Tony Olutomiwa/Yenagoa
Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, had said that he would come up with creative means to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state if elected governor on November 16.
He also promised to realise some big ticket project’s to boost the state economy.
Diri made these promises at the debate forum organised by Push Africa Foundation for governorship candidates ahead of the election in Yenagoa, the state capital on Thursday.
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Three other governorship candidates including Barrister Ebizimo Diriyai of Accord, Blessing Azibanagbal, Mega Party of Nigeria and Zidougha Eneyi of Green Party of Nigeria .participated at the debate.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon, was conspicuously absent. No reason was given for his absence.
In answer to the challenge of low IGR in the state and implication for development, Diri noted that the state currently generates N1.6b monthly as IGR from the N500m inherited by the incumbent government which, he said, was far inadequate to cater for the wage bill which stands at N 4b without Federal allocation.
In this regard, he said his administration would explore extensive utilisation of the huge gas resources in the state not only to create wealth but also to ensure constant electricity, and develop ICT for the benefit of the youths.
He affirmed his commitment to such big projects like the Agge Seaport, the NLNG in Brass, the Cargo airport at Amassoma
and the Bayelsa Farms which, he said, would be realised as governor to boost the economy of the state.
He further said he would pursue the realisation of the Federal Government’s policy that oil companies operating in Bayelsa State should relocate to the state and they can then be made to pay taxes.
Speaking on the issue of women and youth empowerment, the PDP candidate said the way to go was to provide skills acquisition and facilitate micro credits for them to engage in economic activities via the state-owned micro finance bank.
He appealed to the people of the state to vote for him on November 16, saying he would consolidate on the achievements of the Dickson administration and bring prosperity to the footsteps of all Bayelsans.
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He stated:”If I come in as governor,
mine is to consolidate for prosperity. We need a prosperous Bayelsa
State. Already there is a foundation that has been laid by the current
government. And that foundation will enable us to look at the economy
because we need to involve our youths into businesses.
“And the very
simple way to involve them after the orientation and reorientation
programme is to give them soft interest free loans and train them in
skills acquisition. We will also involve our women into the same soft
interest free loan through the Bayelsa micro finance bank already
existing in all the eight local government areas.
“We would ensure
that our women go into trading, fishing and farming. This time around,
it won’t be subsistence but commercial purposes”.
Other candidates also spoke on their vision and aspirations for the state but with varying perspectives on ways and means.
