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Tag: Douye Diri

  • Gov. Diri commends security agencies for rescuing kidnapped expatriate

    Gov. Diri commends security agencies for rescuing kidnapped expatriate

    Gov. Duoye Diri of Bayelsa on Sunday in Yenagoa commended security agencies for the swift rescue of an expatriate kidnapped by gunmen.

    Diri gave the commendation in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi.

    The governor said the immediate rescue of the expatriate, an employee of PAACHE Construction Ltd., showed resilience and professionalism on the part of the security operatives.

    “The state government is grateful; the security agencies ensured swift response and their effort yielded immediate result,’’ he said.

    The governor also reiterated government’s commitment at ensuring adequate protection of lives and property in the state.

    “Our government has zero tolerance for crime and violence. We shall never tolerate crime,’’’ he said.

    Diri urged security agencies in the state to trail members of the kidnap gang who might have escaped with bullet wounds during the rescue mission.

    He cautioned community leaders against harbouring criminals or providing care for those injured while committing crime.

    “As good citizens, we need to support security agencies with intelligence to tackle crime more effectively,’’ he said.

    The governor urged investors and residents in the state to go about their businesses without fear, saying: “we are committed to ensuring your safety and security.’’

    PAACHE Construction Ltd. is the firm handling the 4.5-kilometer Igbedi Road project in Bayelsa.

  • Diri applauds INEC’s test run of BVAS in Delta election

    Diri applauds INEC’s test run of BVAS in Delta election

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, on Sunday, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful introduction and deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

    INEC introduced and tested the new voter accreditation device on Saturday in the Isoko South Constituency 1 bye-election into the Delta House of Assembly.

    Diri, in a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said the successful deployment of the device ensured the accreditation and voting process were fair and credible.

    The Bayelsa governor expressed optimism that deployment of the right technology alongside INEC’s sincerity portended good signals for future elections in the country.

    He noted that once INEC got the accreditation process right with proper use of technology to electronically transmit the results of elections, the outcome would reflect the true wishes of the electorate.

    Diri urged the electoral umpire to ensure that the forthcoming elections in Anambra, Osun and the 2023 general elections are free, fair and credible.

    Bayelsa governor said INEC’s honesty would instill confidence in the electoral process.

    “The successful introduction of the new voter accreditation system in Saturday’s bye-election in Delta State raises a lot of hope for future credible elections.

    “INEC’s sincerity with the electoral process would instill more confidence and bring credibility to elections in the country.

    “I, therefore, commend Prof. Yakubu and INEC for the bold steps to raise the bar of credible elections.

    “I urge the electoral umpire to ensure forthcoming elections in Anambra, Osun as well as the 2023 general election benefit from the introduction of technology to clean up our electoral process and make our elections more credible,” Diri said.

    Diri equally congratulated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Evivie Ovuokporie, who was declared winner of the bye-election by INEC.

    He said once the process was right, a winner that reflects the wishes of the people would always emerge.

    Diri also congratulated his Delta counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and the PDP family for the party’s victory at the poll.

  • PIB: Host communities provision is a time bomb – Gov Diri warns

    PIB: Host communities provision is a time bomb – Gov Diri warns

    Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has warned that the definition of a host community in the just passed Petroleum Industry Bill by the National Assembly was a time bomb if not properly addressed.

    He also restated the position of governors of the southern states that it was an injustice to allot three per cent of oil revenue for the host communities that bear the brunt of exploration and exploitation activities.

    Governor Diri spoke on Tuesday when he featured as guest on Channels Television breakfast current affairs programme, Sunrise Daily.

    He was quoted in a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, that prior to Monday’s meeting of the southern states governors in Lagos, the states had been in consultation with relevant stakeholders on their position, which he said was a minimum of 10 per cent to oil producing communities.

    He said it was unthinkable and unacceptable to people of the South that a provision of 30 per cent profit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was inserted in the controversial bill for “frontier exploration” in areas that were not clearly specified.

    Governor Diri strongly frowned at the definition of oil producing communities and host communities to include areas where pipelines are laid.

    He called for a reversal of such proposal, saying it is a time bomb that if not properly addressed could create avoidable crises.

    The Bayelsa helmsman restated his commitment and that of his colleagues in the Southern Governors Forum to continuous dialogue to resolve issues that border on the challenges faced by oil producing communities and states.

