Bayelsa to begin construction of second flyover in Yenagoa
…Governor decries arms stockpiling
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration would prioritise the construction of a second flyover in the Etegwe-Edepie axis of Yenagoa, the state capital, to tackle frequent traffic gridlock in fulfilment of his election promises.
Senator Diri stated this on Sunday during the thanksgiving reception of the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly, Hon. Oboku Oforji, on his victory in court over alleged certificate forgery.
The governor had earlier attended a thanksgiving service in honour of the lawmaker at the Church of God Mission, Yenagoa Headquarters.
Senator Diri in a press release by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the cost of the flyover would be reflected in this year’s budget to be presented soon to the House of Assembly.
He disclosed that the flyover would be completed in due time to ease traffic congestion in the area.
He said: “This period is not for campaigns. We are now in power and we promised you so many things. Your representative has reminded me about some of these.
“Let me say that the Etegwe-Edepie flyover project will be included in this year’s budget to be presented soon to the House of Assembly. My predecessor did well not to have done the budget. He had insisted that it will be done by the incoming government. So, for that reason, I gave the promise about the flyover at Edepie.
“No matter how lean our resources are, we will start something in that area and we know that the area is a point of traffic into Yenagoa, the capital city. We are going to work from this year and not long from now, we will complete that flyover.”
Earlier, in his remarks at the thanksgiving service, Senator Diri condemned what he said was the stockpiling of arms and other dangerous weapons in order to foment trouble in the state.
He advised those involved in the nefarious act to embrace peace or be ready to face the full weight of the law.
He said the democracy being practised in the country allowed the people to chose their leaders and wondered why anyone would want to kill because of politics when the outcome of elections is not in their favour.
He restated his position that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not lose the November 16, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa but that it was rigged out with the assistance of federal might.
He again thanked God for his victory at the Supreme Court while praising Hon. Oforji’s steadfastness and loyalty during the court cases that culminated in the sacking of the APC and its candidate on February 13, 2020.
He said loyalty and capacity are ingredients for a successful political career and praised Oforji for standing by him and the PDP throughout the ordeal in court.
He thanked Bayelsans, especially the clergy, for their relentless prayers and support just as he appealed to PDP faithful in the state to be magnanimous in victory
He said his administration’s mantra “Consolidation for Prosperity” is focused on impacting positively on the lives of the people and assured that he would continue to prioritise their welfare in the next four years.
Earlier, Hon. Oforji said the thanksgiving was to appreciate God for his victory in court over alleged certificate forgery.
He explained that the error was committed by his school and it had to appear in court to defend his certificate and enable him secure victory over the opposition.
In a sermon titled “Your Position Is From God”, the Zonal Coordinator, Church of God Mission, Reverend Magnus Esuikup, said no man can attain any position without God’s endorsement.
According to him, connection, affiliation or background are not enough to attain any position in life, adding that God made Diri the governor of Bayelsa.
He advised political leaders to put God and the people above themselves.
