TheNewsGuru

Tag: Douye Diri

  • Oil companies responsible for environmental degradation in Bayelsa – Diri

    Oil companies responsible for environmental degradation in Bayelsa – Diri

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa says International Oil Companies (lOCs), particularly Shell Petroleum Development Company, have been responsible for the environmental degradation in the state.

    Diri disclosed this at the Annual Convention and Fund Raising of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) of the Americas,  held in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Sunday.

    The congress has the theme: “Ijaw-Nation: Nurturing Partnership through Symbiotic Relationships Towards Homeland, Social, and Economic Development’’.

    The governor specifically fingered Shell as a major culprit in the degradation of the Bayelsa environment.

    “After waiting for several years for dialogue without Shell or any other IOC coming forward, we will be compelled to institute legal action against the Dutch super oil major and other IOCs.

    ‘‘Today, Shell is divesting and I call on the Minister of Petroleum (Oil) that we have a duty to ensure that Shell’s divestment must take care of ameliorating our environment.

    “Today, our flora and fauna are gone. Our beautiful environment is also gone.

    “We will need the support of our brothers and sisters in the diaspora because there is so much we will achieve if we work together,’’ Diri said.

    In his remarks, Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), sought the support of ljaw people in joining hands with President Bola Tinubu on the advocacy against oil theft and environmental pollution.

    Lokpobiri said: “If you go to our area in Bayelsa State, it is likely to be the most polluted state but people may not know.

    “What is responsible for this pollution, it could be mainly the people or companies. The people in that state are involved in getting illegal crude oil for illegal refining.

    “After the refining they throw the rest into the river.

    “You will agree with me that by the law, Federal Government owns the water and land resources. So, it behoves everyone to join hands together to fight this menace,” he said.

    The Minister urged Nigerians in diaspora to support the efforts of the government, so that the environment can be preserved.

    He appealed to ljaw people in diaspora to tell Nigerians in Niger Delta region to stop pipeline vandalisation.

    “It will cause more harm to the communities than the little money they will make.

    “No matter the proceed gotten from the illegal refining, it can not feed the people of the communities, so , we appeal to those perpetuating such acts to desist.

    “President Tinubu will continue to support all Nigerians in diaspora, including the ljaw people because we occupy strategic position in the country and oil still remains the main strength of our economy.

    “It accounts for at least 90 per cent of forex. We occupy the entire areas of coastline.

    “For us to benefit from this resource, we need to work with government at all levels,” he added.

    Earlier, the President General of INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said the choice of the theme of this year’s event  is very apt and captivating.

    According to Okaba, the theme seeks to identify and address the divergent means, methodologies and strategies of rejigging, mobilisng, galvanising, repositioning credible and symbiotic linkages as well as partnership among the Ijaws in the Americas and others in diaspora.

    “Despite the God-given enormous human and natural resources of the Ijaws, who are equally ranked among the four largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Ijaw nation, the focus of this conversation, is badly impoverished, brutally balkanised, neglected, and undermined by successive administrations in Nigeria, even before independence.

    “The Ijaw local economy is badly articulated. This is worsened by the lack of meaningful wealth creation/empowerment and employment opportunities.

    “The Ijaw ecosystem, to say the least, the worst ever anywhere in the world, has continuously faced unmitigated catastrophes arising largely from oil and gas exploitation-related pollution without any reasonable form of remediation and compensation.

    “The Ijaws suffer a slave and stranger status in a nation where they are aboriginal and the producers of its economic mainstay,’’ he said.

  • Gov Diri, Jonathan, others pay last respects to Queen Daukoru

    Gov Diri, Jonathan, others pay last respects to Queen Daukoru

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Saturday paid his last respects to the late Queen Gladys Daukoru, wife of the Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom, His Eminence, King Edmund Daukoru.

    Diri, at the funeral of the deceased at King Koko’s Square, Nembe, Bayelsa, said she lived to contribute to the development of Nembe and the entire state.

    The state governor, who was joined by other prominent indigenes of the state, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, said the departed lived a positively impactful life.

    Diri was represented by his deputy, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

    According to the governor, the major lesson to learn from her journey through life was that she did not allow her humble family background to force her back on the ground.

    Admitting a huge vacuum had been created by her exit at the age of 55, he called on the family and people of Nembe to take solace in her legacy of an impactful life.

    Speaking at the Palace of the Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom, Diri said the state government was saddened by the death of a woman he described as a true mother in the state.

    According to him, losing a loved one at any age is always a traumatic and painful experience.

