GOV. DICKSON DECRIES LACK OF FEDERAL ROADS IN BAYELSA

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has expressed displeasure over the dearth of Federal roads in the state.

Governor Dickson who spoke during a courtesy call on him by officials of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency at Government House, Yenagoa, described Bayelsa as a state with the fewest kilometres of roads in the country.

According to him, the State has less than 200 kilometres of Federal roads.

“That is not a statistic we should be proud of because I’m aware that there are states that have as much as 1000 kilometres, others have 2000 kilometres and above, and we are in one country.  And may I remind you that most of the resources with which these roads are built are derived from this land”.

Citing the difficult terrain of the state, the Governor noted that Bayelsa was in dire need of critical infrastructure.

According to Hon. Dickson, even the few available roads and bridges have all been washed away by the floods thereby making movement of people and goods within the state difficult.

He therefore called on the Federal Government to consider it as a matter of urgency to register its presence in the state through the construction of more roads.

While commending the agency for its efforts at maintaining roads across the country, Hon. Dickson expressed his administration’s intention to establish FERMA’s equivalent in the state.

According to the Governor, a bill to that effect would soon be sent to the house of assembly for legislation.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Engr. Gabriel Awuchi explained that the visit was part of the agency’s nationwide inspection tour of federal roads.

Mr. Awuchi expressed gratitude to the state government for providing the agency with land to build its observation camps at Adagbabiri, Opolo and Zarama.

Emphasizing the need for partnership, the Managing Director disclosed that FERMA has trained and engaged about 30 Bayelsa youths in areas such as de-silting of blocked drains as well as provision of road maps and signs.

Mr. Awuchi disclosed that efforts are underway to build its field headquarters in the state.

The Managing Director was accompanied on the visit by the Agency’s Executive Director of Administration and Human Resources, Engineer B.W. Degi Eremienyo as well as Director, Operations II (East), Mr. Patrick Ikpenwa among others.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson                          

 Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

06/11/2012