Tinubu to APC governors: Translate governance into projects

President Bola Tinubu has commissioned several key projects in Bayelsa State in his first visit as president and called on governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to translate governance into projects.

Tinubu, who arrived in Bayelsa State on Friday, was received at the Bayelsa State International Airport by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The president commissioned the New Yenagoa City Road 1 linking the Bayelsa International Airport, Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, the 60-megawatt independent power project and a section of the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, President Tinubu promised to support Governor Diri to do more.

He noted that the governor has done well as evidenced by the number of projects he commissioned and other ongoing ones which the governor had mentioned.

The president commended Diri on the independent power project saying the project was a demonstration of the progress inherent when the federal and state government work together.

Tinubu assured that working together with the governors, the government would defeat terrorism even as men of the armed forces would continue to receive the needed training.

His words: “You have done a great job. I have commissioned some projects, very transformative projects, creating opportunities and jobs and hope of our nation. Thank you for that commitment and thank you for being a very progressive governor.

“Diri has demonstrated the power of very purposeful leadership and I am here, standing before you, promising that the challenges that we face, the memory of those who led this country face the battles and challenges of security.

“We will work hard, we will continue to train our men of the armed forces, we will defeat terrorism and banditry, regardless of their shenanigans.

“In our party APC, we believe that the people deserve to see governance translated into roads, bridges, power, jobs and real opportunities that affect human beings.

“The projects that I commissioned today demonstrate and testify to growth and development when the state and federal government work in partnership in shared purpose.

“The IPP is a blessing and I thank you for embarking on it There can be no industrialization and skill development and empowerment without power. That is a vision. I assure Nigerians that we will have electricity to power our growth.

“I thank you and I will encourage you, and I will support you to do more. The spirit of partnership that you mentioned is there. You are the goose that lays the golden egg, and we will continue to partner to make it a golden Niger Delta.

“That is my assurance to Bayelsa State and Nigeria, that we will continue to focus on development to make our nation grow. It is very important that we are transparent and honest with our people.”

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, in his address, expressed appreciation to Tinubu for the various waivers he granted the state when importing items related to the 60-megawatt gas turbines.

Diri further appreciated the president for awarding the second phase of the Nembe-Brass Road and appealed that the Federal Government should extend the same gesture to the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Koluama and Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge roads.

He equally pleaded with the president that the Federal Government reimbursed the state for the sections of the roads already completed since they were originally federal projects.

“Permit me to acknowledge the strong partnership between Bayelsa State and the Federal Government – a partnership forged by common purpose and strengthened by co‑operation. Your Excellency’s facilitation of waivers for the importation of turbines and related equipment for our Independent Power Plant and the award of phase two of the Nembe/Brass Road, among others, exemplify that partnership in action.

“We pray that you extend the same to the Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge Road and the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road. We also respectfully implore Your Excellency to direct the relevant authorities to re-imburse the state for the phases already completed by the Bayelsa State Government,” Diri said.

The governor also hailed the special partnership that Bayelsa State has with the Federal Government and prayed that, “May this moment herald the continuation of a vista in our shared journey towards a brighter, more prosperous future for all Bayelsans and Nigerians in general.”

Earlier, Nimibofa Ayawei, Secretary to the Government of Bayelsa State, welcomed President Tinubu and his delegation to the state, describing the state as “the goose that lays the golden eggs.”

Meanwhile, three persons are feared dead as a vehicle in the convoy lost control and hit some makeshift structures at the approach to the Dr Goodluck Jonathan Bridge at Obogoro.

BusinessDay gathered that the accident occurred while the convoy was returning from the commissioning of the Angiama-Oporoma Bridge.

When reached for comment, Musa Mohammed, Police Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Police Command, said he could not confirm the incident.