KEY POINTS
- Part of urban renewal the motor parks in Bayelsa are relocated to a central terminal in Igbogene.
- Gov Diri calls for peaceful yuletide, spotlights tourism boost.
- However, reactions to terminal’s distance from the city center are mixed.
Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri however said that his administration’s urban renewal plans would make Yenagoa a modern city.
The relocation of inter-state commercial transporters to the state owned transport terminal at Igbogene is one of the key milestones to have been achieved in the realization of the vision.
Improving urban infrastructure
Gov Diri spoke in Yenagoa on Wednesday when he addressed a state executive council meeting, saying they are hallmarks of modern cities. The new terminal represents a change towards a structured, on track and secure transport system.
So I went to the new terminal and saw its beauty. “This is what every modern society does,” Diri said. The terminal operations featured in his speech would help monitor who entered the state in an attempt to cut down on crime, he said.
Gov. Diri warned against touting the terminal and from boardings and bookings outside the facility. “Iwuanyanwu said nobody should return agbero condition there.” “It’s a model with everything provided,” he said.
Tourism development and peaceful yuletide
Diri commended the security agencies in Bayelsa for their efforts to make the festive season a crime free one. He also applauded dancehall artist and founder of the Timaya Day known as Timaya for his musical extravaganza staged on January 1 that has seen an increase in tourism and youth participation.
And instructively, there was no crime during the concert. The security fell into their own hands while the youths were well behaved. I believed from what I saw there is hope for our state and country,” he said.
Challenges and what’s to come
Many including the motor parks relocation have received mixed reactions; especially with the distance of the Igbogene terminal from the city centre.
However, Governor Diri believes there will be benefits to modernization. While there are these concerns, Governor Diri is still of the view that modernization will bring a lot of benefits.
But he told residents he would ensure Yenagoa became a modern city, saying, ‘For the first time in this state, we are seeing what a city is like.’ The reason we want Yenagoa to be better.”
The community chief in Agbere, Sagbama Local Government Area, was recently murdered but the community has been assuring of peace and Diri commended the community and promised to investigate the incident thoroughly.
