By Kola Oredipe
When Senator Douye Diri emerged Governor of Bayelsa State in 2020, many people particularly members of the opposition never gave him a chance.
Due to their ignorance about his solid background and his administrative acumen, they underrated his capacity to deliver.
It was a seasoned American basketball coach, John Wooden who said, “It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.”
This is true after all for Senator Diri whose touch of excellence in his Assured Prosperity administration has proven many naysayers wrong. Yes, it has taken him time to build a robust profile and deep administrative experience. The display of great attitude by Senator Diri, a distinguished secondary school teacher, Ijaw activist, former Youth and Sports Commissioner, Deputy Chief of Staff, Principal Secretary, two time member of the National Assembly at both the Green and Red Chambers, and his impact as Governor over the time now make him, a true giant wearing a golden shoe!
This shoe has brought honours in recognition of outstanding performance of the current Assured Prosperity Administration to the Governor from different quarters; far and near.
Even those in opposition now confess to the magic wand of Governor Diri, as an agent of development and master builder of a new Bayelsa State.
Ralph Marston, a former American footballer and Insurance expert, once said, “Excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude.”
After a few months in office, the excellence in Diri, began to manifest. This governor dared the “impossibilities”, commencing many massive and gigantic projects certain leaders in the past will not venture into. Yes, the Governor has remained very humble and unassuming.
The ongoing three Senatorial road projects are capital intensive and strategic to the economic development of the state by opening up several riverine communities and creation of access to the rich maritime domain leading to the Atlantic Ocean in Agge, Twon-Brass and Koluama communities.
While the government inherited the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road and Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge road, the historic Nembe-Brass road was started by Governor Diri. What a landmark of history!
Building a 630 metres long bridge across famous River Nun along the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road, is no mean feat.
Today, a new city, the New Yenagoa City, is emerging with many infrastructures within the State capital. The new GRA is a wonder to behold. Governor Diri, is clearly a man who sees tomorrow; dreams big in building a peaceful, united and prosperous Bayelsa State.
Again, under Senator Diri, a revolution is here in his quest to build new Legacy Projects. The Governor has initiated the move to build an Independent Power Plant through Gas Turbines to make possible ,24-hours uninterrupted power supply in the state. Yes, it takes vision to embark on this project that will become a reality before the end of this year.
Other legacy projects recently started by this government include the 25,000 capacity modern stadium and the iconic 9-storey Secretariat Complex to add to the aesthetic beauty of Yenagoa metropolis and provide conducive working environment to civil servants in the state.
In just five years in office, Governor Diri, has disarmed the opposition by bringing his excellent performance to bear on governance.
Indeed, this Governor, has nothing new to prove, Bayelsans have reached the consensus that Governor Diri, has performed creditably to earn ‘another term.’ But sadly, there won’t be a third term for him but surely, history will be kind to him for his invaluable contributions to the infrastructural development of Bayelsa State.
He has earned a prime place in the history book of Bayelsa State as a man, who came, saw the development challenges and took giant steps to build critical infrastructures.
Bayelsans will continue to honour and acknowledge his deep passion and excellence in service.
In truth, goodness, is the only investment that never fails, hence, the golden shoes worn by Governor Diri, for changing the face of development across the eight Local Government Areas of the State. Senator Douye Diri, a giant not in physical built but in ideas and vision, has indeed become truly, a celebrated Bayelsa Governor of this era!
Oredipe, is Director-General, Bayelsa Government New Media.
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