By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

All roads leading to the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in the heart of Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital were weekend temporarily closed to traffic as Governor Timipre Sylva declared his intention to contest the 2011 polls for a second tenure under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Except for the governor’s convoy that was allowed access into the arena vehicular movements were restricted about 500 metres away from the venue for security reason.

The army of supporters including commissioners and other top government functionaries had to trek the long distance to the sports complex venue of the governor’s declaration.

Though military men were conspicuously absent at the venue of the declaration they were however seen earlier patrolling the streets of the capital city in battle ready tanks in what sources described as routine exercise.

Also, the army of supporters who thronged the stadium were thoroughly screened by policemen and men of the Nigerian Civil and Defence Corps who ensured that no sachet or bottle water was carried along with them into the arena ostensibly to avert a repeat of the ugly incident in which the governor was pelted with sachet water and other objects during the last visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state.

The event not only turned out to be a huge carnival with the various support groups for the governor trying to outdo one another in their colourful attire but also attracted some representatives of the state in the National Assembly such as Senator Emmanuel Paulker representing Bayelsa Central, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, West senatorial district, Hon Clever Marcus Ikisikpo, Ogbia federal constituency, Warman Ogoriba, Yenagoa-Kolokuma-Opokuma federal constituency, members of the state house of assembly, chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Joshua Igbagara among others.

Speaking at the occasion, an elated Governor Sylva clad in white attire, said he was offering himself for the exalted office after due consultation with his families, political associates, friends and opinion leaders across the state.

Accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Alayingi Sylva, his deputy, Hon Werinipre Seibarugu and members of National and State Assemblies, Sylva said his mission was not to embark on roads projects, education and heath care delivery, but to unlock the potentials of an average Bayelsans.

Sylva who described transformation leadership as an uphill task, said he became the governor of Bayelsa State by the divine grace of God, stressing that the people of the state had been his source of strength.

The governor who enumerated his achievements in the last three years urged all eligible Bayelsans to register during the forthcoming voters registration exercise so as not to disenfranchise themselves in the 2011 polls.

He recalled the parlous state of affairs in the state when he assumed office as his administration had to contend with youth militancy and its attendant consequences on the socio economic well being of the state.

“There was low productivity, frustration; high rate of unemployment’s and agitations all enveloped the state,” he recalled adding that his administration had embarked on road construction, health care delivery, upgrading and accreditation of the Niger Delta University NDU and construction of regional water schemes in the state.

Earlier, the chairman, Governing Council of the Niger Delta University, Prof Kimse Okoko while declaring open the event had lauded the development strides of the incumbent governor citing the near accreditation of virtually all the courses offered by the state government owned institution which is barely ten years old and urged Bayelsans to rally round Sylva to ensure his return to office come 2011 to enable him consolidate on the good work being done.

According to the university don, some leaders would have lost all hope in carrying on at the height of youth militancy when the state was practically brought on its knees and had to contend with sharp drop in allocation which slowed down the tempo of projects execution in the early days of the administration.

Governor Sylva in spite of the odds against his administration Prof Okoko noted was focused and carried on soldierly with the meager resources at his disposal to bring about changes in the state citing the flurry of internal road constructed within the capital city.

Prof Okoko also cited the governor’s effort in enthroning peace as well as reviving the parlous state of Bayelsa economy with the establishment of the first industry in the state, the Bayelsa Plastic industry.

“There is no vacancy in Creek Haven. We should give Sylva another four years to enable him accomplish his good work,” he said.