By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

YENAGOA — As Bayelsa State nears its 30th anniversary, environmental lawyer and development consultant, Mr. Iniruo Wills, has called for urgent reforms to retool leadership and reboot governance, stressing the need for a clear developmental trajectory for the state.

Speaking in Yenagoa during an agenda-setting presentation, Wills described the milestone as arriving amidst unprecedented challenges—including global instability, climate change, supply chain disruptions, and national security threats—that place immense pressure on subnational governments.

“This moment carries a fresh but fierce urgency about solid governance and development,” Wills said, urging the state government to harness the occasion to chart a bold new course.

Reflecting on the state’s creation on October 1, 1996, under General Sani Abacha, Wills recalled the patriotism and enthusiasm of residents, particularly in Port Harcourt, who supported the fledgling administration of the first Governor, Navy Captain Phillip Ayeni. He also highlighted former President Goodluck Jonathan as a symbol of the dividends of Bayelsa’s creation, noting the state’s identity, political recognition, and sense of endearment from fellow Nigerians.

Wills highlighted the upcoming unveiling of a historical book on the state’s origin, authored by Engineer Numoipre Wills, one of the state’s first cabinet commissioners, scheduled for March 21 with former President Goodluck Jonathan presiding as chairman.

Despite ongoing challenges, Wills acknowledged notable progress, including long-awaited senatorial roads like the Ekeremor Road and the installation of a 60-megawatt gas turbine under Governor Douye Diri’s administration. He also praised the growth of higher education, noting five universities, including a medical university converted from an abandoned hospital project, and the University of Africa. Construction of a new civil service secretariat is underway.

On security and regional stability, Wills credited Bayelsa leaders, including former Governor Timipre Sylva and former NDDC Managing Director Timi Alaibe, for brokering the armistice that led to the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme.

Wills called for the development of a Bayelsa 2026–2056 Masterplan to guide socioeconomic growth over the next three decades, emphasizing vision, bold ambition, executive will, and fiscal discipline. He identified the Blue Economy as a key opportunity, advocating comprehensive water resources management to address flood and erosion risks and unlock maritime economic potential, including restoration of Epie Creek and optimized foreshore use through PPP-driven initiatives.

He suggested partnerships with planning institutions, Bayelsa professionals in the diaspora, the African Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, Afreximbank, and sector-specific funds such as the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund and NIMASA’s cabotage finance facility. Private sector actors like Dangote and Elumelu could also support the state’s vision.

Wills urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), led by Bayelsan Dr. Sam Ogbuku, to prioritize a regional development masterplan but stressed that Bayelsa should proceed with its state Masterplan independently.

He also highlighted environmental priorities, including full implementation of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) Report and appointment of a Special Counsel on Environmental and Climate Justice to coordinate remediation and position the state as a hub for climate action.

Additionally, Wills called for repositioning the Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC) to drive industrialization, reforming public service, urbanizing all local government headquarters, and establishing vocational schools and industrial clusters. To build human capacity and honor state heroes, he proposed centres of excellence, including the Ernest Ikoli Foundation, Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Library, Diete-Spiff Centre for Development Studies, and an Admiral Soroh Marine College.

“History now beckons. Bayelsa State is Governor Diri’s oyster. On October 1, 2026, the state can mark 30 years with visible structural transformation, and the drums should jolly well roll. The coming 30 weeks must be seized with bold vision to set the state as a reference point and pride for its people,” Wills concluded.