IGBOZURUOKE FORUM

Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has said that the distribution of palliatives to citizens by the government is not the lasting solution to the economic hardship in the country.

Diri said this during the Easter Sunday service at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in his community, Sampou, in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said even though he was not against the distribution of palliatives, he was more concerned with putting in place the right structures and systems to address the economic challenges.

He said his administration was initiating policies and programmes that would bring about long-term empowerment to the people of the state rather than short-term palliatives.

According to him, the government was tackling manpower shortage and the skills challenge by establishing technical colleges in its eight local government areas, embarking on skills acquisition programmes, building roads to connect the hinterlands as well as other infrastructure that would bring socio-economic empowerment to the people.

Governor Diri also stressed that the government alone cannot provide for everyone. He, therefore, called on the people to get involved in businesses and other meaningful ventures toward adding value to their lives and the state.

He said: “There is nowhere in the world that the government does everything for you. Let us get involved in businesses. Take advantage of our skills acquisition programmes and that way you will add value to yourselves and Bayelsa State. That way youth will become productive.”

On the significance of the Easter celebration, Diri urged the people to learn from the lessons of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot and that of the doubting Thomas Didymus in the scripture.

He advised Christians to imbibe the virtues of trust, honesty and faithfulness to have a better society.

In his sermon, Bishop of Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Funkuro Amgbare, said the power in the resurrection of Jesus Christ brought about salvation for Christians.

Sahara Reporters