    Responding to a question on open grazing, Diri described cattle rearing as a private business that the states have power to regulate, stressing that there was no going back on the ban of open grazing in Bayelsa, which he said was no longer sustainable.

    He stated that the ban was in force in the state since he assented to the bill on March 11, 2021.

    On the issue of the governors’ resolve that the president of the country should emerge from the South in 2023, he said although it was a political decision that required consultations and lobby, a president of Southern extraction in the next election would encourage peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

    His words: “Governors did not wait until now to speak on the PIB. Speaking on behalf of my state, we had a position and it was made very clear during the public hearings.

    “It is unthinkable and total injustice to allot three per cent to oil producing communities. We stated our position of 10 per cent.

    “The definition of host communities or oil producing communities is also worrisome. Oil producing communities should not be where pipelines are laid. If the issue of what an oil producing community is is not addressed, it is a time bomb that could explode.

    “The issue of cattle grazing is a commercial, private activity. I do not see why we needed anybody’s opinion to regulate a private activity. We have a duty to protect our people. That is why we have state assemblies. In Bayelsa it already came into effect since March 11, 2021. Open grazing is no longer sustainable. We need to stop it.

    “On the issue of Southern presidency, the governors would have to engage in lobby. But it is only natural justice for the south to produce the president after President Buhari’s eight years. It is not constitutional but a gentleman’s agreement to encourage cohesion and peaceful coexistence.”

    Speaking on the performance of his administration, Diri said although COVID-19 slowed things down globally, his administration has made appreciable progress in road and infrastructure development, urban renewal of the state capital, Yenagoa, as well as in ensuring peace, unity and reconciliation within the last 16 months of being in office.

    He assured that his administration was committed to development of every sector of the state’s economy and called for support from Bayelsans.

  • Gov Diri demands Shell headquarters should be in Bayelsa

    Gov Diri demands Shell headquarters should be in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has re-echoed his call on Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to relocate its operational headquarters to the State.

    Governor Diri stressed that given the historical significance of the State to Shell, there was no better location to site its headquarters.

    He restated this when the Shell Country Chair and SPDC Managing Director, Mr. Osagie Okunbor led a management delegation on a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the Bayelsa helmsman as saying that the presence of Shell in Bayelsa was essential for the economic benefits of both parties.

    The governor emphasised that the long-standing relationship between the state and Shell, following the discovery of oil in commercial quantity at Otuabagi community in Ogbia LocalGovernment Area, was proof that they were both inseparable in oil and gas business.

    While assuring the company of a conducive working environment, Diri asserted that the stereotype of insecurity in the Niger Delta as a ploy to deprive the goose that lays the golden egg was no longer tenable.

    He said: “On behalf of this Prosperity Administration and the people of Bayelsa State, I have been directed to invite you to relocate your headquarters back to your state, the peaceful state of Bayelsa.

    “You are aware that I’m an apostle of the relocation of your headquarters. You would agree with me that Bayelsa is peaceful and stable.

    “I know it might not be very easy to relocate everything but let us feel a fundamental presence of Shell. In fact, there is no reason why the Shell headquarters should be in any place other than Bayelsa.

    “The history and story of Bayelsa cannot be complete without Shell. We have an intertwined and long-lasting relationship between the state of Bayelsa (then in the old Rivers State) and Shell.

    “As a people, I want to put on record that we have not been fairly treated as those who provide the resources for this country.”

    Speaking on the legal dispute over outstanding revenues owed the state by the company, Senator Diri said an amicable resolution was possible in the spirit of the renewed relationship between both parties.

    The governor also spoke about his administration’s decision to supervise the signing and be a part of Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between host communities and companies operating in the state.

    He said this was occasioned by cases of breaches of such agreements, which result in conflicts.

    The policy, according to the governor, would be supervised by the Ministry of Justice in order to protect the interest of such communities and, by extension, the companies.

    “We made that policy statement to say that all GMoUs to be signed between the communities and any company, including the oil companies, has to be supervised by the Ministry of Justice. This was because we want to at all times protect the interest of our communities and even the companies. Also, at all times, the state government would be aware of the issues.

    “We have seen situations where GMoU is signed but only very few people, who claim to be community leaders, are aware of it. And that becomes a veritable tools for community conflicts.”

    The governor reeled out key projects being undertaken by his administration and solicited the partnership of Shell on major infrastructure projects like the proposed Nembe-Brass road as well as the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma and Sagbama-Ekeremorroad projects.

    He thanked the company for its support on the Ogbia-Nembe road.

