By Passman Akpos
The Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, has described Governor Douye Diri as the “Lee Kuan Yew of our time,” praising the governor’s leadership style, infrastructure development and economic vision as key drivers of what he called an industrial revolution in Bayelsa State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Ikuli argued that Governor Diri’s governance model deserves academic attention, saying students of political science, leadership and development studies should study his administration’s approach to governance.
According to the governor’s aide, Bayelsa has witnessed a significant transformation over the past six years, moving away from longstanding perceptions of underdevelopment, insecurity and poor infrastructure.
Ikuli maintained that before the current administration, much of the state was accessible only by waterways because of inadequate road networks. He said the government has since embarked on major road and bridge projects that have expanded access to several communities across Southern Ijaw, Nembe, Brass and Ekeremor Local Government Areas.
The adviser also credited the administration with improving security across the state, claiming that Bayelsa is now regarded as one of the safest states in Nigeria due to the government’s zero-tolerance approach to crime and criminality.
He further stated that enhanced street lighting and security initiatives in Yenagoa, undertaken in collaboration with the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, have encouraged nightlife and boosted commercial activities within the state capital.
Highlighting economic development, Ikuli pointed to the completion of the 60-megawatt gas turbine project, saying it is expected to attract investors, businesses and new residents to Bayelsa.
He also identified the ongoing Nembe-Brass Road and Ekeremor-Agge Road projects as strategic infrastructure that would unlock the state’s vast maritime and coastal economic potential, creating opportunities for seaports, fishing, logistics, manufacturing, hospitality and international trade.
The governor’s aide further listed several projects executed under the administration, including the New Yenagoa City road network, the Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, the Onopa-New Yenagoa City Link Road, the Igbedi Road, the Polaku-Sabageria Road, the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road, the 30,000-capacity FIFA-standard stadium and the ongoing nine-storey state secretariat.
According to him, the administration has also invested heavily in technical education, healthcare and sports development, expressing optimism that Bayelsa would in the future become a major exporter of skilled artisans, medical professionals and other technical manpower.
Ikuli concluded by urging Bayelsans to continue supporting Governor Diri and to pray for his administration, expressing confidence that the governor would complete his tenure on a strong note.
The statement reflects the views of Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli and has not been independently verified by Tarakirivoice. Government performance assessments may differ depending on available data, independent evaluations and public opinion.
