Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration would this year diversify the state’s economy away from the total dependence on revenue from oil-related monthly allocation as well as create more jobs to engage its youths.

The governor, in his New Year Day broadcast tagged: “Message of Hope and Prosperity”. also promised to raise the internally generated revenue profile of the state in 2021.

The Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a press release, quoted Governor Diri as urging Bayelsans to partner with his government to create the conducive environment that would attract investors and tourists to the state.

His words: “In this new year, as a consequence of the well-conceived policies and estimates contained in the already passed 2021 “Budget of Growth,” we expect to witness accelerated development and progress across all strata of our lives, all things being equal.

“We will diversify our economy, create sustainable jobs to engage our youths and explore alternative sources of improving our internally generated revenue. If we look inwards, the buds of change that have opened since we took over government will begin to yield fruit.

“With your partnership, we will create the conducive environment that will attract investors and tourists and allow our people to participate in the prosperity for all. We face many obstacles, but we are an indomitable people. It is our prayer that God will grant us wisdom, favour and insight to hidden treasures to make this possible timeously.

“In 2021, we are going to consolidate on existing programmes and expand our activities to bring relief to a greater number of our citizens.”

The governor listed some of his administration’s quick-win interventions to include the DiriBoost training and empowerment scheme for youths to become employers of labour as well as focusing on the agriculture sector to drive its economic diversification programe.

He added that the government would commence construction of the 22km outer ring road project in Yenagoa in January and embark on the repair and maintenance of 50 internal roads in the Yenagoa metropolis alongside other projects.

Urging the people to be courageous, he said the outgone year was dynamic, turbulent and challenging but that they must resolve to develop the state so that the dream of its founding fathers for a prosperous Bayelsa that is truly the Glory of all Lands would be realised.

“As a government, we will continue to make the responsible choices and take the tough decisions that will enhance our quest for a prosperous state. We are conscious that the decisions we make today have far-reaching implications for generations yet unborn. It is a responsibility we take very conscientiously. Therefore, we cannot afford to abdicate our duty.”

He expressed appreciation to citizens of the state for their solidarity with and support for his Prosperity Administration and promised to work hard to justify their trust and confidence.

“Despite all the odds against us, we have made headway and taken many important steps that have made a world of difference. For instance, the proactive actions we initiated have accounted for the peace and security that we have enjoyed over the course of 2020. It has not only ensured the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes, as in the case of Nembe community, but also made it conducive for holding free, fair and credible bye-elections in the Central and West Senatorial zones.

“We are also proud of the interventions we made in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic that ensured that our state recorded one of the least casualties and fatalities in the country. Thank you for your cooperation in this regard. Needless to say, the fight against this unseen enemy is far from over. I implore you to remain vigilant until we conquer this foe.”

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