The Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government and the Immediate past Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Physical Planing and Development Board, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei has said the recent reforms implemented by the present administration in the state has produced a Blue Print for the proper development of the State capital and it’s environ.
Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, who made this known while handing over the Executive Chairmanship of the Physical Planing and Development Board to his successor,Tpl (Hon) Kuroakegha Dorgu,said despite the level of decay met on assumption of office, the board initiated reforms which saw the production of a Blue Print and the subsequent convocation of the first ever Physical Planing and Development Summit in the state”.
Ekeuwei emphasized that, amongst all of his public outings, activities of the Board were more tasking, adding that with the co-operation of the Executive Directors as well as the Heads of Departments, he was able to record robust successes since the inception of the Board.
According to him, “when we assumed office in 2021, because of the level of decay we met on assumption, we started with reforms and saw the production of a Blue Print and the subsequent convocation of the first ever Physical Planing and Development Summit in the state”.
He said, one of the out come of the Summit was the proclamation of the Glory Drive that spans up to Onopa as Development Planning Area by the Governor of the State, Senator Douye Diri which is now known as the new Yenagoa City.
The SSG informed that, he was the one that headed the committee that met with all the communities within the corridor of the New Yengoa City, pointing out that, with his elevation, the new Executive Chairman, Tpl (Hon) Kuroakegha Dorgu automatically becomes the chairman of the committee.
He also noted that, the area spanning from the Outer Ring Road which is from the AIT/ Elebele up until Igbogene is now known as the Greater Yenagoa, adding that, the new Executive Chairman and the committee should commence sensitization of the affected communities within the area as soon as practicable.
He, however, called on the Executive Directors as well as the Heads of Departments to extend the same co-operation to the new Executive Chairman.
In his response, the new Executive Chairman of the Board, Tpl (Hon) Kuroakegha Dorgu thanked Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei for the fit recorded in the Board, despite his background as not a Town Planner.
According to him, “When your name was announced, I doubted if you could succeed, but with your performance, I am very satisfied.”
He promised that he is going to continue from where his successor has stopped and solicited the same co-operation from both the Executive Directors, the Secretary, and the various Heads of Departments to enable him to succeed.
The new Executive Chairman, however, called on the SSG to assist the Board in establishing a Studio, more Manpower as well as vehicles to succeed in the task of running the affairs of the Board.
The Executive Directors present during the handover ceremony includes; High Chief Maku Oloye, Executive Director,Operations, Francis Ikio,Esq, Executive Director, Legal, Mr. Willy Oyadougha, Executive Director, Finance and Accounts and Mr.N.D Igiran, Secretary of the Board.
Others are,Tpl. Ineye Cole,Director, Development Control,Tpl Ockia Oba, Deputy Director,Master Plan and Urban Renewal,Mr.Akexander Amabiri,Head, Environmental Services .