By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

YENAGOA — Stakeholders at the Bayelsa Infrastructure Rebirth 2.0 Breakfast Roundtable have endorsed Governor Douye Diri’s infrastructure development agenda and called for sustained investment in critical projects as well as stronger measures to protect public assets from vandalism.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the roundtable held in Yenagoa on Monday and signed by the Convener of the South South Reawakening Group, Elder Joseph Ambakaderimo.

The stakeholders urged the state government to sustain quality infrastructure development across key sectors, describing infrastructure as a major driver of economic growth, investment and improved living standards.

They also expressed confidence in Governor Diri’s administration for initiating and funding major infrastructure projects despite the state’s challenging riverine terrain.

According to the communiqué, many of the ongoing projects have demonstrated that Bayelsa’s difficult geographical landscape is not a barrier to large-scale infrastructure development.

The stakeholders, however, expressed concern over the vandalism of critical public infrastructure, particularly the recent attack that disrupted gas supply to the state’s gas turbine.

They condemned the incident and called on security agencies, host communities and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen efforts to protect public infrastructure from sabotage.

The communiqué stressed that safeguarding strategic assets is essential to ensuring uninterrupted power generation, economic stability and sustainable development in the state.

The roundtable also urged the government to institutionalise the ongoing infrastructure drive by adopting a sustainable framework that would ensure continuity beyond the current administration.

According to the participants, integrating infrastructure planning into the state’s long-term development strategy would preserve existing gains and enable future administrations to build on them.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, said the ongoing coastal road to Brass Kingdom would position Bayelsa as a major logistics hub for Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas industry.

“The road will significantly reduce travel time to offshore oil fields, attract private investment, create thousands of jobs and stimulate businesses in logistics, hospitality, marine transportation and other support services,” he said.

Also speaking, Convener of the South South Reawakening Group, Mr. Joseph Ambakaderimo, emphasised the need for sustained engagement between government and citizens to enhance public understanding of governance and infrastructure development.

“Continuous dialogue will strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence while ensuring citizens remain informed about government policies and ongoing developmental projects,” he said.

The event, themed “Bayelsa’s Infrastructure Rebirth 2.0 Under the Assured Prosperity Government of Governor Douye Diri,” brought together government officials, professionals, civil society organisations, media practitioners and other stakeholders to assess infrastructure development and its impact on the state’s economy.