Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has called for synergy between the state government and the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing on the development of critical infrastructural projects in the state.

The demand came as the Federal Government resumes construction work on the Yenegwe-Kolo-Nembe road project.

Speaking during the courtesy visit of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and his team to Government House in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson lamented the inaccessibility of Brass, Bonny and Ogulagha Islands, hosting crude oil terminals in the Niger Delta.

Describing Brass Island as strategic to the national economy, Governor Dickson said his administration had injected N3 billion to enable the contractors handling the Ogbia-Nembe road complete the first phase of the project.

He, therefore, expressed the preparedness of the state government to partner with the Federal Government towards the completion of the second phase of the road project to link Brass Island and enable the government harness the vast natural resources located in the area.

According to him, the collaboration with the federal government on the construction of the three senatorial roads was essential to link communities across the state to boost socio-economic activities.

While expressing confidence in Mr. Fashola’s capacity to deliver on his mandate, Governor Dickson also sought the partnership of the Federal Government in the area of housing and power generation, towards making the state a hub for power generation projects, because its abundant gas reserves.

The Governor noted that Bayelsa was endowed with abundant gas resources which he noted, could be utilised in driving the industrialisation efforts of both the state and

federal governments.

He urged the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to key into the efforts of the state government, in attracting investors to develop power projects in the state.

In his remarks, Fashola expressed the Federal Government’s determination to complete the Yenegwe-Okarki-kolo road project as the contractor has already been mobilised to site.

The minister noted that the project which has reached 47% completion was abandoned due to lack of funds, while the Kolo-Etegwe-Bayelsa Palm road project contract had been awarded but construction is yet to take off.

He also appealed to Governor Dickson and other governors in the Niger Delta to sensitise their members in the Governors’ Forum as well as their representatives in the National Assembly to make the budgetary process flexible for the funding of such projects.

According to Fashola, the infrastructural projects represent the pathway to economic recovery during this recession, as it will create employment for the local people and connect them to easily reach other parts of the country by road.

•Photo by Lucky Francis shows Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson (left) presenting a souvenir to the Hon. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola during a courtesy call at Government House Yenagoa on Friday.

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