Dennis

Bayelsa State Government has assured that the erosion control project in Obogoro community in Yenagoa Local Government Area has not been abandoned. The government said some reports about the state of work on the project were incorrect and grossly inaccurate. Governor Douye Diri, who gave the clarification in a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said, on the contrary, the project was on course and that the government was committed to finding a lasting solution to the erosion menace. While empathisng with the community over the negative effects of the coastal erosion, including the loss of lives, land, property and sources of livelihood, Governor Diri urged the community to keep faith with the government to rescue the situation. He said he had visited the community and had also been briefed about the outcry of the community over the issue. He advised those trying to use the project to fan the embers of discord to desist. The governor said Obogoro was not the only

Bayelsa State Government has clarified that henceforth only qualified directors in the mainstream of its civil service will be appointed as permanent secretaries. This is just as the government restated  its commitment to prioritizing education, saying the sector remains instrumental to human capacity development in the state. The state deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo stated this on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Amananaowei, Chief Ojo Magbisa and the National Executive Council of Sagbama Federated Community in Government House, Yenagoa. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, the Deputy Governor stressed that government would not appoint civil servants working in parastatals, agencies and extra-ministerial departments. The new policy, according to Senator Ewhrudjakpo, is to promote professionalism, efficiency and productivity in the state civil service. The Deputy Governor, who appreciated the people of Sagbama Local Government Area for their co

The  Bayelsa State Security and Anti-Touting Taskforce on Revenue, has again  warned  illegal revenue collectors to steer clear off the State, especially along the east west road, saying their activities are detrimental to the State government. The  warning  is coming on the heels of the upsurge of illegal revenue collectors and harassment of motorists commuters especially on the east west road,  thereby adversely affecting the  I nternally  G enerated  R evenue of the State. Recalled that on Tuesday, illegal tax collectors had attacked a trailer fully loaded with bags of rice for refusing to give them 40,000 which resulted to the falling down of the truck along the highway. Speaking with journalists shortly after its monitoring exercise, Chairman of the Taskforce, Mr Reuben Lugard, condemned the act, advised the youths to engage in legitimate business in order to eke-out a leaving instead of activities that could put  their future in jeopardy. Mr Lugard, lamented that revenues meant f

Bayelsa State House of Assembly members elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) have expressed appreciation to Governor Douye Diri for the role he played in their victory during the legislative election in the state. Speaking on behalf of 17 members-elect when they paid the governor a thank-you visit in Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday, the Speaker, Abraham Ingobere, assured of the readiness of the PDP legislators to continually support his administration to deliver good governance to people of the state. Ingobere remarked that beyond supporting the programmes and policies of the Prosperity Administration, the members-elect said they will also work for his re-election to enable him continue his good works. The Speaker equally appreciated the governor and the  security agencies for ensuring that the elections were peaceful. Responding, Governor Douye Diri expressed delight over the victory of the PDP, which produced the majority of the elected legislators in

Bayelsa State Governor,  Senator Douye Diri, Thursday received new members of the State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The newly elected members including returning members led by the Speaker of the State Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, met the governor after the 17 of them received their Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Hon. Ingobere had on behalf of the PDP elected members thanked the Governor for standing firmly with them and assured him of the support of the members to enable the current administration succeed. Governor Diri, congratulated all the elected PDP members and that he is waiting for a great work experience with them.

Bayelsa State Government has urged service commanders in the state to immediately mobilize and deploy their operatives in Zarama and Okordia communities to forestall the escalation of security concerns following recent attacks by herdsmen in the area. Speaking at a meeting with some stakeholders of Okordia, Zarama and Biseni Clans as well as Security Service Commanders at his office in Yenagoa, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, assured that government was doing everything to restore normalcy in the affected communities. The Deputy Governor, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, on Tuesday, reminded the public, particularly herders of the existence of the state anti-open grazing law that must be obeyed by all and sundry. He said while the present administration would continue to provide the enabling environment for indigenes and non-indigenes to carry out their legitimate businesses, it would not condone any act capable of jeopardizing peace and sec

Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday restated the readiness of his administration to collaborate with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to improve security in the state.  Speaking in Government House when he received the Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air force, Yenagoa, Air Vice Marshall Ebimobo Ebiowei, Governor Diri said security was top on the agenda of his administration and would be glad to work with the Air Force to make the state more secure. The governor lauded the force for its contributions to the peace of the state and urged the officers and men not to relent.  He acknowledged that crime cannot be totally eradicated in any society but that working with the Air Force and other security agencies has helped to reduce crime and criminality in Bayelsa. He recalled the support of the NAF during the 2022 floods, saying the government was appreciative of its effort to ameliorate the suffering of the people even though they were also affected. T