    In his remarks, Jonathan described the late Daukoru as a virtuous woman who promoted peace and unity among the people of Nembe kingdom.

    He added that she symbolised the very embodiment of hope and selfless service.

    Jonathan, who noted that the loss of a spouse was a painful experience, urged the family to find consolation in the impactful life she lived.

    Responding, the husband of the deceased, His Eminence Edmund Daukoru, thanked the governor and his entourage for their support and presence at the funeral of his departed wife.

    Daukoru commended the governor for his prudent management of scarce resources, noting it has enabled his administration to embark on impactful developmental projects in the three senatorial districts of Bayelsa.

    He hoped that with the political will, commitment and interest the governor had shown towards the construction of the Nembe-Brass Road, it would be completed and put to use in record time.

    He prayed God to grant Diri and his deputy the wisdom, strength, initiative and kind hearts to expand the frontiers of development in the state.

    “Honestly, I can’t thank you enough because apart from the condolence visit you paid earlier; you have taken time to come for the actual interment processes.

    “We are very happy with you and this relationship will last as long as life endures,” he said.

    The funeral was attended by the state Speaker, Chief Abraham Ingobere, and members of the state House of Assembly, heads of state agencies, judiciary, government officials and traditional rulers.

    Recall that the late Daukoru died on Nov. 14, 2023.

  • Diri sets up committee on new minimum wage

    Diri sets up committee on new minimum wage

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has set up a committee to work out modalities for implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the state’s civil service.

    The committee is headed by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei.

    Other members included the Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, the Commissioner for Finance, Maxwell Ebibai, his Labour, Productivity and Employment counterpart, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Peter Akpe.

    The committee has the end of May 2024 to submit its report.

    Diri made the pronouncement on Wednesday at the 2024 Workers Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.

    The governor assured that his administration would implement a new minimum wage once the committee submitted its report, adding that the state workers always have emoluments as their federal counterparts.

    Diri stressed that the welfare of workers had always been a top priority of his administration as attested to by the numerous worker-friendly policies he initiated.

    He equally promised to commence the building of a new befitting secretariat complex for civil servants to accommodate the increasing workforce.

    The state’s helmsman, who described workers as the backbone of development in society, attributed the achievements in his first tenure to the support and contributions of civil servants.

    He called for continuous harmonious working relationship with his government in order to bequeath lasting legacies.

    The Bayelsa helmsman also approved an annual step increment for civil servants, release of funds for completion of the state secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    “The committee is to immediately look into what the Federal Government has done on the proposed minimum wage and see the possibility of domesticating it in Bayelsa.

    “It is given until the end of May to submit its report.

    “My dear workers of Bayelsa, you have done so well. You know that you are the engine room of this government. We have succeeded because you have done so well. We receive commendations everywhere we go.

    “In terms of infrastructure, human capacity building and other sectors, we have done well. I say you should continue to keep it up.”

    According to him, together, we are building a Bayelsa of our dreams, a beacon of hope, a model of progress and a testament to our unity of purpose.

    “The tangible evidence of these fruitful collaborations is that abundantly, we have made it clear for all to see in the plethora of transformative legacy projects that now span the length and breadth of our state, touching the lives of all Bayelsa people.

    “Let us continue to work together so that the future of our state will be established.

    “Beyond the ongoing renovation, we will look at the option of building a new state-of-the-art secretariat complex to accommodate the expanding workforce,” he said.

    Earlier, the workers eulogised the governor for his labour-friendly policies that had improved their working condition.

    In a joint address by the chairman of the NLC, Comrade Barnabas Simon, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Laye Julius, the workers specifically thanked the governor for approving payment of wage award to all categories of workers in Bayelsa.

    “We thank you for the regular conduct of promotion exercises and implementation, prompt payment of salaries of workers and pensioners, among others.

    “Organised labour in Bayelsa is most sincerely grateful for your kind and favourable disposition to the needs and aspirations of workers in the state.

    “Your open-door policies and swift response to most of our demands in the last four years is highly appreciated,” they said.

    They, however, appealed for an upward review of the wage award, improved transportation system for workers, and mapping out of acquired lands for civil servants.

  • Palliatives not solution to hardship in Nigeria – Gov Diri

    Palliatives not solution to hardship in Nigeria – Gov Diri

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has said offering palliatives was not the lasting solution to the economic hardship in the country.

    Governor Diri said this when he spoke during the Easter Sunday service at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church in his community, Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

    The Governor said even though he was not against palliatives, he was more concerned with putting in place the right structures and systems to address the economic challenges.

    He said his administration was initiating policies and programmes that would bring about long-term empowerment to people of the state rather than short-term palliatives.

