Francis Dufugha
…Says Six Years of Infrastructure Investment Have Transformed Riverine Communities
…Promises Journalists Conducive Working Space, Free Wi-Fi
Dr. Wisdom Ikuli, Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Media and Public Affairs, has said that the administration of Governor Douye Diri has significantly transformed Bayelsa State through investments in road infrastructure, bridges and improved access to previously isolated riverine communities.
Ikuli made this assertion while speaking during an interaction with journalists, where he also announced plans to provide a conducive working environment and free Wi-Fi facilities for media practitioners.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Yenagoa,he maintained that Governor Diri’s administration had demonstrated remarkable commitment to opening up riverine communities through massive investments in roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
According to him, Bayelsa State, which was previously characterised by difficult terrain and limited road networks, has witnessed tremendous improvements in transportation and accessibility under the present administration.
“Before now, Bayelsa State was 75 per cent riverine. What I mean is that you could only access most of these communities through the rivers, either by speedboats or canoes,” he stated.
He explained that residents of some communities previously travelled for several hours by water to reach Yenagoa and other urban centres, a situation that often resulted in avoidable deaths during medical emergencies.
“There were places where people travelled for eight hours by canoe. In cases of medical emergencies, patients could die before reaching the nearest health facility,” he lamented.
Dr Ikuli however, claimed that the situation had changed considerably following the administration’s investment in road infrastructure.
“Within a space of six years, Governor Diri has reversed the situation. Today, 75 per cent of Bayelsa State is accessible by road, and I am ready to debate with anybody on this,” he declared.
He attributed the development to what he described as the governor’s determination, political will and commitment to addressing the state’s longstanding infrastructural challenges.
Highlighting some of the administration’s major projects, the TA mentioned ongoing road construction across Angiama, Enewari, Nembe, Brass and other communities, noting that the projects were gradually changing the economic and social landscape of the state.
He particularly drew attention to the engineering challenges associated with constructing roads and bridges across Bayelsa’s difficult swampy terrain.
According to him, the government has undertaken projects requiring extensive foundation works because of the depth and unstable nature of the soil.
“When you go to Nembe and some of these areas, constructing a road or bridge is like sinking a one-storey or two-storey building into the ground before you can build on it because of the depth of the sand filling and the nature of the terrain,” he explained.
He also referenced a 630-metre bridge constructed by the state government, describing it as one of the administration’s major engineering achievements.
Dr Ikuli criticised those who dismiss the governor’s developmental efforts without visiting project sites to assess the level of work being undertaken.
“Some people sit in the comfort of their homes and say Governor Diri is not doing anything. But when you visit Angiama, Enewari, Nembe-Brass Road and other project locations, you will begin to wonder where the governor is getting the resources to execute these projects,” he said.
Speaking on the electricity challenges experienced in Bayelsa State, he recalled the vandalisation and collapse of 19 electricity transmission towers, which plunged the state into prolonged darkness.
He explained that the affected facilities belonged to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), rather than the Bayelsa State Government.
According to him, many residents blamed Governor Diri for the blackout without understanding the circumstances surrounding the disruption of electricity supply.
“Last year, 19 electricity towers were vandalised and collapsed. People were blaming the governor without knowing that those towers belonged to the Transmission Company of Nigeria,” he stated.
He disclosed that the situation was further complicated by flooding, which made access to the affected locations difficult and delayed restoration efforts.
Ikuli said the state government had to mobilise resources and provide logistical support to facilitate repairs despite the responsibility for the transmission infrastructure resting with the federal electricity transmission agency.
He maintained that the governor’s intervention demonstrated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of Bayelsa residents.
Bayelsa No Longer Defined by Difficult Terrain, Negative Stereotypes
The TA also dismissed longstanding claims that Bayelsa’s difficult terrain made meaningful development almost impossible.
He recalled that previous administrations and political actors had frequently cited the state’s geographical peculiarities as justification for inadequate infrastructure.
According to him, some individuals even promoted superstitious narratives suggesting that the state was under a curse and could not experience meaningful development.
He described such claims as unfounded stories used to rationalise poor governance and underdevelopment.
“Before now, there was this language that Bayelsa’s terrain was difficult. They were using that as an excuse. There were even stories that a pregnant woman was buried in Government House and placed a curse on the state so that it could not develop,” he recalled.
He argued that the infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Diri administration had demonstrated that the state’s geographical challenges could be overcome through purposeful leadership and prudent investment.
Dr Ikuli further expressed concern over the negative stereotypes historically associated with Bayelsa people, including perceptions of violence, laziness and unproductivity.
He maintained that the state had made considerable progress in promoting peace, stability and development, describing Bayelsa as one of the most peaceful states in the country.
Journalists Promised Working Space, Internet Facilities
Earlier, he reaffirmed his respect for the journalism profession and disclosed plans to provide journalists with a conducive environment where they could work, conduct research and hold informal meetings.
He explained that the facility would serve as a meeting point for media practitioners who require a quiet environment to write reports, conduct interviews and undertake other professional assignments.
“This is a place where, from time to time, we will gather as a family. If you want to have some private time to write, this place is always quiet. Just come here, identify yourself to my secretary, sit down and do your work,” he said.
Responding to a question on the availability of internet services, he assured journalists that arrangements were being made to provide free Wi-Fi facilities.
“We are working on that. I am working on free Wi-Fi services and other facilities that will make the environment more comfortable for journalists,” he assured.
He described journalism as a noble profession deserving of respect and support, adding that media practitioners play an indispensable role in promoting accountability, public enlightenment and development.
“Because I respect this profession. I respect this noble profession. I am a proud member of this profession,” he declared.
He urged journalists to continue upholding the ethics of their profession while ensuring that their reports reflect factual assessments of government policies, programmes and projects.
Dr Ikuli maintained that constructive engagement between government officials and media practitioners remained essential to strengthening public understanding of development initiatives across Bayelsa State.ad, according to his assessment.
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