Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has instructed members of his cabinet to commence the preparation of their handover notes as his first term in office comes to a close. The directive was given during the 126th state executive council meeting held inside the Executive Council Chambers at Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
Diri is set to be sworn in for another term on February 14, 2024, representing the Peoples Democratic Party. He emerged as the winner of the November 11, 2023, off-cycle governorship election, securing a total of 175,196 votes and defeating his major opponent, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, who garnered 110,108 votes.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the governor urged political appointees to finalize their handover reports for a seamless transition into his second term. Diri commended his cabinet members for their contributions to the state’s development and expressed gratitude for their selfless service over the last four years. He emphasized that the accomplishments achieved during his first term were collective and not exclusive to himself or his deputy.
While urging them to continue to contribute their best till the end of the term, Diri said, “As you are aware, our administration is winding down its first tenure and I know you will not wait for me to tell you to start preparing your handover notes. I believe some of you have started from last year. At the end of the day, everybody will see what you have done.
“I want to commend you for the selfless service you have rendered in the last four years and as you prepare your notes, dot the i’s and cross the t’s. So, for future purposes, those who will take over or even if you are continuing, you will be guided.
“I commend you for the spirit of oneness, unity and love we all saw in this executive council. That is why we have achieved so much under this four years. That is why the people said this government must come back for the next four years.
“It was not an exclusive preserve of myself as governor or my deputy governor. Yes, we led the pack but all of you contributed very well to the successes we have recorded in infrastructure, education, health, sports, security and even in the judiciary. So on behalf of the deputy governor, I say a big thank you to this state executive council. We have not dissolved the cabinet yet and today is not the last day.”
Earlier, the council held a valedictory session for the late former Commissioner for Finance, Steven Ogullah.
Diri said it was the policy of his administration to honour Exco members who served meritoriously, adding that he would propose an amendment to the policy to ensure that only those who served the state without blemish would be honoured.
He described the late Finance Commissioner as a dedicated man who gave his all to the service of the state and that he would be greatly missed.
The governor said even out of office, Ogullah remained committed to service to the state, as he was very supportive of his administration until his last days.
He also stated that Ogullah formed an organisation to galvanise support for his re-election and expressed gratitude to the departed commissioner for his abiding loyalty and support.
Diri urged members of his family to be comforted by his footprints in the development of the state, which he said will remain indelible.
Ogullah’s former colleagues, including Kesiye Frank-Oputu, Blesson Akpuluma, Robert Enogha and Josephine Ezonbodor, described him in their separate remarks as a loving and caring man who took his job seriously, saying his departure was not only a colossal loss to his family but also to the state.
