…Says Blaming APC-Led Federal Government for Poverty in Bayelsa Is Height of Irresponsibility, Disservice to President Tinubu
…Challenges State Government to Name Clear Wealth Creation, Employment, Poverty Alleviation Programmes
…Declares Readiness to Proffer Urgent Solutions in Interest of Suffering Bayelsans
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has fired back at the administration of Governor Douye Diri over the worsening economic hardship in the state, insisting that the provision of physical infrastructure alone cannot address hunger, poverty and the declining purchasing power of ordinary citizens.
The opposition party maintained that roads, bridges and public buildings, while important to development, cannot substitute for policies that put food on the tables of families, money in the pockets of citizens and sustainable jobs within the reach of young people.
In a press statement signed by the Bayelsa State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Ikaebimo Mark, the party described the state government’s response to its recent concerns about hunger and poverty as evasive, insensitive and disconnected from the economic realities confronting residents.
The PDP was reacting to a response reportedly attributed to the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, following the opposition party’s earlier statement on the economic condition of the people.
According to the PDP, rather than directly address the issues of hunger, poverty, unemployment and the declining purchasing power of residents, the state government allegedly chose to highlight infrastructure projects and attribute the hardship confronting Bayelsans to policies of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The party rejected the argument, insisting that every tier of government must accept responsibility for the welfare of the people within its constitutional mandate.
“While roads, bridges and public buildings are important, infrastructure without food on the table and money in the pocket cannot defeat hunger or lift people out of poverty,” the PDP declared.
PDP: Bayelsans Are Poorer, Hungrier Than Before
The opposition party further claimed that Bayelsans are poorer and hungrier today than they were before the Diri administration came into office, despite what it described as unprecedented revenues accruing to the state through statutory allocations and the 13 per cent derivation fund.
The PDP questioned why, after more than six years in office, the administration allegedly appears unable to point to clearly defined and impactful wealth creation, employment generation and poverty alleviation programmes that have substantially improved the economic lives of the people.
According to the party, the alleged inability of the government to clearly identify such programmes in its response amounted to a tacit admission that the administration had fallen short of public expectations in the critical areas of job creation and economic empowerment.
The party argued that governance must go beyond the construction of physical projects to include deliberate investment in human capital, productive enterprises and opportunities capable of improving household incomes.
‘Stop Shifting Blame to Federal Government’
The Bayelsa PDP also criticised what it described as attempts by the state government to shift responsibility for hunger and poverty to the APC-led Federal Government.
The party said such a position was unacceptable, particularly in view of the resources accruing to Bayelsa State, adding that blaming the Federal Government while allegedly failing to account for the impact of state resources on the economic wellbeing of residents amounted to a disservice to President Tinubu’s economic agenda.
“Such a posture does a disservice to the Renewed Hope efforts of the Federal Government under President Tinubu to reposition the nation’s economy. Every tier of government must accept responsibility for the welfare of the people within its constitutional mandate. Bayelsans deserve solutions, not excuses,” the statement said.
PDP Raises Questions Over Jobs, Industries and Investment
The opposition party also raised a series of questions concerning the economic condition of Bayelsans and the outcome of previous investment initiatives announced by the government.
It asked why more residents allegedly struggle to afford basic food items, why unemployment remains pervasive, and what had become of industries expected to emerge from various Memoranda of Understanding and investment announcements.
The party also questioned why many young people continue to leave Bayelsa State in search of employment and economic opportunities elsewhere.
“The questions remain unanswered: Why are more Bayelsans unable to afford basic food items today than they were a few years ago? Why is unemployment still pervasive? Where are the industries that were expected to emerge from the numerous Memoranda of Understanding and investment announcements? Why are young people leaving the state in search of opportunities elsewhere?” the PDP asked.
Party Criticises Workers’ Welfare, Appointees’ Pay
The PDP also criticised the welfare of public servants and political appointees in the state, alleging that Bayelsa workers are among the least motivated in the country.
It further claimed that political appointees are poorly remunerated under what it controversially described as a “Madam Must Go Market pay scale.”
According to the party, the situation is difficult for public servants and political office holders to endure, particularly in a state it said is blessed with significant financial resources.
PDP Demands Comprehensive Economic Recovery Initiative
As part of its proposed response to the economic challenges, the PDP renewed its call on the Diri administration to urgently establish what it termed a “Comprehensive State Economic Recovery, Wealth Creation, Employment Generation and Food Security Initiative.”
The party said such an initiative must be backed by measurable targets, clear timelines and transparent implementation.
It urged the government to invest directly in the people through industrial development, entrepreneurship support, agricultural value chains, skills acquisition, access to finance, sustainable job creation and the payment of bursaries to students in tertiary institutions.
The PDP maintained that economic recovery would require policies capable of moving beyond announcements to measurable outcomes in household income, employment, food security and business development.
‘We Are Ready to Offer Solutions’
Despite its criticism of the administration, the opposition party said it remained willing to work in the interest of Bayelsans by offering practical policy ideas to address the worsening hardship.
“As a responsible opposition party, the PDP remains ready and willing to work with the government by offering practical and urgent policy solutions capable of addressing the worsening hardship confronting Bayelsans,” the statement said.
The party added that the current economic situation demands collaboration, innovation and decisive action in the overriding interest of the people.
According to the PDP, the true test of governance should not be measured solely by foreign trips undertaken by government officials, the number of Memoranda of Understanding signed or the volume of projects announced.
Rather, the party argued, the ultimate measure of government performance should be whether citizens can feed their families, secure meaningful employment, build sustainable livelihoods and live with dignity.
“Bayelsans deserve a government that makes prosperity a reality, not merely a slogan,” the PDP concluded.
