Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has described as outstanding the performance of his Bayelsa State counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, in just two years in office.
He stated that Governor Diri’s achievements on his second anniversary surpassed that of some governors, particularly in the opposition party, that had been in office for almost eight years.
The Rivers State Chief Executive, fondlyrefered to as ‘Mr Project’ by his admirers and party faithful stated this in Yenagoa,theBayelsa state capital at the weekend while inaugurating projects at the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU).
Governor Wike commended his Bayelsa colleague for putting in place road infrastructure and other meaningful projects that would impact positively on the lives of the people,just as he saluted the Diri’s administration on the projects at the BMU, which include lecture halls and a pathology laboratory, saying the requirements for such a facility costs billions of naira.
The Rivers state Chief Executive promised that his administration would support the building of the university’s teaching hospital with the sum of N500 million as the institution was strategic in serving the people of both Bayelsa and Rivers states, applauding the governor Diri’sexamplary leadership in running an inclusive government, which he noted has given everyone a sense of belonging.
“Whatever problems we have we would resolve them amicably. We need to support one another as people of the Niger Delta. We need to be our brother’s keeper.Just two years in office, Governor Diri has performed exceptionally well compared to some governors on the other side that had done almost eight years.
“It is when you have something to show that you invite people to come. Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party is telling people from Sokoto in the North and people in the South-South, South- East and South-West to come and see what his government has done”, Wike said.
“That is why when God gives you the privilege and opportunity to serve, you need to thank God. While PDP governors are busy executing and inaugurating projects, others are giving excuses.Till now, Nigerians do not understand the modus operandi of the ruling All Progressives Congress, because everyday they find excuse not to sign the amended Electoral Act.
“After all that the National Assembly has done, Buhari keeps refusing to sign the amended Act. I know it is because they are afraid of the provision on electronic transmission of election results in the Act. Mark my words, Buhari won’t still sign the amended Electoral Act”, governor Wike added.
Speaking, Governor DouyeDiri said his administration was building on the vision of his predecessors in the late Chief DiepreyeAlamieyeseigha, who initially proposed a 500-bed hospital, and Senator Seriake Dickson, who later converted it to a medical institution.
Diri said the BMU was one of the best medical facilities in the country with a crop of distinguished medical professionals,just as he directed directed the Commissioners for Health, Education and Finance to ensure completion of the building project of the University’s Teaching Hospital so as to make it become functional before the end of this year.
In his welcome address, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. EbitimitulaEtebu, said the institution was established in 2018 and approved by the National Universities Commission to commence academic work in the 2019-2020 academic session,noting that the BMU, which initially offered nine academic programmes in the faculties of Science and Basic Medical Sciences through the support of Governor Diri now offers 18 programmes, which according to him, include Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, Dentistry, Optometry and Medical Laboratory Science amongst others.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells Yenagoa