    According to him, the government was tackling manpower shortage and the skills challenge by establishing technical colleges in the eight local government areas, embarking on skills acquisition programmes, building roads to connect the hinterlands as well as other infrastructure that would bring socio-economic empowerment to the people.

    Governor Diri also stressed that the government alone cannot provide for everyone and called on the people to get involved in businesses and other meaningful ventures toward adding value to their lives and the state.

    He said: “There is nowhere in the world that the government does everything for you. Let us get involved in businesses. Take advantage of our skills acquisition programmes and that way you will add value to yourselves and Bayelsa State. That way youths will become productive.”

    On the significance of the Easter celebration, Diri urged the people to learn from the lessons of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot and that of the doubting Thomas Didymus in the scripture.

    He advised that Christians should imbibe the virtues of trust, honesty and faithfulness in order to have a better society.

    In a sermon, the Bishop of Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Funkuro Amgbare, said the power in the resurrection of Jesus Christ brought about salvation for Christians.

    Bishop Amgbare, who urged the clergy to always uphold the truth and propagate the gospel, decried the moral decadence in the church and stressed the need to reverse the trend.

    Governor Diri read the first and only lesson at the service taken from the book of John 20:1-18.

  • No govt will deliberately inflict hardship on citizens – Gov Diri

    No govt will deliberately inflict hardship on citizens – Gov Diri

    No government will deliberately inflict hardship on its citizens, says Gov. Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State.

    Diri made the assertion while addressing workers in Yenagoa on Tuesday, during the nationwide protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    Recall that the NLC had mobilised workers for a nationwide protest against the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians.

    The governor said that the solution to the current hardship in the country was in the immediate restoration of the value of naira.

    He promised to work with the state Head of Service and the organised labour to evolve measures towards cushioning the effect of the current economic hardship.

    In his address, the Chairman, Bayelsa Council of NLC, Mr Barnabas Simon, said that the ailing economy was caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and spike in exchange rate.

    ”This has made life quite unbearable for workers and the ordinary citizens at large.

    ”The spiralling inflation in cost of basic food, goods and services has made survival to become a herculean task for many families,” he said.

    The protesting workers walked from Lambert Eradiri Drive through Melford Okilo Road and terminated at the Bayelsa Government House.

    The workers sang solidarity songs and carried placards with inscriptions such as, ‘Politicians! Let the Poor Breathe’,  ‘End Hunger and Poverty’, ‘We Reject IMF Policies’ among others.

  • Bayelsa Gov decries arming non-State actors during elections

    Bayelsa Gov decries arming non-State actors during elections

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed concern over the arming of civilians by politicians during elections in the country, with the intention of manipulating the electoral process.

    Senator Diri stated this on Sunday during a special retirement thanksgiving service in honour of Air Vice Marshal Nelson Calmday at the Living Faith Church of God at Akenfa-Epie, Yenagoa.

    Senator Diri, who said the development portends grave danger to the country’s electoral system, noted that as a result of the trend, there was a general notion that the game of politics was synonymous with violence, corruption and dishonesty.

    The governor said most decent people dread politics because of such a notion.

    He, however, dismissed the perception and rather encouraged such people, particularly Christians, to get actively involved in politics towards sanitising the electoral system.

    Diri stressed the need for all stakeholders to join hands to work together to change the narrative for the sake of posterity.

    He said: “Politics actually should be played by decent and honest people, who are ready to serve and protect the interest of the people.

    “How long will Africans continue to play politics of violence, brigandage and impunity as if we are in the stone age? We should learn to rise above such antics  in our electoral system.

    “In sane climes, elections take place peacefully without violence. Should we hand over this state to a group of gangsters; people who think the state belongs to them?”

    Senator Diri, who also attended a thanksgiving service/children dedication of the member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Oforji Oboku, at the Church of God Mission, Yenizuegene, also condemned the incidence of vote-buying during elections.

    The governor said: “There is what we call poverty of the mind apart from poverty of the pocket. There is also integrity in poverty. When your mind is intact, nobody will influence you with little money.

    “You have tested our government, which says we will not use any organ to kill anybody. We want our state to be peaceful; we want our state to develop. You are seeing it, but on the day of election, you collect money to vote for those who do not mean well for the state. Those you do not see until election season and afterwards they disappear.”

    In his remarks, Hon. Oforji Oboku revealed that he has a cordial relationship with the governor and has supported him from when he contested election into the House of Representatives, Senate and the governorship.

    He appreciated Governor Diri for reciprocating the goodwill he gets from supporters.

