Nigeria: Bayelsa West APC Elders Caucus Decries Diri, Deputy's Inability to Revitalize Oil and Gas Projects

4 August 2024

The Bayelsa West APC Elders Caucus, has decried last Wednesday's meeting between Governor Douye Diri and Nigeria's Minister of State Petroleum - Oil, Heineken Lokpobiri as shameful to the homogenous Ijaw state.

The caucus said that rather than discuss how to revitalize oil and gas projects initiated by the administration of Muhammadu Buhari in the State particularly the Olobiri National Oil Museum at Ogbia, Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited and Brass Atlantic refinery both in Brass Island, the leaders choose to chase shadows.

"The fact that Chief Timipre Sylva's political leadership dominated discourse during the State 132 Executive Council Meeting in Government House Yenagoa is shameful to the homogenous Ijaw State that is in dire need of industrial revolution", the caucus said.

The Group position which was contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Ebimene Tamarauemi and made available to Vanguard

Ebimene "wondered why a meeting of the two State leaders will give zero attention to Federal Government plans to revitalize oil and gas projects initiated by Muhammadu Buhari administration in the State particularly the Olobiri National Oil Museum at Ogbia, Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited and Brass Atlantic refinery both in Brass Island .

The release also "faulted Governor Douye Diri claims that the 2023 APC Governorship candidate Timipre Sylva and those who supported the Okpoama born politician in the last gubernatorial poll of sponsoring a violent protest against the state.

The APC Chieftain insists that the Governor's utterance contradict his precious position of building unity among the people of the State

He emphasized on the urgent need for the Governor and the Minister of Oil to focus on how pipe- born water will be provided for residents in coastal communities that are often exposed to waterborne diseases and other health problems in Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor, Brass and other Council areas of the State

He added that epileptic electric power supply in the State particularly the Local Government Area of the Oil Minister that has been cut -off from the national grid since 1996 when Bayelsa was created should be a serious concern to both Governor Diri and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

The Bayelsa West Elders Caucus also asserted that recent consistent attack on the Person of Chief Timipre Sylva by the Governor and his Deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo is capable of creating tension and unhealthy rivalry among grassroot political supporters across the state.

The Political support Group also criticized Senator Ewhrudjakpo Thursday declaration that Chief Sylva constructed substandard internal roads in the State capital when he served as Governor of the State

The Bayelsa West APC Elders Caucus says, the Deputy Governor comments that Chief Sylva empowered Bayelsa Youths with drugs and weapons is not only derogatory but a deliberate attempt to woo Bayelsa people from the Prosperity Government struggle to fulfil its second term campaign promises.

Chief Ebimene asked the former works commissioner to do research on the numbers of youths Timipre Sylva Government sponsored to Russia to study Medicine, Engineering Pharmacy and other professional courses between 2007 to 2011

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