Rep. Fred Agbedi, representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives has said that the impressive performance of Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa is traceable to Diri’s roots in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Agbedi, a founding member of PDP noted that the developmental strides made by Diri who was elected for a second term on PDP ticket cannot be attributed to the App Progressives Congress (APC) which Diri joined recently.

The Lawmaker, stated this on Friday, during an interactive section with Federated Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa Council.

He maintained that Diri’s election for a second term of four years is on PDP platform and it would be unfair to give the credit to another party.

“Gov Diri is serving on the PDP ticket wherein he was elected and the credit should be to PDP whose policies and programmes he is implementing. He is doing well and when he finishes his second term, we can see what he can do in APC,” Agbedi said.

On his achievements and future plans, Agbedi said his focus has remained on delivering development and improving the living conditions of his constituents.

“Project monitoring and direct supervision have been central to my style of leadership.

“I regularly visit project sites to ensure quality delivery and accountability.

I am someone who takes time to commission and inspect projects across my federal constituency.

“As I sit here, tomorrow I will be going to my local government to inspect ongoing projects and also visit the renovation of a health centre that is underway,”.

He disclosed that preparations were also ongoing for the commencement of a modern market project in one of the local government areas, noting that contractors had already begun mobilization to the site.

The lawmaker maintained that his development footprint cuts across most communities within the two local governments under his constituency.

He said: “In terms of completed projects, I can tell you that I have executed projects in over two-thirds of the communities in my federal constituency,”.

He explained that education has remained one of his major intervention areas, revealing that schools are constructed and renovated annually through constituency budget allocations.

“I have been able to construct and renovate at least three to four schools in every budget year within my constituency.

“The programmes include vocational training and the distribution of tools and equipment to beneficiaries.

“We do empowerment programmes every two years, ranging from training to provision of empowerment equipment.

“We trained people in catering, perfume production and other vocational skills to help them become self-reliant in the society,” he said.

He further disclosed that cooperative societies involving women across communities had benefited from grants designed to strengthen local businesses and household income.

“I have also been involved in organizing people into cooperative groups where women from many communities were brought together.

“Grants ranging from ₦350,000 to ₦1 million were provided to support their activities, for a better life for the rural people.

The lawmaker said rural electrification through solar power has become necessary because many communities remain outside the national electricity grid.

He explained that solar-powered street lighting projects had improved safety and mobility in several areas.

“One very important thing for our communities is solar light systems, most of our communities are without the national grid, and with solar lights, people can move safely even in the darkest of nights.

“Healthcare has also received special attention through medical outreach programmes and health facility interventions,” he said.

He recalled a recent commissioning of solar-powered health centres and narrated how one medical outreach led to life-changing support for a child with an eye condition.

“Recently, I was involved in commissioning solar-powered facilities for health centres, during one of our medical outreaches, I met a child with a serious eye problem and we had to take the child to FMC Yenagoa for treatment.

“Meeting the child again after treatment inspired me to sponsor the child’s education till university level.

“When I saw the child again and observed the improvement, I decided to award a scholarship from kindergarten to university level,” he said.

The lawmaker also revealed plans for a healthcare scheme aimed at providing free medical services to about 2,000 constituents annually.