RIVERS CRISIS: Attempt To Replicate Model In Bayelsa Will Be Resisted, Gov. Diri Warns
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by Our Correspondent Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has raised the alarm that some individuals have perfected plans to breach the peace of the state.
Senator Diri spoke on Thursday at the state’s Elders Council meeting in Yenagoa.
The Governor, who warned that he would not condone any act capable of disrupting the peace of the state, urged security agencies , youths, elders and traditional rulers to be on the alert for any action that would destabilize the peace .
Diri said a suspended member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister George Turner, is being used to create factions in the party, adding that any attempt to import the Rivers State political crisis into Bayelsa would be resisted.
He urged parents and traditional rulers to discourage their wards and children from being used by unscrupulous elements to cause trouble in the state.
Diri , who insisted that the peaceful disposition of the Ijaws should not be misconstrued for cowardice , said the state would not allow a planned reception for the Federal Capital Territory Minister by a faceless group as it was capable of breaching the peace .
His words; “As you are aware, we have threats from our sister state. The political crisis there is threatening us and we will not allow what is happening in their state to come into Bayelsa State .
“It means that all of us must be vigilant . Elders, our chiefs and everybody must be vigilant . If your son or daughter is misbehaving, please call him to order.
“We have in our party a renegade who has decided to form a parallel PDP in Bayelsa State working with an ex-governor.
“The party in our state has suspended him for going to take over the office of one of our sons , so the party has suspended him and for now he is not a member of our party in Bayelsa State.
“I have directed the security to be on alert, I have directed every youth to be on alert . This is not Rivers State, this is Bayelsa State , the cradle of every Ijaw man . I have always said, do not think that being peaceful is cowardice . We are very courageous, we can stand up for the truth at all times “
The Bayelsa helmsman enjoined Bayelsa to continue to maintain the prevailing peace to sustain the current development in the state.
He assured the elders of judicious use of the state’s resources for the interest of the state.
Responding to the elders on the electricity situation in the state, Diri explained that the current blackout resulted from vandalized towers in Rivers State and assured that he would work with relevant bodies to restore power.
He added that with the expected procurement of a gas turbine, the state would soon experience steady power supply.
He revealed that the state is set to employ about 1000 Bayelsans into the civil service.
“Again, we are going to employ another 1000 Bayelsans. That process is already on . From information I have got from the civil service commission, the applications they have received is 36,000. It is like what we are doing is like a drop of water in the ocean , but it is a good way to start.”
He explained that the teachers recruitment exercise was cancelled because of some irregularities and has set up a new committee, headed by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Irorodamie Komonibo to oversee a new exercise.
He commended the Chairman of the Elders Council, former Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, for ensuring the body works with the government to proffer solutions to issues in the state.
Earlier, Chairman of the Elders Council commended Diri for the infrastructural development of the state.
Present at the event were, Former Military Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, king Diette Spiff , Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, and other prominent elders of the state.
