5th Anniversary: Cross River Gov, Otu, Inaugurates Project In Bayelsa - Diri Flags Off Free Medical Outreaches

Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, on Monday, inaugurated the Road 24 High Profile Road, Okaka in Yenagoa, the state capital, as Governor Douye Diri began his fifth anniversary celebrations.

The Bayelsa governor also flagged off medical outreaches as part of the anniversary activities.

Senator Otu, who is vice chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, said considering the quality of the road, Senator Diri was making judicious use of the revenues from the federation allocation.

He described his Bayelsa counterpart as a bold and courageous leader that they hold in high esteem and that he was making inroads in several areas of development of the state.

He also applauded Diri for completing projects inherited from his predecessor, which he noted was the essence of continuity.

Otu expressed delight that with Diri on the saddle, Bayelsa will enjoy 24 hours power supply.

He urged the people to continue to support the government to enable it initiate more development projects.

On his part, Governor Diri said the Bayelsa landscape was wearing a new look as his administration would inaugurate projects across the length and breadth of the state.

Diri said: "The inauguration of road infrastructure and other projects mark the commemoration of our fifth year in office. The face of the capital city, Yenagoa, is changing for good.”

The governor commended the Obenibe-Epie, King Malla Sasime, and the people for their peaceful conduct, which he said had enabled the contractor to deliver the project.

His words: "The Epie people have been very supportive in all the development efforts we have been engaged in and that is the least we want from our traditional rulers and the people. That is why the state will continue to wear a new look at all times. The face of Yenagoa is changing and it will continue to change for good."

According to him, the road project was initiated by his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, and that his administration continued and completed it for the benefit of the people.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, said the project was initially awarded by the immediate past government in 2012 to L and D Construction Company of Nigeria.

According to him, the road was in a deplorable state when the Prosperity Government re-awarded to the same contractor.

He said the road, which is equipped with solar-powered lights, was a dual carriage way measuring aproximately 1,475 metres with a width of nine meters on either side and having a shoulder of two meters on both sides.

The Project Engineer, Chief  Ernest Amadi, described it  as the widest road in the capital city and appreciated Governor Diri for his visionary leadership.

Flagging of the statewide free medical outreach in Ikarama community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Governor Diri noted that the anniversary of his administration was usually preceded by medical outreaches because healthcare delivery was its priority and that without good health, its prosperity agenda would not be realised.

The governor said the facility was built in 1998 by Agip (now Oando) as part of its corporate social responsibility.

He said: "It is heartwarming that today we have gathered to mark the flag off of the fifth anniversary of your government of Assured Prosperity and we are doing so in a grand style with a medical outreach in Ikarama community.

"We cannot be talking about prosperity without taking care of our health. That is why we always started our anniversaries with a medical outreach

"Today, this hospital has  been put to use. I am aware that a medical doctor, nurses and other support staff have been posted here. Therefore, the hospital will now function as a cottage hospital."

He advised the community to protect the facility and cooperate with staff to ensure its smooth operations.

In his goodwill message, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Marcus Oluwadare, thanked Governor Diri for the support to health partners,  saying that the state witnessed five health outbreaks in 2024, but they were successfully tackled as a result of the support of the governor.

He equally revealed that cases of cholera outbreak in some communities were also swiftly responded to by the government when the state was alerted and that the situation had been brought under control.

He  pledged the support of WHO to ensure a healthy Bayelsa State.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, stated that the statewide medical outreach was a demonstration of the government's commitment to provide healthcare to all Bayelsans irrespective of financial status.

He said the key focus of the programme was to provide free medical intervention for indigent patients and that minor surgeries were also conducted at the facility, while major surgeries would be referred to designated centres at Otuasegha, Okolobiri, Diete Koki and other secondary and tertiary health facilities.

Prof. Brisibe also said the outreach provided the opportunity to formally open the hospital for use after years that the facility was left to rot away.

According to him,  a full complement of staff of the ministry have been posted to provide services at the hospital.

Other services offered, apart from minor surgeries were polio vaccination ,  distribution of 1000 treated mosquito nets, food supplements and other consumables.

 The commissioner, who said the cottage hospital would serve Ikarama and surrounding communities in Okordia, Zarama and Rivers State, encouraged the communities to take full advantage of the hospital.

The paramount ruler of Ikarama community, His Royal Highness, Wariebi Jonah, thanked the  governor for ensuring the renovation and commencement of operations at the hospital.

Highlights of the event was the administration of vaccines on children and tour of the facility by Governor Diri.

The event was attended among others by the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Hon. Fred Agbedi, Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, top government functionaries and traditional rulers.