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described the late Pere (King) of Tarakiri Clan, Richardford Orukari Bai Koroye, as a father figure who served his people with dedication. Senator Diri stated this when he met with a high-powered delegation of the Tarakiri Council of Chiefs led by the  Regent of the clan, Chief Fidelis Agbiki, in Government House, Yenagoa, on Monday. The governor said the late monarch worked hard contributing to the unity, peace and stability of his clan, the state and country as a whole. According to him, being a son of Tarakiri, the late king crowned him as a high chief of the kingdom and expressed his support towards giving the royal father a befitting funeral. While acknowledging the importance of tradition in society, Diri stressed that it unites and highlights the history of a people. Earlier in his remarks, the Regent of Tarakiri Clan, Chief Fidelis Agbiki, said the purpose of the meeting was to formally inform the governor of the late monarch’s bu

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on Sunday declared open the maiden edition of the State Sports Festival tagged "Access Bank Prosperity Unity Games". Declaring the showpiece open Governor Diri, urged athletes to follow the symbol of unity that the State Sports Festival represents by abiding by the rules that governs the fiesta, stating that the festival is another landmark achievement of his administration in the area of sports development. The Governor explained that the National Sports Festival was one of the measures introduced in the aftermath of the civil war to renew the fabric of the nation's social cohesion and to promote the common destiny as a people, stressing that the architects of the Festival recognized the unifying power of sports in Bayelsa. While appreciating the sponsors Access Bank, the governor asserted that the only way to Prosperity was to have a sound health, and that the best medicine for prosperity is through sports development. The Stat

  Report reaching Bayelsa DailyOnline desk has it that the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has suspended its  National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.  The suspension of Dr. Ayu was effected by the Ward Executive of the party in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state. Addressing the media Sunday, on behalf of Kashi Philip, the Ward Chairman, the Ward Secretary Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum explained that Dr. Ayu was suspended by the Executive for alleged anti party activities. Reading from a text signed by 12 out of the 17 member Ward Executive, the Secretary stated that the decision to suspend the National Chairman was reached after the leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the just concluded general elections. Flanked by the Chairman and other members, the Secretary said, “we observed with utmost dismay that, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu who is the National Chairman of the PDP worked against the success of the party in Igyorov Council Ward. “It is on record that, he has also

Report has it that the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State; former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, and two others for anti-party activities. The party also referred the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, to its Disciplinary Committee over his reported anti-party activities. This was disclosed by the national publicity secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Thursday. He said, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after very extensive review of the affairs of our Party in the country and pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) referred the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities. “The NWC also approved the suspension of the following from the Party with effe

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has admonished people of the state to always promote unity and brotherliness for the sustenance of peace and development. Senator Diri gave the admonition on Thursday at the funeral service of Elder Omieworio Afeni, an uncle of former President Goodluck Jonathan, at the St. Stephen Anglican Church, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state. Governor Diri said the state’s development should not be hinged on politics alone but ought to also entail how the people collectively tackled issues of common interests. He said he was particularly pleased with the large number of Bayelsans that turned out in solidarity with Dr Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience and the Afeni family. Diri described the former president as a father and service-oriented leader, who has made indelible mark in the political history of not only Nigeria but also in Africa and beyond. While condoling with the bereaved Afeni family, he noted that the passage of any indivi

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration contributed to the growth of democracy in Nigeria during the recent general election. Senator Diri stated this on Wednesday during the state’s executive council  meeting in Government House, Yenagoa. The governor, while reviewing the performance of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the different elections, said neither the government nor the PDP interfered  with the activities of opposition parties. Rather, he said, the PDP candidates went to the people and spoke to them about his administration’s policies and projects that are impacting their lives. He challenged anyone analysing the results of the elections in the state to do so with facts and figures and not to speculate. "We are one state that has feathered the nest of democracy in Nigeria. Anybody who does any analysis should do proper investigation with facts and figures and not to produce write-ups that do not have any meaning to us in Bayelsa.  “We

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Saturday, gave kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the House of Assembly election in the state. Governor Diri said it was an improvement on the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections, which drew so much condemnation. He described the process of Saturday’s election as peaceful, seamless and fast. Senator DIri spoke after casting his vote alongside his wife, Dr. Gloria, at 9.07am at ward 6 unit 4 Kalama-owei wari in Sampou community, Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of the state. While commending INEC for the early arrival of officials and materials at the polling units, the governor said reports indicated that it was generally the same story across the state. His words: “The voting process was quite seamless and very fast. So I believe that INEC has improved upon the previous election from what I just witnessed from my own polling unit in ward 6 unit 4 here in Sampou. Kudo

