THE NATION

Bayelsa State governor ,  Douye Diri,  has called on the Federal Government to give more opportunities to Bayelsa people at the federal level, alleging  the state has been shortchanged for long.

Diri made the assertion when he received the Federal Commissioner representing Bayelsa in the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Mr Tonye Okio.

The governor also promised to support the agency to ensure that the state gets its fair share of positions and infrastructure,  a statement by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said on Friday.

Diri said as a former member of the House of Representatives, he was aware of the unfair distribution of federal positions and amenities among Nigerians, noting that the commission had a lot to do to ensure fairness and justice.

While advocating more openings for Bayelsans at the centre, Diri encouraged people of the state to be open to opportunities to fill the state’s quota at the federal level.

Diri said: “We thank you for this visit. It shows that you also live above partisan politics and that is the only way we can grow as a state. Once elections are over, litigations are over, we all join hands to talk about the development of our state.  “I assure you that our administration will support you and work with you to ensure that our state gets its rightful place in terms of appointments, employment, fairness and equity in distribution of socio-economic infrastructure.”

In his remarks, Okio said the purpose of the visit was to introduce himself and other members of his team to the governor and to solicit his support to enable them succeed in their assignment.