    Speaking earlier, the Shell Country Chair and SPDC Managing Director, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, noted the key steps taken by Senator Diri to promote peace in the state and commended the governor’s leadership quality.

    Describing Bayelsa as the company’s most important host state, Okunbor said they were impressed with the governor’s handling of affairs of the state and his support for their operations.

    He said that Bayelsa was host to some of the company’s most strategic assets that keeps it going.

    The Country Chair promised to sustain the relationship between the company and the state through investment in key development projects in the state.

  • Bayelsa bans open grazing, to arrest armed herders

    Bayelsa bans open grazing, to arrest armed herders

    Bayelsa Government has enacted a law prohibiting open grazing of livestock in the state.

    Gov. Douye Diri assented to the Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law 2021 on Wednesday at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Yenagoa.

    He said the essence of the law was to ensure harmonious living between cattle dealers and other inhabitants of the state and to forestall violent clashes being experienced in other parts of the country.

    His words: “Bayelsa welcomes all and sundry to eke out a living legitimately. The people of Bayelsa want to have a mutual and harmonious relationship with non-natives and natives.

    “The essence of the law is to avert and forestall any clash between herdsmen, farmers, natives and non-natives as experienced in some states,” he said.

    The law, according to the governor, stipulates that any herdsman found with arms, whether licensed or not, should be arrested.

    He said that the law established a livestock management committee to regulate livestock activities in the state.
    Members of the committee include the Commissioner for Agriculture, security agencies and youths.

    “From the commencement of the law, no person shall breed, rear or trade in livestock in the state in any other place as may be designated by the committee and approved by the state government.

    “The law prohibits movement of cattle on foot from other parts of the country into the state, inspection of livestock and certification by veterinary doctors at entry point into the state among others,” he said.

    Diri said that by assenting to the law, any person found engaging in open grazing of livestock on foot commits an offence and would be arrested and prosecuted with the livestock impounded.

    The governor also signed into law the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2021.

    He explained that the law was to prevent certain harmful practices against women and children.

    He said with its enactment, Bayelsa has domesticated the Federal law, which had been in existence.

    In his remarks, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, while presenting the bills for the governor’s assent, said the livestock regulation bill was to prevent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    Also giving an insight into the VAPP Bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Tare Porri, the Speaker said the aim was to eliminate violence against women and to also ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

  • Gov Diri reacts to N3bn loan diversion allegations

    Gov Diri reacts to N3bn loan diversion allegations

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Tuesday described the claim that the N3 billion Agricultural loan obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was diverted as false and cheap blackmail.

    Diri, who reacted to the allegations on Tuesday noted that the smear campaign was aimed at arm twisting his administration to get appointments into his administration.

    Dr John Idumange, a former General Manager of Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation, had alleged diversion of N3 billion agricultural loan obtained by the immediate past administration led by Chief Seriake Dickson.

    Idumange, who was an aide on Research and Documentation to Dickson, who was governor from 2012 to 2020, claimed that the present administration was diminishing the efforts of Dickson’s government.

    Idumange also afterwards claimed that he had reported the alleged fraud to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    However, Diri, who said he was not averse to constructive criticisms dismissed the allegations as a mere ploy by Idumange to attract attention for personal aggrandisement.

    “Let me start by saying that our administration welcomes criticism provided that they are constructive but this one on diversion of N3 billion is clearly a falsehood.

    “Let me state it clearly in the full glare of the press thal I shall not succumb to this cheap blackmail targeted to ‘knock my head’ against that of former Gov. Seriake Dickson. The plot has failed.

    “I want to warn Chief dumange that I cannot be intimidated by this blackmail into giving out appointments, the CBN has said that no funds were diverted and clearly the N3 billion is not in the treasury of Bayelsa government.

    “The CBN manages the funds being warhoused in Access Bank. So, we do not have access to the funds, and if CBN has said the funds are not missing, then the allegations are simply false,” Diri said.

    Meanwhile, former governor, Sen. Dickson, had in a statement on Friday, washed his hands off the allegations, and urged his supporters to close ranks and work for the success of Diri’s administration.

  • PIB: Gov Diri advocates 10 % for host communities

    PIB: Gov Diri advocates 10 % for host communities

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Tuesday proposed that 10 per cent be provided in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for the host communities.

    Diri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said this on Tuesday at a town hall meeting on the bill with members of the National Assembly and stakeholders in Yenagoa.

