Diri Launches UNODC Projects Funded By Germany

Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, has launched two projects carried out by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and supported by the German government.

A police station and a youth development centre were built in the Otuan settlement in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. The projects also include the purchase of cassava processing machinery.

Diri thanked the German government and the UNODC for collaborating with his administration on crime prevention and community development, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah.

He stated that the projects carried out in the community demonstrated that partnerships between the state administration and foreign development partners had excellent results.

The governor thanked international development partners for collaborating with the state administration, emphasising that prevention was the greatest way to combat crime.

“I have met with several embassies in Nigeria. In Nigeria, I worked with the United Nations and the European Union. What you have seen today is a result of our efforts, which have borne fruit. Thank you for cooperating with the Bayelsa State Government and for understanding that the greatest approach to reducing crime is to prevent it. That is exactly what you have done. We believe that this partnership will last.

“We are the first state to establish an agency for crime prevention and crime control headed by Mrs. Faith Zibbs-Godwin. Members of this agency have been working very hard with the UNODC, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) and other agencies to reduce crime and drug abuse.”

In response to community pleas, Senator Diri asked the Commissioner of Education to oversee the prompt rehabilitation of the dilapidated primary school, as well as the supply of additional chairs for the school.

He also agreed to expand the garri processing center, build internal roads, and install more solar lights in the neighborhood.

Diri also asked the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps Coordinator to identify Otuan vigilante persons who are competent to be absorbed into the Corps in order to improve security in the community and environs.

Annett Gunther, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, stated in her speech that there was a need to bring communities together and devise measures to tackle crime. According to her, “The aim is to increase the quality of the relationship between communities and security forces as the best way to fight crime was its prevention.”

Gunther noted that the youth centre would engage young people in sports and skills acquisition in order to prevent them from substance abuse and crime.

Also, the UNODC country representative, Dr. Oliver Stolpe, said the projects were designed to empower people in the communities by changing their mindsets as well as assisting them in addressing security challenges.

He equally urged the state government to engage UNODC, Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) and other international development partners to ensure sustainable development plans for the state.

Speaking at the event, the Bayelsa Commissioner for Police, Mr. Rumokere Ibani, solicited the cooperation of communities in the fight against sea piracy, kidnapping and other crimes.

Presenting an address on behalf of the community, Chief Victor Perebi Bob, said the projects and programmes instituted by the German government and UNODC would have far-reaching impacts on the Otuan people and neighbouring communities.

According to him, Otuan, which is one of the three pilot communities, was without a functional police post for over a decade until UNODC provided one.

He expressed gratitude to the German Government for the gesture and listed hair-styling, detergent making, bead-making and sporting activities as areas where youths will receive training.

Dignitaries at the event included the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Peter Akpe, Principal Secretary, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, State Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Solomon Agwana, Executive Chairman, State Internal Revenue Board, Dr. Nimbofa Ayaowei, among other top government officials.