Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, a respected voice in the Niger Delta and aide to Gov Douye Diri, carpeted VeryDarkMan over his comment about Bayelsa State, describing him as someone who knows little about things but claims to know everything.
Speaking on Tuesday, Hon Ikuli said, “VDM, who has not traveled beyond Yenagoa the state capital, lacks the right to describe Bayelsa as the second most underdeveloped state in the country”.
“What is the yardstick that he used at arriving at his senseless hasty conclusion?
It is sad that our society now glorify and deify self-acclaimed advocates and mouthpiece of the masses.”
“VDM that made blunder in his bid to please his paymastes, would have sang a different song if he had visited the New Yenagoa City or driven through the Glory Drive or the Igbogene-Bayelsa Palm Road, during his very visit to Yenagoa.”
“Till this very moment, Rivers State is still suffering the pains and challenges of One-City state. Port Harcourt the state capital is overpopulated. Public infrastructure and social amenities are overstretched.”
“The story would have been different if the planners and successive administrations in the state had spread developments to cities like Yenagoa, Bonny, Bori, Ahoada, Degema, Abua, Okrika, Abonnema, Buguma, Ngo, Obigbo, Ogbia Town, Kaiama, Sagbama, Nembe, Brass and others in the Old Rivers State.”
“Unfortunately, all developments were concentrated in Port Harcourt, the Garden City. It is just recently that the governments of Wike and now that of Gov. Fubara are trying to change the ugly narrative about the One-City state status of Rivers state.”
“The quest to avoid the same mistakes made Chief DSP Alamieyseigha to build Amassoma. Today, look at the large population in Amassoma. Look at the number of houses and businesses in Amassoma. Millions of Naira enter Amassoma daily. The presence of Niger Delta University, NDU has helped to decongest Yenagoa.”
“The establishment and location of Federal University at Otuoke is helping to develop the Ogbia axis. Imagine the large population of people from all over the country that enter Otuoke daily because of the university. The commerce and economy of Otuoke and it’s environ are booming. Accommodation is one of the greatest problem in Otuoke. Because of the above, students, workers and business owners now rent houses at Imiringi, Elebele, Emeyal 1 & 2, Kolo 1, 2 & 3. The multiplier effects of FUO is massive.”
“Sagbama Town, Aleibiri and Toru-Orua are all enjoying great opportunities because of the presence of the University of Africa, Isaac Boro College of Education and Polytechnics respectively.”
“Today, we are seeing what our God-sent Miracle Governor, Very Distinguished Senator Douye Diri is doing at Sampou with the Campus of the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) and the state in general.”
“In the near future, Bayelsa will have many developed towns and cities like Delta State.
Ijaws are very selfless people. While national and regional leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ambrose Ali and others located universities and other key projects in their hometowns and areas, Ijaw leaders like Navy Commander Alfred Diette-Spiff now His Royal Majesty and Chief (Sen) Dr. Melford Obiene Okilo helped to build Port Harcourt the capital of Rivers State.”
“Our great people should stop giving credence to senseless and distractive talks. We should rather concentrate on our resolve to building the New Bayelsa State of our dream. We are optimistic that Gov. Douye Diri shall finish strong” Hon Ikuli concluded.