Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised critics of his administration to stop de-marketing the state with falsehood and negative propaganda.
Governor Diri said the efforts of the administration to market the state and attract investors were beginning to yield positive results and recognition.
He also stated that despite the challenges, Bayelsa had achieved significant development since its creation 28 years ago.
The Bayelsa governor spoke on Wednesday during the 139th session of the state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.
He explained that his recent invitation as keynote speaker at an event on the sidelines of the United States General Assembly in New York was due to the organisers, African Leadership Magazine’s recognition of his administration’s modest achievements and the need to create a bigger platform for the Bayelsa story to be heard.
Governor Diri was honoured at the event with the Best Performing Governor Award as well as the Honorary Citizenship of the State of Georgia and a Legislative Commendation from the South Carolina State House of Representatives.
He urged members of his cabinet to redouble their efforts toward achieving the government’s policies, noting that its success or failure depended on their input.
The Bayelsa helmsman further stated that as part of the plan to revolutionise agriculture and ensure food security, mechanised farming equipment and tools will soon be made available to farmers.
He said: “I delivered a keynote address marketing our state on the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly in New York. While we are out to market our state, there are anti-deveopment people that are locally de-marketing Bayelsa.
“May God touch their hearts to know that the little efforts we are making here are being recognised out there, even if the critics do not. It is just a few of them. We know the greater percentage of Bayelsans recognise what we are doing.
“The African Leadership Magazine that gave the award has been on for more than 10 years. In all of the United Nations General Assembly annual events, the magazine always looks for people with parameters that they have set out. This time around, their parameters fell on Bayelsa State
“Let me again appreciate the people of Bayelsa, the elders and the youths, for their understanding that what led to the recent protests were national issues and not limited to Bayelsa State.
“For all of us who sincerely want the growth of Bayelsa, and knowing where we are coming from, we will be sincere to ourselves that Bayelsa is truly moving from one stage to the other. Yes, we are not where we expect to be but no one that is truly of Bayelsa origin will say that the state is not developing. Perhaps, such persons have no ears, eyes or sense of judgement.
“If we know where we are coming from, we should always be thankful to God that we have a state that is opening up. Our state is calm, is peaceful and the little effort we are putting in is being recognised globally.”
