The people of Ogbia Kingdom have applauded the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for what the called his purposeful leadership of the state.
Ogbia Kingdom is host of the first commercial oil well, the Oloibiri well, where former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan hails from.
The Kingdom, led by their monarch, King Dumaro Charles Owaba (Obanobhan iii), midweek, gave the commendation during a “Thank-You-Visit” to Government House, Yenagoa.
In an address presented on behalf of the Kingdom by the legal adviser of the monarch, Barr. Ernest Omiloli, the Kingdom said they were highly impressed with the Governor for promoting good governance in the state.
The Ogbia people noted that they were particularly pleased with the Governor and his team for their passion in tackling issues of development as evidenced in infrastructure provision and other projects across the state.
The Kingdom listed the achievements of the present administration in Ogbia land to include: Construction and commissioning of the bridge and an adjoining road at Imiringi, construction of three important bridges and rehabilitation of Elebele community access road and construction of a psychiatric hospital at Ogbia town.
Other projects, according to the Ogbia people, include rehabilitation of the Otuoke-Onuebum road and construction of a pavilion at Ogbia town.
The former President’s kinsmen also expressed gratitude to the Governor for actively participating in the 15th memorial celebration of the late sage, Chief Melford Okilo, the first civilian Governor of old Rivers State, and the appointment of their sons and daughters into his government.
They requested that when re-elected, the “Prosperity Government” should consider the construction of some roads in Ogbia Local Government Area.
Amongst roads they requested Governor Diri to construct upon his reelection are, the Akaba-Ogu Road in Yenagoa Local Government Area to Okodi in Ogbia Local Government Area; Otuabagi-Idema-Emaguo-Okoroba-Akani Road; Otakeme-Otakpein-Otuogidi Road, and the Ewoi-Otuabula 2 and Abobiri Roads.
The Tide further learnt that Ogbia Kingdom span communities in the present Ogbia Local Government Area and some communities in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, including some communities of Abua-Odual and Ahoada-West Local Government Areas of Rivers State, which share borders with Bayelsa State.
In his response, Governor Douye Diri thanked the Ogbia people for supporting his administration.
The state’s helmsman, however, noted that the Akaba-Okodi Road, which is one of the roads on their request list, was already being constructed by his administration, assuring that the administration was committed to spreading development to al parts of the state.
The Governor stressed the need for the leadership of the area to focus on security and not condone acts of lawlessness.
“We cannot continue to have criminals taking over our communities, or using our communities to perpetrate crime.
“The moment you see your son or daughter drifting towards crime, it is your duty to check them. If they refuse, it is also your duty to report to the appropriate authorities.
“If you condone them with the belief that they are your children, one day you will be held responsible.
“When the Elebele bridge totally collapsed, that route was no longer in use. Today that bridge has been constructed, completed and inaugurated, and I’m always happy whenever l drive on it.
“For us as a state, our needs are different from that of others. What we spend here to construct a bridge is different from what is spent in other places to construct a similar bridge.
“But we are happy that by doing these projects, we are touching the lives of our people and changing the narrative about our state”, he said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa