Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State said the state has passed the World Bank assessment for a potable water supply project, covering Yenagoa and neighbouring communities.
He disclosed this on Wednesday during the 196th meeting of the State Executive Council held at the Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor described the development as “good news” for the people of Bayelsa, saying the World Bank would work with state officials to map areas for water infrastructure deployment.
He said the mapping exercise would cover Yenagoa and some neighbouring communities, while residents would also be sensitised on the proposed water supply project.
The governor said his administration’s efforts to provide stable electricity and potable water, alongside roads, schools and health facilities, would support societal growth.
“We have been on this water thing with the World Bank, and Bayelsa is one of the states that has passed the hurdle of the bank.
“So the World Bank will alongside our state government officials go round the whole of Yenagoa and some neighboring places. They will deploy geo-mapping and also sensitise the people on this water supply project to Bayelsa people, ” he said.
Diri said providing basic infrastructure would lay a solid foundation for attracting private sector investment and accelerating economic development in the state.
He emphasised that government could not single-handedly drive industrialisation, advocating public-private partnerships to unlock Bayelsa’s economic potentials.
The governor urged the people of Bayelsa to identify and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Diri noted that investors from outside the state might recognise such prospects before residents.
“Investments do not hang in the air. We have seen how some past governors made certain investments but those investments are now a shadow of themselves. I believe every economy is mostly private sector driven. Sometimes we may not even see the opportunities as Bayelsa people. It is outsiders that see them before our people. So let us open our eyes to the opportunities for economic growth,” he said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the governor, at the meeting, received an Award of Excellence for Disability Inclusion from the Commissioner for Women, Child Empowerment and Social Development, Mrs Joanna Gigi.
She said the award was presented on behalf of Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) to recognise Diri’s commitment to promoting disability inclusion in the state.
She particularly cited the governor’s assent to the Persons Living with Disabilities Law 2026, describing it as a significant milestone in advancing the rights and welfare of PLWDs.
According to her, the PLWDs also recognise the administration’s efforts under its Assured Prosperity Agenda, including the appointment of 40 persons with disabilities into government positions.
She added that more than 20 physically challenged persons had also been employed into the state civil service.
(NAN)
