Yenagoa— A group, Niger Delta for Good Governance (NDGG) has called out Chief Richard Kpodoh and Mr. Fred Ayabowei for their respective criticisms of the Diri-led Bayelsa state government.
Kpodoh, a former Special Adviser on Security, and Ayabowei, leader of the APC Integrity Group had in separate statements chided Governor Douye Diri over his performance in office and called on the governor to resign over the alleged thirty billion naira monthly allocation to the State.
But NDGG in a statement issued on Friday by its coordinator, Chief Ayibanua Owei insisted that Diri has done excellently well since assuming office in 2019.
The statement described the duo (Kpodoh and Ayabowei) as delusional who are “indulging in an irresponsible act of distracting the Diri-led prosperity government.”
Owei argued that the APC chieftains have constituted themselves as enemies of Bayelsa, adding that they have deliberately chosen to remain blind to the glaring successes recorded in the state under Diri.
Governor Douye Diri has performed well almost in all sectors of the state, particularly in sports and infrastructure and the ongoing three senatorial road projects are veritable proof, he maintained.
The group further stated that Diri’s administration has prioritized peace with all citizens, irrespective of political affiliations or allegiance.
The statement partly reads:
“While the group is not bothered by the tirades of the critics and their sponsors, the issues raised only confirmed the duo of Ayabowei and Kpodoh as enemies of Bayelsa State.
“This also showed that they lack a proper understanding of governance and government. They should open their eyes and see that no matter which administration starts or completes a project, it is to the glory of Bayelsa State.
“Gov. Diri’s administration has remained committed to infrastructural projects in the state despite the huge financial deductions arising from past debts and commitment to human and infrastructural development.
“The three senatorial roads are steadily ongoing and no contractor has raised complaints of nonpayment. All ongoing projects are moving on as scheduled.
“Kpodoh said construction work is slow. So, he wants the contractor to rush the completion of the Sagbama-Ekeremor road, Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road, Nembe-Brass road, Glory Drive, Igbogene-AIT/Elebele road, and others.
“Sadly, Kpodoh cannot comprehend some of the technical details involved in road construction, particularly in our difficult terrain.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Douye Diri has done well in the two years and eight months of the administration.
“The State has made modest and visible progress, which has set us on a firm path of growth and development with big-ticket as well as smaller projects that have impacted the lives of our good people in Southern Ijaw just as in Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama, Ekeremor, Nembe, Brass, Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas.
“So far, this administration has constructed nearly 150km of road infrastructure, including internal road projects across the three senatorial zones of the State.”
“Above all, the present administration has towed the path of peace with all, regardless of political persuasion or point of view. According to the administration, peace is, after all, the irreducible minimum for development and prosperity.”
