Gov. Diri indicts FG over Bayelsa’s weak IGR

By Abdulfatah On Feb 14, 2024

Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

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Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has alleged that the Federal Government was instrumental to the state’s weak Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

‌Governor spoke, on Tuesday, at the Douye Diri Peace Prize and Leadership Lecture/Book Presentation in Yenagoa noted that the multinational oil companies that the state would have generated its internally generated revenue have been take away.

‌According to him, most of the communities had gone into extinction as a result and more were still being threatened because of the activities of the multi-national companies.

‌”Our IGR was stolen by the Federal Government. Once again the Niger Delta must sit up. It is not yet Uhuru”, said Governor Diri.

He added that it was unfair for Bayelsa State to have eight local governments “when all the resources come from here. Is that the country we want to continue to run”.

Speaking on the last elections that gave him second tenure victory, Governor Diri hailed former President Goodluck Jonathan, elders and the people of the state who stood by him.

“All leaders did what was expected both at home and abroad. This victory was not only because the governor worked hard, but also because the people knew what they wanted.

“Peace and unity have eluded this state for some time; lives were being threatened because of those who failed to do the bidding of the other party. Now that we have come to enjoy some level of peace and unity, we will not want to lose it.

Also speaking on the theme of the lecture, Senator Sunday Katung, representing Kaduna South senatorial District , who is the guest speaker , noted that the people of the Niger Delta should reject being described as militants when they are fighting for what belongs to them.

Katung decried the ecological problems in Bayelsa State and called for more attention both from the Federal Government and the international communities.

Sunday Katung, said the people of the Niger Delta should reject being described as militants when they are fighting for what belongs to them.

He said: “To change this tide and put the Ijaw nation in its rightful place, there is need to take advantage that the global community offers in harnessing our human resources and addressing challenges.

“This can be achieved by the networks of the relevant stakeholders, organised private sector, civil society organisation, mass media and other stakeholders towards raising the banner of advocacy and social responsibilities.”

The Director-General of ‘Yes Diri’, who is also the host, Gentle Emelah, said there is no better time than now to start the noble process of projecting the Ijaw Nation for Global Representation, even as the country is passing through its most turbulent times in history.

Emelah, who is also the state commissioner for Education, said the essence was to truly and urgently challenge themselves to strengthen the building blocks that project the Ijaw nation for global representation.

According to him, the theme of the lecture was purposely and painstakingly crafted to awaken, galvanise and harmonise the expertise, passion, entrepreneurial orientation and professional capacities of the Ijaw.

Gov. Diri indicts FG over Bayelsa’s weak IGR

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