Diri Calls for South-South Unity as SSDC Begins Regional Engagement

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has called for greater unity and collaboration among South-South states as the South South Development Commission (SSDC) commenced its regional engagement with member states.

Receiving the SSDC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Usoro Akpabio, and other members of the Commission at Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri described the establishment of the SSDC as the fulfilment of years of advocacy by the people of the region.

He said the Commission has a critical responsibility to address the developmental and environmental challenges confronting the Niger Delta, stressing that greater cooperation among South-South states is essential to achieving sustainable development.

Governor Diri noted that the region has long faced unique challenges arising from decades of oil exploration and expressed confidence that the Commission would help drive meaningful progress.

Speaking during the visit, SSDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Usoro Akpabio, commended the Bayelsa State Government for its developmental strides and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to partnering with the state in areas including human capital development and sustainable economic growth.

Following the meeting, Governor Diri directed members of the State Executive Council to lead the SSDC delegation on an inspection tour of major government projects across the state.

The delegation visited the Bayelsa ICT Village, where officials highlighted efforts to promote digital innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-driven development among young people.

The team also toured the Government Technical College, Swali, the state’s drone-enabled medical delivery centre, the Bayelsa Gas Turbine Power Plant, the Ingbi Bridge on Glory Drive Phase Three, and the Bayelsa State Medical University.

At the end of the inspection, Usoro Akpabio described Bayelsa’s development strides as impressive and pledged the Commission’s continued partnership with the state to promote sustainable development across the South-South region.

The visit formed part of the SSDC’s regional engagement with South-South states aimed at strengthening collaboration and identifying opportunities for sustainable development across the region.