Some Secrets Behind The Giant Strides Of Gov. Douye Diri That Are Rare In Many Contemporary Leaders 

Today, the Epicurean philosophers do not have any place in contemporary history.

Pharaoh saved Egypt from famine when there was global economic meltdown because Joseph a foreigner helped to interpret his dream and also proffered an advise and solution which Pharaoh adhered to. The savings that they made in time of abundance helped the whole country during famine that destroyed other nations.

Many years ago, Bayelsa state was the centre of partying. It was endless enjoyment. Many actors, actresses and celebrities and others came into Bayelsa State regularly just to eat, drink, enjoy and pack away with so much monies from the state which they used to go and invest and develop other states, cities, towns and villages.

It was not the beauty of Yenagoa or the state that attracted them because there were no good roads like where they all came from. They only came to pack our Millions and Billions, while the state remained grossly underdeveloped.

Beyond the huge resources that were frittered away, the distractions were enormous. Leaders could not concentrate. They were busy welcoming invited guests and attending parties, events and enjoying so much at the expense and detriment of average Bayelsans  and the wealth never trickled down to the masses.

ADVENT OF THE ASSURED PROSPERITY ADMINISTRATION

Senator Douye Diri was specifically sent by Almighty God to rewrite the history of Bayelsa State and change a lot of ugly narratives out there about Bayelsa State and Bayelsans in general.

For instance, many years ago, Bayelsans were described as “bunches of lazy, unproductive, money miss road people”.

But since the inception of this administration, the story has changed.

Gov. Diri came with;

1. PRUDENCE

2. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

3. EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY

4. SERVICE DELIVERY IN CIVIL SERVICE

5. PRIORITIZATION OF IJAW INTEREST

6. INCLUSIVITY

7. PURPOSEFULNESS

8. ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CRIME AND CRIMINALITY

Let us take succinct look at the above.

INCLUSIVITY

Gov. Douye Diri runs an all inclusive government where all Bayelsans irrespective of political party affiliation, religion or section are given equal attention.

His cabinet can be likened to Joseph’s Coat of many colours. It is made up of members of different political parties including non-indigenes.

He believes that we were all born as Bayelsans before membership of any political party, thus, our political affiliations should never deprive us of any benefit.

Also, he does not believe in any primordial and parochial sentiments and sectional biases.

It is common knowledge that he sited bigger projects in other local government areas than his LGA. He looks at necessity and strategic importance of such projects than irrelevant sentiments.

Some good examples are the Nembe-Brass Road, Angiama-Otuan-Oporoma Road, etc.

PRUDENCE

It is a generally known fact that Gov. Douye Diri is frugal, he does not believe in extravagant lifestyle. He does not encourage wasteful spending.

Imagine the old official cars that he uses compared to other state governors. Look at the personal house in the village and his simple lifestyle generally.

Many mistake his prudence for stinginess.

He does not believe in extravagant spending and sharing state resources, rather he channels them to projects and other infrastructure that are beneficial to Bayelsans instead of sharing to few privileged individuals.

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Every money that accrue to the state are accounted for with verifiable projects. Today, even the worst critics of the government are commending, appreciating and celebrating his good works.

It is better to be prudent and then use such saved monies to execute legacy projects.

EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY

Gov. Diri has created a very conducive and enabling atmosphere for businesses to thrive. Today, businesses are sprouting out everywhere in Yenagoa and it’s environ.

We all know how at a time most shops were locked up due to insecurity and other factors.

But today, there is strong synergy between government and business owners.

Bayelsans are now into so many productive ventures. Some products that are produced by Bayelsans here in the state can be compared to others nationwide and even beyond.

For example, Ayalla Water, Fido Water, packaged Zobo Drinks particularly the one produced by Mrs. Patricia Tari Matthew from Amassoma, Snacks and many others are almost world standard.

The Chips and Zobo that Mrs. Patricia produces can be used to serve in State, Presidential and other corporate events. It will pass quality assurance test anywhere. The branding is too sophisticated. It is sold in major supermarkets in Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Abuja and other places. Unless you are told, you won’t know they were produced in Bayelsa.

The government is also building unimaginable manpower through the many legacy projects that it is executing.

In the near future, Bayelsa shall boast of multitudes of artisans and others.

SERVICE DELIVERY IN CIVIL SERVICE

If you go to government offices, you will marvel at the level of organization and productivity. You will commend and celebrate Civil Servants who are like the engine of the State that was hitherto described and designated as a Civil Service State.

Gov. Diri does not only treats them as Kings and Queens, he also prioritizes their welfare and well being which is one of the motivations that has resulted to the unimaginable efficiency and productivity in the system.

Presently, the Governor is building a 9-Storey State Secretariat that at completion shall be one of the best in the country.

PRIORITIZATION OF IJAW INTEREST

Gov. Douye Diri uses every opportunity to show that he is a very outstanding Ambassador of the Ijaw Nation. He always proves that he is a proud Ijaw man.

For Diri, Ijaw First before any other considerations. The above is one of the reasons he does not joke with the Peace, Security, Unity, Growth and Development of the Ijaw Nation.

Further proof is the award of some of the biggest contracts in his administration to Ijaw indigenous companies.

He believes in promoting and projecting Ijaw Nation to the world.

On the other hand, the Ijaw companies like Megastar, LCC and others that he has engaged are living up to expectation. They are proving to be far better than many companies that we celebrate out there.

PURPOSEFULNESS

Socrates once said that “The unexamined life is not worth living”. Every leadership must be purposeful and goal and result-oriented.

Gov. Douye Diri does not believe in Jamborees and unnecessary distractions.

The best horses that win in horse races always focus on finishing.

The governor has deliberately erased that mindset and negative impressions that people had about Bayelsans as “Mugus”, “Money Miss Road”, “Cash Cows”.

The Governor is glued to his agenda of reforming, transforming and repositioning Bayelsa State.

While the whole country is grappling with the issue and challenges of Electricity, the Governor who believes and plans for the future is building a 60-Megawatts Gas Turbine to ensure Power Sufficiency by the end of this year.

The above shall translate to economic boom, influx of people from neighbouring states and rapid improvement in social life and interactions.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CRIME AND CRIMINALITY

The body language of every leader is very key. It can influence peace or violence.

Senator Douye Diri by nature does not like problem. He is always at peace with all men.

Does not like or encourage any form of crime and criminality which is the reason we are not seeing criminals and territorial warlords parading themselves as Lords.

Today, his zero tolerance stance on crime and criminality has made Bayelsa State the safest state in the country. His community policing strategy is top notch. It is very effective. Other states come to understudy it.

Moving forward, I urge all Bayelsans to continue to build on the existing synergy between the government and the masses.

We must discourage attempts to demarket our great state by few individuals who do not see anything good about government because of their inordinate ambitions, selfishness and greed.

Finally, let us continue to pray and work to ensure that our great state does not go back to our dark age, the era of wasteful spending on frivolity. We must not allow anything that will remind Bayelsans about the era of crime and criminality where Bayelsans were killed and others made to sleep with one eye open because of fear of the unknown.

– Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli