By Julius Osahon, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said the Ijaw Nation has made significant progress in human and infrastructural development after the death of Major Isaac Adaka Boro, 55 years ago.
Diri made the declaration during the 2023 Boro Day Public Lecture and dinner, held at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, at the Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said it was after Boro that the Ijaw nation was able to produce a President of Nigeria and several top-ranking public office holders, including service chiefs in the armed forces.
He insisted that if Boro resurrected today, he would be glad that the Ijaw ethnic group had gained more ground and momentum since his death in 1968. His words: “I agree substantially with our lecturer this evening, Prof. Ambily Etekpe, on the issues discussed; but I differ on when more progress was recorded in the Ijaw struggle.
“I believe after Boro, more mileage has been made, because he had paid the supreme price, which is the fertiliser that grows the tree of success and freedom.
“We have made steady progress even though we are not where we are supposed to be. But we are not where we used to be.” Diri, who drew attention to Bayelsa’s infrastructural drive under his administration, said the state is not doing badly compered to other states created with it in 1996.
He pointed out that Bayelsa currently has three functional universities, an airport, and had expanded the road infrastructure it inherited from previous administrations.
ALSO, state government has urged members of the incoming 10th National Assembly from the Niger Delta to vigorously agitate for an upward review of the 13 per cent crude oil derivation formula to a minimum of 25 per cent.
Diri gave the charge at the 108th session of the state Executive Council meeting, yesterday, in the Government House, Yenagoa. Represented by his deputy, Ewhrudjakpo, the governor expressed regret that the 13 per cent oil derivation formula, which was subject to periodic review, has remained stagnant since 2003.
He also called on the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, to fulfill his promises, especially on resource control for the sake of equity and fairness to the people of the region, who are suffering the brunt of crude oil production in the country.
Source: The Guardian