Ahead of Saturday’s House of Assembly election in the state, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area to vote massively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates. Governor Diri made the call on Thursday when he embarked on town hall meetings in  various communities in the local government area to galvanise support for his party’s candidates.  He thanked the people for voting massively for the PDP’s candidates in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Senator Diri noted that Bayelsa is a stronghold of the PDP as attested to by the results of the February 25 election that the candidates of the party clinched seven of the eight National Assembly seats with one still pending.  He implored the people to re-enact the feat in the 24 constituencies in the state, including the two in KOLGA on Saturday. At Okoloba/Sabagriea and Opokuma communities, while lending his support to the candidate of the pa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has admonished politicians against do-or-die politics ahead of the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday. The former Nigerian President gave the admonition yesterday at Sampou community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State shortly after paying a condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri over the demise of his father, Pa Abraham Diri. Dr. Jonathan stressed that politics should be about service and not about self, urging politicians to wait for God's time to get into leadership positions. He said in a democracy, the people play a critical role and wondered why those who aspire to lead want to force themselves on the people. He also advised people of the state to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during the House of Assembly elections. Speaking on the late Pa Diri, Jonathan said the death of a parent was painful but urged the family of the departed to take solace in the worthy legacies he left. The former

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday, inaugurated two  committees to synergise with the National Population Commission (NPC) on the forthcoming national population census exercise.  They are the Publicity/Mobilisation Committee, which has the Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, as chairman and the Logistics/Security Committee with the Chief Security Co-ordinator of the State Community Safety Corps, Brig-Gen. Eric Angaye (rtd) as chairman.  Governor Diri, who inaugurated the committees in Government House, Yenagoa, described population census as a critical ingredient for development hence the need for the government to plan towards a hitch-free exercise in the state. The governor said while a new date is expected from the NPC for the conduct of the exercise, the government would leave no stone unturned to get the exact population of the state. His words: “It is important that we know exactly who we are and how many we are. In modern times, accura

Over one thousand athletes will jostle for glory in the maiden edition of the Bayelsa State Sports Festival tagged Access Bank prosperity games from 25th of March to 1st April, 2023. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali gave the hint at a press conference held in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital. Dr Igali said hosting the fiesta became necessary due to the exploits and the global attention Bayelsa has received in the last three years, saying that positive publicity sports has rendered to Bayelsa State government was as a result of the governor's foresight in sports development. He explained that one thousand one hundred and forty four athletes comprising 592 females, 552 males would participate in the one week event in fourteen different sports at various local government areas of the state. The commissioner noted that athletes would arrive on the 25th of March with the opening ceremony coming up the next day while the showpiece will officially kick off o

  The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes remain legal tender until December 31, 2023. CBN spokesperson, Isa Abdulmumin, announced the development in a statement on Monday evening. “In compliance with the established tradition of obedience to court orders and sustenance of the Rule of Law Principle that characterized the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, and by extension, the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as a regulator, Deposit Money Banks operating in Nigeria have been directed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling of March 3, 2023,” the statement reads. “Accordingly, the CBN met with the Bankers’ Committee and has directed that the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes till December 31, 2023. “Consequently, all concerned are directed to conform accordingly.” Recall that two weeks ago, the Supreme Court invalidated the naira redesign policy introduced by th

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to obey the Supreme Court ruling on the old Naira notes in order to ameliorate the suffering occasioned by the cash crunch on Nigerians. The Bayelsa governor said going by the March 3 ruling of the country’s apex court, the old and new currency notes ought to circulate side by side till December 31 this year. Senator Diri stated this on Monday in Government House, Yenagoa, during an interactive meeting with leadership of various unions and associations of transporters, traders and petroleum marketers in the state. The governor said with the ruling of the apex court on the matter, Nigerians expected the federal government and the CBN to speedily implement and enforce the judgement. Unfortunately, he noted that the lack of direction by the federal government and the apex bank had hampered the implementation of the Naira redesign policy and the ruling of the highest court of

  Report reaching Bayelsa Daily Online desk has it that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the March 11 Governorship and State Assembly elections by one week. The announcement was made late Wednesday night in a press release set to be issued by the Commission shortly. Bayelsa Daily Online reports that the electoral commission had earlier on Wednesday convinced the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to vary its order granting the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, permission to inspect the election materials used for the just-concluded February 25 presidential election on the premise that it had to reconfigure the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the conduction of the governorship and State Assembly elections on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Credinle sources in the Commission told Bayelsa Daily Online that given time constraints, the reconfigura