    The governor said that the 2.5 per cent revenue proposed for the host communities in the PIB was grossly inadequate and unacceptable to the people of the Niger Delta.

    He argued that if the National Assembly members saw firsthand, the level of environmental degradation and its attendant effects on the people, they would not hesitate to increase it from 10 per cent.

    Diri stressed that the PIB was critical in addressing issues such as unemployment, lack of transparency in the oil and gas sector, militarisation of oil production, skills acquisition and marginalisation of oil producing states.

    “I restate our earlier submission that the 2.5 per cent proposed for the oil producing communities is grossly inadequate and unacceptable to us as a people.

    “In our proposal to you, we asked for 10 per cent for the host communities.

    “When you visit some of the sites where oil is being explored; that bring multi-million dollars to this country, you will even agree with me that we should increase it further from 10 per cent,” he said.

    According to him, this PIB will cure the unemployment that the oil producing communities cry about.

    “This bill will create jobs, accelerate skills acquisition and remove the opacity that we are seeing today in the oil and gas industry. The whole industry is shrouded somehow in secrecy,” Diri said.

    Diri decried the undue delay in the passage and implementation of the bill for about 14 years.

    He urged members of the national assembly to ensure its passage to engender peace and development in the region and the country as a whole.

    “If this bill had been passed, billions of naira used in safeguarding oil facilities would have been deployed for development purposes,” he said.

    Diri expressed regrets that oil communities that bear the brunt of oil production were given no consideration while multinational oil companies were given more attention in the bill.

    The governor stressed that such a situation was not in the interest of the people.

    Speaking, Mr Victor Nwokolo, the Deputy Chairman, House Ad Hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill, said the PIB was from the executive arm, aimed at reforming the oil and gas industry.

    He promised that they would work hard to ensure the passage of the bill before the end of May.

    Giving a summary of the legal framework in the PIB, Nwokolo noted that it would foster sustainable prosperity in host communities.

    He said that it would also as ensure that oil companies operating in the region conducted a needs assessment of the communities to determine their development needs.

    In his presentation, the Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, represented by the Ibedaowei of Ekpetiama Clan, King Bubaraye Dakolo, recommended that the bill took into consideration, environmental pollution, particularly gas flaring, and ensure inclusion of rights of host communities.

    He also expressed displeasure with the provision of the bill making the people responsible for protecting oil facilities, saying that the provision had already criminalised them.

    Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Mr Ebilade Ekerefe said life expectancy of the Niger Delta people had significantly reduced as a result of the effects of gas flaring and yet the region contributed a great deal to the economic survival of the country.

    Director-General, Centre for Youth Development, Okubokakpo Ombu, Chief Ambrose Akierite representing Odioama community and Mrs Juliet Zifawei, Deputy Director-General, Centre for Women Development, solicited the inclusion of the empowerment of women and youths in the bill.

    Shortly after the meeting, members of the committee visited an oil spill site at Ikarama community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

  • Okowa congratulates Gov. Diri on 1st anniversary

    Okowa congratulates Gov. Diri on 1st anniversary

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Sunday congratulated his Bayelsa counterpart, Sen. Douye Diri, on the first anniversary of his administration.

    Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, thanked God for the success of the first year of the “prosperity” administration in Bayelsa.

    He said that Bayelsa had become more peaceful and united since Diri took over the mantle of governance a year ago.

    He urged the governor to remain on that lane of focused development and evolution of peace in the state.

    Okowa thanked the people of Bayelsa for supporting the Diri administration in giving a meaningful development in the state.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate my brother Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, on the first anniversary of his administration.

    “As a state, we are pleased with your giant strides since you assumed office a year ago.

    “We thank the people of Bayelsa for supporting your administration by giving peace a chance which had led to the successes recorded thus far by your administration.

    “As you continue to soldier on the onerous task of providing prosperity and development for your people, it is my wish and that of the people of Delta that you will continue to flourish in the court of the Lord.

    “May God continue to grant you divine wisdom and provide you with the needed resources to develop the nooks and crannies of Bayelsa,” Okowa said.

  • Gov Diri mourns former Amb. Bolere Ketebu

    Gov Diri mourns former Amb. Bolere Ketebu

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has mourned the passing away of Dr Bolere Ketebu, the former Nigerian ambassador to Ireland.

    The Bayelsa State Governor, in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the demise of the former ambassador came as a rude shock.

