and a remarkable infrastructural milestone” that will cement the state’s socio-economic status in the Southsouth geopolitical zone.
Teibowei further disclosed that work had begun on the Angiama-Oporma Bridge, a 630-meter structure which is set to become the longest bridge in Bayelsa State.
He added that only the St. Nicholas River Bridge, which will connect Phase One and Phase Two of the Nembe-Brass Road project (the latter already awarded by the Federal Government), when completed, would be longer.
While acknowledging improved federal allocations to states, Teibowei lamented inflation’s impact on project costs.
He said, “Twenty-one kilometres of road now costs ₦156 billion. The same road length was awarded for ₦56 billion a few years ago, later revised to ₦116 billion. Inflation is biting harder.”
Diri has been relentless in his drive to upgrade infrastructure. During a recent inspection tour, he lamented that projects undertaken by his administration were inspired by decade’s long neglect and underdevelopment of his Ijaw ethnic group.
He restated his administration’s commitment to break the jinx of underdevelopment.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, it highlighted the 630-metre Angiama-Oporoma link bridge as a classic example of neglect of the Ijaw ethnic group,
It stressed that with its completion in December 2025, it will link the Oporoma community, headquarters of Southern Ijaw LGA, which has remained inaccessible by road for over six decades.
Alabrah, further quoting Diri, said that, being a former Ijaw activist, he had first-hand knowledge of the injustice and long neglect in Ijawland, adding that as governor, he was in a better position to address some of the development challenges of his people.
His words: “Many do not understand where I’m coming from. I was an Ijaw activist, and so I’m coming from a background of deprivation. The Ijaws are a people who have been deprived over the years, and here I’m having the opportunity to address some of these deprivation issues.
“So, I do not need anybody to tell me what to do because I was already aware of the level of deprivation in Ijawland. This little opportunity that I have, I need to prove to our people that our government is taking the right steps in tackling these challenges. It is not enough to be shouting and criticising.”
He said the government had met its contractual obligations by fully funding the 630-meter Angiama-Oporoma bridge and commended the contractor for the progress achieved.
Continuing, “This is a local government headquarters that has been inaccessible by road for over 60 years, and it is a jinx we are poised to break. The quality and pace of work done speak to the competence of the construction company.
“On the part of the government, we are keeping to our promises by not failing in terms of funding the projects. We are all happy – the contractor, government and indeed the beneficiaries, which are the people of this local government area.”
Another legacy project is the new ultra-modern 25,000 capacity stadium at Igbogene, which has a 24-month duration.
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Diri said in spite of cost implications, his administration was determined to make the stadium a reality and urged young people in the state to seize the opportunity and strive for excellence.
He urged oil multinationals operating in the state, as well as other government and private agencies, to support the project in line with global practice, where big business brands support sports.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, stating that the project was at the foundation stage of piling and sand-filling.
“The foundation is the most important aspect of this project. If you do not get the foundation right, then everything will collapse, particularly in a terrain like ours. You need a very solid foundation.
“It follows that for a stadium project like this, you need to pile and do a lot of sand-filling. I’m satisfied with what I have seen today. It is clear to me that even with the rains, work can continue here.”
On the cost variation of projects, Diri said his government was not expecting additional costs as contracts were awarded after the national economic downturn and based on current prices.
He expressed optimism that the projects would be delivered within the stipulated time frame, assuring that no project embarked upon by his administration would be abandoned.
To cap off Diri’s infrastructure initiatives are the N46 billion ultra- modern nine- storey Bayelsa Secretariat and the state-owned 60 mw Gas Turbine projects.
Diri described the secretariat as a modern electronic facility designed to address the persistent office space challenges faced by civil servants.
He noted that the demand for improved office accommodations had been a recurring request from workers, particularly on Workers’ Day, prompting his administration to take action.
His words, “What propelled me to build a new secretariat was the civil servants’ request for office accommodation, which was raised repeatedly every Workers’ Day,”
According to him, 30% of the project sum had been disbursed to contractors, with another 20% set for release upon commencement, assuring that funding would not be an issue.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure for Bayelsa, Mr. Moses Teibowei, stated that the nine-storey building would feature eco-friendly designs, covering 3,675.633 square meters with parking for 155 vehicles.
Also the gas powered turbine, set to be commissioned in December 2025 but shifted to February 2026, is another landmark project initiated by the Diri administration to boost the local economy.
During a recent visit at the project site in Elebele, Ogbia LGA, Diri reiterated that the gas turbine project remains a top priority for his administration, as it directly aligns with his Prosperity Agenda to boost infrastructure and improve the standard of living for residents.
He maintained that the completion of the gas turbine will mark the beginning of a new era of 24-hour electricity supply in the state.