    Speaking during the unveiling of his hospitality facility, AVM Calmday thanked the governor for the relative peace in the state, saying that Bayelsa was one of the safest states to invest in the country.

    The retired Air Force officer attributed his successful completion of 38 years of service and the facility to God, who he said saw him through several difficult moments.

  • Prepare handover notes – Gov Diri tells cabinet members

    Prepare handover notes – Gov Diri tells cabinet members

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has directed members of the State Executive Council (SEC) to begin to prepare their handover notes as his first term in office winds down.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Diri gave the directive on Wednesday during the 126th SEC meeting inside the executive council chambers in Government House, Yenagoa.

    Diri will be sworn in for another term on February 14.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the Governor as asking them to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in their handover notes in order to achieve a smooth transition to his second term.

    The Governor commended his cabinet members for adding value to the state through their performance and thanked them for the selfless service they rendered in the last four years.

    He noted that the achievements recorded by his administration in its first term was collective and was not an exclusive preserve of himself or his deputy.

    The state’s helmsman urged them to continue to contribute their best till the end of the term.

    He said: “As you are aware, our administration is winding down its first tenure and I know you will not wait for me to tell you to start preparing your handover notes. I believe some of you have started from last year. At the end of the day, everybody will see what you have done.

    “I want to commend you for the selfless service you have rendered in the last four years and as you prepare your notes, dot the i’s and cross the t’s. So, for future purposes, those who will take over or even if you are continuing, you will be guided.

    “I commend you for the spirit of oneness, unity and love we all saw in this executive council. That is why we have achieved so much under this four years. That is why the people said this government must come back for the next four years.

    “It was not an exclusive preserve of myself as governor or my deputy governor. Yes, we led the pack but all of you contributed very well to the successes we have recorded in infrastructure, education, health, sports, security and even in the judiciary.

    “So on behalf of the deputy governor, I say a big thank you to this state executive council. We have not dissolved the cabinet yet and today is not the last day.”

    Earlier, the council held a valedictory session for a late former Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Steven Ogullah.

    Governor Diri said it was the policy of his administration to honour Exco members that served meritoriously.

    He, however, said he would propose an amendment to the policy to ensure that only those who served the state without blemish would be honoured.

    Diri described the late Finance Commissioner as a dedicated man, who gave his all to the service of the state and that he will be greatly missed.

    He said even out of office, Ogullah remained committed to service to the state as he was very supportive of his administration until his last days.

    He also stated that Ogullah formed an organisation to galvanise support for his re-election and expressed gratitude to the departed commissioner for his abiding loyalty and support.

    The governor urged members of his family to be comforted by his footprints in the development of the state, which he said will remain indelible.

    In separate remarks, his former cabinet colleagues eulogised Ogullah. Mr. Kesiye Oputu, Blessing Akpuluma, Chief Robert Enogha and Dr. Josephine Izonbodor all described him as a loving and caring man, who took his job seriously, saying his departure was not only a colossal loss to his family but also to the state.

  • Viability index report infuriates Bayelsa Governor

    Viability index report infuriates Bayelsa Governor

    Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has again made a case for the practice of true federalism and restructuring of Nigeria in order to determine the real viability of States.

    Governor Diri spoke on Wednesday during the 124th State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.

    Diri spoke against the backdrop of a recent report on the economic and financial viability of States in the country.

    Recall the Economic Confidential in its 2022 Annual States Viability Index (ASVI) report, listed Bayelsa among six States that were allegedly financially insolvent.

    In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa Governor faulted the report.

    Diri stressed the report focused only on federal allocation and internally generated revenue to determine the viability of a State without considering how their resources were being expropriated by the federal government.

    He insisted that Bayelsa was not financially insolvent and that the viability report came from “prophets of doom.”

    The Governor said Bayelsa, with its huge oil resources, is one of the richest States but that the lopsided federalism in practice in the country had deprived it from controlling its resources and natural wealth.

    Diri described as unacceptable the situation where States’ resources were being taken by the government at the center, leaving the subnationals to depend on monthly allocation.

    He said: “The prophets of doom will always make predictions that Bayelsa State is insolvent and I think they need to stop those predictions.

    “We have called for a true and structured federalism. One of the richest states in Nigeria in terms of resources is Bayelsa. By no means will anybody convince me that our state is insolvent.

    “We have been saying return our resources to us and let us compare what Bayelsa has with other states and see if we are one of those that cannot generate internal revenue.

    “Now we depend on federal allocation where our resources have been expropriated, taken to Abuja and shared to other states. And you call us a poor state. That has to stop.”