    “I am deeply saddened over the news of the sudden passing of Dr. Bolouere Elizabeth Ketebu. Your demise came as a rude shock, knowing your commitment to the betterment of our state and our country.

    “You were a thoroughbred medical professional, consummate politician, frontline activist and advocate for the rights of women; a cause to which you devoted your time, effort and resources as a former National President of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS).

    “Our State, Bayelsa, and indeed Nigeria will greatly miss your immeasurable service and commitment.

    “I extend my deepest condolences to the Ketebu family of Ubaka compound, Oborigbeigha quarters of Odi community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as well as the Graham-Douglas family of Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    “Death is an unscionable and painful reaper. But be consoled that Dr Ketebu lived a fulfilled life of service to the people and her country. May the Lord grant her family grace and the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable and painful loss,” the statement reads.

    Born on Feb. 25, 1954, Dr. Bolere Elizabeth Ketebu devoted her life to the championing of women’s rights.

    She rose through the ranks from local government officer of the NCWS to become its national president.

    She studied Medicine at the University of Lagos and became a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians.

    Dr Ketebu was elected into the House of Representatives (representing Yenagoa Federal Constituency, between 1992 and 1993).

    She conceived the micro credit scheme for women’s groups and associations, toured Nigeria for 62 days and administered the loan, but was later wrongly accused of fraud and consequently remanded in police custody.

    She spent a night in Suleja prison, where she experienced first-hand the plight of imprisoned women, and was inspired to equip the prison with modern, female friendly facilities.

  • Bayelsa Govt. honours Barr. Ebizi Eradiri, double first class law graduate

    Bayelsa Govt. honours Barr. Ebizi Eradiri, double first class law graduate

    Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, announced automatic scholarship to Barr. Ebizi Blessing Eradiri for her Master and Doctorate degrees in any university in Nigeria or abroad.

    Miss Eradiri is the first female First Class graduate from the Faculty of Law of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), a feat she repeated at the Nigerian Law School.

    Senator Diri, while formally receiving her and her father, Mr. Boloupaye Eradiri, at the Government House, Yenagoa, also offered her automatic employment to lecture at the NDU Facility of Law.

    The governor in a press release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, assured her of the state government’s support in advancing her educational career in any university of her choice anywhere in the world.

    His words: “I hereby announce automatic scholarship for Barr. Eradiri’s Master and Doctorate degrees, which will not be restricted to Nigerian universities but any university in any part of the world she gains admission.

    “As a Visitor to the NDU, I also direct that she be given automatic employment to lecture at the Facility of Law. You have the support of your family and your government to fly higher because what you have achieved is just the beginning.”

    Senator Diri, who also announced Eradiri as the New Face of the Bayelsa Girl Child, said the gesture was aimed at making her a role model for young girls in the state and the entire Ijaw nation to emulate.

    He equally dismissed speculations, particularly in the social media, about his government’s choice of honouring Miss Nengi Hampson of the last edition of Big Brother Naija fame while refusing to recognise Eradiri as blatant lies.

    “Today has brought to an end speculations, especially in the new media, about our refusal to honour Barr. Eradiri while we have honoured Nengi of the Big Brother Naija fame. This is a blatant lie.

    “It is unfortunate that everything has to be politicised. For us, education is our number one priority.”

    Diri, who expressed concern about politicisation of issues in the state, however assured that his administration’s investments in educational sector would remain a priority.

    Describing Eradiri as an exceedingly brilliant and rising star, the governor congratulated her for making history in bagging first class honours not only at the NDU but also at the Nigerian Law School.

    He also sought the Federal Government assistance towards the young lawyer’s development beyond what the state government was offering to enable her add value not only to her state but the entire country.

    In his remarks, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Clan, King Bubaraye Dakolo, said they were proud of the breakthroughs achieved by their daughter from primary to the tertiary level and that she deserved to be encouraged.

    King Dakolo, who described Eradiri as exceptionally good, said she had won over 50 laurels spanning her primary and tertiary education.

    “Today we are presenting to you Barr. Eradiri. She collected every single prize that there was from her primary, secondary and university days. She had a huge number of prizes,” he said.

    The monarch, who stressed that Eradiri deserves support both from the state and federal governments, however announced the passage of her mother, Mrs Rose Eradiri, last week Tuesday.

    In her brief remarks, Miss Eradiri expressed gratitude to the governor for the honour done her, attributing her success to God and her exposure to good educational infrastructure.

    A minute silence was observed in honour of late Mrs Eradiri.