By Samuel Oyadongha
Yenagoa—Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, is being given a face lift ahead of the two-day visit of President Umaru Yar’Adua slated for June 29-30.

While in Yenagoa, President Yar’Adua would commission a number of projects which are undergoing finishing touches.
The drive way to the Government House is undergoing renovation, while the dilapidated perimeter fence around the VIP lodge had been replaced with modern wire gauge for effective policing of the area.

The stretch of marshy land that once served as dumping site for abandoned vehicles, which is now hosting the new judiciary complex, has become a centre of attraction for most residents.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the giant symbol of justice sculpture work which was done by a group of Bayelsa artists, led by Pius Waritimi, would be airlifted by helicopter to a prepared base on top of the magnificent judiciary building before the commissioning.

Also, the breath-taking millennium park, the first of any such open relaxation park in state which is also undergoing finishing touches, is fast becoming a rendezvous for photographers ostensibly due to its beautiful scenery.

It was also discovered that the contractors of some of the abandoned internal roads have since returned to site and have started working on such roads, while the new government lodge is ready for commissioning.

Though most of the projects were inherited from the past administrations, the present administration is ensuring that they are not abandoned but completed because of the huge resources already expended on them.

The only new project, which foundation would be laid by the President, would be the Bayelsa Airport Project along the Zarama axis of the East-West road.

The only road leading to the state capital, the Mbiama-Yenagoa road from the border between Rivers and Bayelsa, is being fitted with street lights.

The state Commissioner for Information, Communications and Strategy, Chief Asara A. Asara, had while confirming the date of the President’s visit, assured all indigenes of the state that the present administration was ready to showcase development projects.

He, however, pleaded with the people to complement the state government’s effort with a rousing welcome of the President, who they considered as a man that has given a free hand for the speedy infrastructural development being witnessed in the state.