A governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Domor Mienye, has called for what he described as a “complete reset” of governance, economic planning and development priorities in the state.
Mienye said that although Bayelsa remains one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich states, its vast potential has yet to translate into the level of prosperity, industrial growth and employment opportunities expected by its people.
He noted that the state stands at a critical point in its history and must begin preparing for a future beyond crude oil through deliberate investments in productive sectors of the economy.
According to the APGA governorship aspirant, Bayelsa’s development challenge is not merely the absence of resources but the failure to translate available public revenues into productive assets, industries, infrastructure and sustainable jobs.
“Civil society budget reports, official Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) records and Bayelsa State’s published budget and financial documents indicate that the state has received well in excess of N2 trillion through statutory allocations, 13 per cent derivation and related federation-account revenues over the last decade.
“With proper management, foresight and disciplined execution, a significant portion of these resources could have been channelled into industries, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and job-creating initiatives for our youths. That is why I believe Bayelsa needs a complete reset,” he said.
Mienye explained that the reset he advocates is not merely about changing political actors but about transforming the systems, priorities and culture of governance.
“When I say Bayelsa needs a complete reset, I am not talking about changing faces. I am talking about changing systems, priorities and outcomes. The future cannot be built using the same thinking that produced our present challenges,” he added.
He maintained that Bayelsa must gradually move away from an economy driven almost entirely by monthly allocations and begin to build productive sectors capable of generating sustainable wealth, employment and exports.
He identified agriculture, manufacturing, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, technology and the blue economy as sectors capable of driving long-term economic transformation if properly developed.
“Every successful economy creates value before it creates wealth. Bayelsa must begin producing more, processing more, exporting more, and creating more opportunities for its people. We cannot continue to rely almost entirely on revenues we do not control,” he said.
Mienye commended the state government’s investment in Power generation Infrastructure and further called for greater investment to make electricity available to the people.