    Before the meeting, Governor Diri swore in two new judges to enhance the administration of justice in the state.

    They are Amaebi Orukari, who was sworn in as a state high court judge and his counterpart, David Opokuma, as a judge of the Customary Court of Appeal.

    The newly judges were formerly Chief Registrars in their respective courts before the elevation.

    Delivering his charge to the jurists, Diri said his administration had made modest strides in providing the enabling environment for the state judiciary to be independent.

    He congratulated the  judges and explained that their appointment was based on the authority derived from Chapter 7 Section 271 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which prescribed the modus for appointment of the chief judge and judges of the high court of the state.

    He noted  that it was the first time since the establishment of the Bayelsa State Customary Court of Appeal that it was having a new judge.

    “It is on record that the president and judges of the Customary Court of Appeal were sworn in on March 25, 2009.

    “In an era where our society faces numerous challenges, ranging from complex legal disputes to social injustice, the role of judges becomes even more critical. Your decisions will shape the lives and destinies of individuals, families and even communities.”

    He charged them to carry out their duties with utmost integrity, impartiality and dedication in line with the principles of justice.

    The state’s helmsman further urged the judicial officers to discharge their responsibility with a deep sense of humility, remaining conscious of the enormous trust that has been placed upon them.

    “The judiciary is often referred to as the last hope of the common man and it is your duty to ensure that this hope is not extinguished.”

  • Gov Diri celebrates Jonathan at 66

    Gov Diri celebrates Jonathan at 66

    Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a unique and quintessential democrat and statesman.

    Governor Diri, who eulogised Dr. Jonathan in a congratulatory message on his 66th birthday, said the former Nigerian leader carved a niche for himself through his glowing and exemplary democratic credentials.

    In the message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, the Bayelsa governor said Jonathan remains an unrivalled pride of not only the state but also of Nigeria and indeed the African continent.

    “Your credential as a global democracy ambassador and icon is outstanding.

    “You have become a symbol of hope to nations and individuals by your exemplary conduct in public life.

    “As a people and as a state, we are fortunate to have produced a leader like you that the whole world is proud of. We remain indebted for your lofty ambassadorial profile. The Government and People of Bayelsa State celebrate this moment with you and your family.”

    While praying for greater grace and more years to celebrate his exceptional life of service, Governor Diri noted that Jonathan’s genial nature and forthright leadership attributes were worthy of emulation by younger generation of leaders.

    He thanked the former President for his peerless support, saying his guidance and wise counsel have greatly contributed to the peace and stability of Bayelsa State.

    “We pray for more fruitful years of quality service to humanity in good health,” said Diri.

  • Bayelsa election: What would have happened to my mother if Diri lost – Jonathan

    Bayelsa election: What would have happened to my mother if Diri lost – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he would have relocated his mother, Eunice Ayi Ebele Jonathan, to Abuja if Douye Diri lost the governorship election held in Bayelsa State.

    Jonathan, who himself was a Governor of Bayelsa, spoke on Friday when he visited Diri in Yenagoa, the State capital.

    The visit comes almost one week after Diri defeated Timipre Sylva, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to emerge Governor of Bayelsa.

    The former President hailed Governor Diri’s efforts at tackling insecurity, saying the Bayelsa leader’s re-election means the state would be a lot safer.

    While congratulating Diri for winning the election, Jonathan said if he had lost, the gains made in curbing insecurity would have been lost.

    “We don’t want to go into unnecessary crisis in the State. Results have been declared and we believe the election was conducted.

    “We believe the governor won the election and we plead that people should accept it and work with the governor. Let all of us support him so that the state will move ahead.

    “There should be nothing that will push the state backward. We should think about the development of the State starting from the issue of peace and security in the State which within this last period, three years plus, there are significant improvements in terms of cultism and kidnapping and so on and so forth.

    “I was saying before this election that if Diri loses this election, I would have relocated my mother to Abuja.”

    While recounting how his cousin was kidnapped and killed, Jonathan expressed optimism that with Diri returning as the governor of the state, the situation would soon be a thing of the past.

    “My cousin was kidnapped two times on one of those occasions, one of my cousins, Solo, was killed because they threw him into the river and he didn’t know how to swim.

    “So, we’ve passed through hell in this state and we’ve seen a little light at the end of the tunnel.

    “So, people should calm down, and allow Diri to focus on governance so that he will be able to propel this state forward so that we will benefit as citizens of the state,” he added.

    Diri had earlier in the day received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second term in office. He will be sworn in for another four-year tenure next year.