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| Diekivie Ikiogha |
When on October 1, 1999, Bayelsa state was carved out from Rivers State to become an independent, viable and progressive state, it was greeted with shouts of joy and fists raised signifying freedom from political and economic captivity. The creation of our state signaled the beginning of a new dawn for the people as it gave us a new ray of hope that someday, we will begin to reap the fruits of our God-given resources which were yet to become beneficial to our people.
In spite of our numerous resources, nineteen years after its creation, Bayelsa state is still crawling like a toddler at a time some other states with fewer resources are already tapping into their meager resources. Our state, though richly blessed remains backward with the near non-existent of basic infrastructure to make life better for its citizenry. The endemic youth restiveness and associated criminal activities like armed robbery and kidnapping for ransom, poor road network, lack of standard educational institutions, incurable unemployment, and absence of good medical facilities point to the fact that there is no basic Master Plan for a proper development of the state.
Nineteen years down the lane, Bayelsa state is still leaning on the clutches of those whose personal ambition supersedes that of our founding fathers who fought with their blood to ensure our liberation. There is no end in sight of glaring poverty, misery and militancy even with the huge federal allocation over the years as well as internally generated revenue. Our very survival and patrimony is being threatened by the emergence of a new cabal which intends to remain in office and share our money.
Sadly, it is regrettable that while our people wallow in abject poverty, those with the mandate to change our fortunes are busy amassing wealth for their generations yet unborn. They have resorted to deceptive tendencies through paid media brandishing the plan to complete all the abandoned projects.
But it is not late to rewrite our history and start on a new slate. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of political and economic dungeon to the light of freedom and prosperity. It is a time to break the shackles of self-inflicted poverty and underdevelopment handed down to us by those without a vision for our state. Let us do away with the politics of godfatherism which has resulted to the looting of our treasury. It is time to put an end to political brigandage and arrogance in power without the fear of God.
We need Change in Bayelsa in order to put our state on the same pedestal with other states of the richly endowed Niger Delta region. We need true leadership exemplified in the character and content of a transparent, credible and God fearing man in the person of CHIEF DIEKIVIE BOVIE IKIOGHA. He is a tested prominent son of Bayelsa who has spent his life all through with the people. CHIEF DIEKIVIE BOVIE IKIOGHA is a traditional, grass root politician and administrator who rose from the ranks to the top. He did not jump the ladder; as such he knows and understands the desire and the pains of the masses.
THE MARCH FOR RECOVERY IS NOW AND THE MAN SET TO RECOVER OUR STATE IS CHIEF DIEKIVIE IKIOGHA.
Bayelsans must choose rightly this time.
Signed:
HON. JAMES DIRI
Publicity Secretary
Bayelsa Progressive Alliance (BPA)
