Urbanization, Development and Bayelsa State – By Ofoni WILLIAMS (Founding father)

Urbanization is a phenomenal issue all over the globe and it critical place in the scheme of things and mankind need not undermined.

This is the opposite of the rural areas where there is sharp contrast in the range of opportunities in the sphere of modernity (Industrialisation, Education, Health and Commercializat ion etc)

The absence of modern life sustaining amenities and opportunities had occasion rural urban drift with serious advert effect on both divide.

As on the part of the urban centres, now witness slump development to meet housing needs in cities unjustly.

Whereas, the manpower or hands needed in the rural areas for mainly agricultural and food production decreases, which ushers issue of food in security and underdevelopment of the rural areas in third world countries.

More particularly in Africa continent, where Agricultural activities relied mostly on human population involved in farming and food production because of crude implements or absence of mechanised farming.

Therefore, urbanization and development are twin issue needed to be addressed jointly by government and right attitude of citizens of any nation remains reasonable important.

Of late, the mentality of getting rich and well stay of citizenry is believed to be in the urban centres or cities.

Hence, urban centres records population that overwhelm it sustainability in many fronts. Be it in decent housing, economy capacity etc of the city’s.

The so called anticipated job opportunities in the cities centres are difficult to be found on a serious note.

This as brought to bear serious far reaching implications on life sustainace, security, environmental issues etc in cities.

In the light of the above, the city centres need to be properly structured, designed and developed to meet life sustainace and other issues ranging from security, environment economy issues in a corresponding manner to her population.

In achieving this desired outcome and development, government must be critical and take the lead via law and regulations that shall elicit development in it true sense and concept of what development stand for or aimed at achieving.

The tune of town planning and tools equally remains critical at this stage in addressing development of urban areas beyond mere aesthetics.

As proper streeting, impacts transport system, security, economy, environment and channelling of certain social amenities such as electrification, water pipe lines, drainage etc that are of essence are probably paged.

However, the chaotic nature of urban areas are now associated with, do not demean the fact that planning had not be considered in Nigeria.

As far back 1946, the Nigeria town and country ordinance was in place. This gives a redefined taught on planning with a view to improve and develop different parts of Nigeria via planning schemes and creation of planning authorities.

Upon the existence of the Nigeria town and country ordinance of 1946. Abuja is truly the first planned city to be built in Nigeria.

The science of planning requires certain conditions and attributes for effective planning and development.

Firstly, for proper planning and development, location should be relatively low in terms of population, possibly location should be completely fresh settlement for cost effectiveness too.

Land availability is of essence for future expansion among other factors are of importance.

However, it’s important to note that despite urbanization is at increase in Nigeria and the city centres play vital role or functioned as the engine of economic growth. Nigeria cities are largely unplanned and unprecedented physical growth is recorded.

Bayelsa state that was created twenty eight years ago with capital (Yenagoa) is not an exception and had ample opportunity to record planned development .

But unfortunately, the state capital remain unpleasantly unplanned. Thus, is better described as breeding ground for slumps development.

Most sadly, Bayelsa state was created after Abuja had come to be. It had all the needed conditions to achieve planned development.

The father and mother of planned development in far way Greek and American must be weeping in their graves for Bayelsa state.

The Greek philosopher Hippodamus (498 to 408 BC) is regarded as the first town planner and inventor of the orthogonal urban layout .

While Jane Jacob (nee Butzner….4th may 1916 to 25th April 2006 is seen as mother for influencing urban studies, sociology and economics. She is a Canadian American.

Equally, the whaling of our fore bearers in the struggle of self determination and state creation are weeping in their graves profusely of the unplanned development in Bayelsa state.

When shall our fore bearers be comforted with seasoned planned development remain a question to be answered.

Bayelsans and Izon nation lacks good ethics in celebrating her falling hero beyond Rice and beer’s.

Late chief Ernest okoli, Dappa Briye, Major Adaka Boro etc and many others need to be celebrated with profound planned development in Bayelsa, Izon nation and beyond.

The unfortunate situation of Bayelsa state capital (Yenagoa) is completely failure of leadership and absence of structured plan to effect development.

Be that it may be, it not a death sentence because and if only, political will does exist to up turn the impossitory development that is a nake development of mere expansion.

The Bayelsa air waves was greeted few months ago by Senator Duoye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa state public proclamation that certain area within the East west to Epie creek is now earn marked for development.

And as a proposal in the social media linked to Bayelsa professional justly backs Sen Duoye Diri proclamation to that effect.

Interestingly, this was the view 30 years ago of Sagbama Developmental League that suggested in their appearance and presentation before the Mbanifo panel.

That the Bayelsa state capital be situated from Adagbabiri, Sagbama, Trofani, Odi , Kaiama for obvious reasons and including land availability, defence, low population and centrality etc.

The 2012 and 2022 floods gives credence for the need for development on the East west axis of Bayelsa state.

This must have informed Chief Timpre Sylva, former Governor of Bayelsa state to have situated Bayelsa state Airport on the East west axis of zarama in his tenure.

The view and presentation of Sagbama developmental League had come to fore but this occasioned 30mins stand down before the Mbanifo panel because the location of the state capital was at variance with that of INC and Bayelsa forum.

But at last, Yenagoa was settled for as the three bodies resolved.

Its crystal clear that Bayelsa state need structured planned development and the East west axis is direction to go.

Hence, in preclude to developing the East west axis of Bayelsa state for fresh befitting planned development.

Bayelsa state government should as a matter of urgency ensure that the Sampou, Odoni, Agbere, Abuoetor, Osekenikwe, Asamabiri and Elemebiri road that is a regional, coastal and Senatorial in nature in Bayelsa palace be constructed without further delay.

The road in itself outside known contributory potential it holds in the development of Bayelsa state. It shall reduce the pressure on the East west road.

Therefore, Sen Duoye Diri should do his talking or fulfill campaign promise to the communities by assembling or galvanize all agencies be it NDDC, Niger Delta Basin Authority, Multinationals entities, federal government and sister states of Rivers, Imo, Anambra etc to equally construct their sections.

The newly created Eastern development commission should demonstrate her existence with this signature project.

On the part of Senator Duoye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa state, it should note that there is absolutely nothing wrong to rejig the rural development centres of late Chief DSP ALAMEYESIAGHA, former Governor Bayelsa state and Governor General of Izonland, popularly referred to as G32.

The above is precipitate on the inherent advantage and potential of the centres to development of the state.

Firstly, to stem rural urban drift, grooming centres for future political leadership and administrators, bring government and governance closer to the people and encourage participatory democracy etc

But not necessarily spreading appointment to rural dwellers unjustly for mere political patronage without seasoned multiplier effect on even the so called beneficiaries and the rural geography more particularly.

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