Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has outlined a new agenda for his second term, anchored on a comprehensive framework built around seven key pillars. This agenda was revealed during a three-day State Executive Council Retreat themed “Consolidating The Dividends of Shared Prosperity,” held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Delivering the keynote address, Governor Diri emphasized that the retreat aims to foster collaboration among government officials, drive innovation, and align policies with the administration’s goals, building on the achievements of his first term.
The governor introduced the acronym A.S.S.U.R.E.D, representing seven pillars of his administration’s strategy: Agricultural Revolution, Sports Development, Security, Urban Renewal, Robust Healthcare, Energy Generation, and Diversifying Education. These pillars are intended to drive economic growth, social development, infrastructure advancement, environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and good governance.
Key Highlights of the A.S.S.U.R.E.D Agenda:
1. Agriculture: Diri emphasized a focus on achieving food security and leveraging the state’s blue economy. The administration has collaborated with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and organized youth training programs at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State. Governor Diri also led a team to South Korea under the Korean International Cooperation Agency, resulting in the donation of modern agricultural equipment valued at $488,400.
2. Sports and Youth Development: The state aims to nurture young talent and provide opportunities through investment in sports infrastructure and programs.
3. Security: Efforts are underway to enhance security measures, maintaining Bayelsa’s status as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states and promoting industrialization.
4. Urban Renewal and Rural Development: Investments in infrastructure, housing, transportation, and water supply are ongoing to create modern, livable cities that support economic growth and improve citizens’ quality of life.
5. Healthcare: The administration is committed to improving access to quality healthcare through investments in modern infrastructure and an expanded health insurance scheme that now includes non-civil servants.
6. Energy Generation: The state is focused on generating sustainable economic growth through power generation, economic diversification, entrepreneurship, and empowerment programs. The government has domesticated the Electricity Act and is working on independent power generation to ensure a stable power supply.
7. Education: A renewed emphasis is being placed on technical and vocational education, with plans to build technical colleges in all local government areas, offering tuition-free education and free feeding for students.
Governor Diri’s new agenda aims to build on his administration’s achievements, driving comprehensive development across various sectors to consolidate the dividends of shared prosperity for the people of Bayelsa.
