The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) Yenagoa Chapter has commended the Governor of Bayelsa State for transforming the landscape of Bayelsa with legacy projects.
The Chairman of the Yenagoa Chapter of the NIA, Arch. Richman Boufini, gave the commendation when he led members of the institute on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure at his office in Yenagoa on Tuesday, September 23 2025.
Arch. Boufini noted that Governor Douye Diri was doing so much in changing the landscape of Bayelsa State, making particular references to the ongoing Nine-Storey Secretariat Complex, the 25,000-capacity expandable stadium and the massive development in the New Yenagoa City GRA
He equally praised the Governor for contracting landmark projects like the Nine-Storey Secretariat and the Convocation Arena at Niger Delta University to indigenes and members of their institute namely, Architects Harcourt Aduke and Reuben Okoya respectively.
Speaking further, NIA Chairman harped on the need for continuous collaboration, sponsorship of architects in the Ministry to national conferences while also inviting the Honourable Commissioner for some of their upcoming events.
Responding, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, ESV Moses Teibowei, noted that the Governor is in tune with the needs of Bayelsa, stressing that as one who had served in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) as Organising Secretary, the Governor knew what exactly were the challenges of the State and the region.
ESV Teibowei therefore noted that, for Senator Diri, becoming a governor was an opportunity to contribute his own quota to the development of Bayelsa State and indeed to leave an indelible mark in history of our development.
Speaking on the issue of indigenous architects’ engagement, he emphasized that the Governor believes in local content and that architects Aduke and Okoya had become household names in architecture hence they were contracted.
The Commissioner further encouraged younger architects to be hardworking and emulate the duo to carve a niche for themselves while assuring the institute of the Ministry’s support and collaboration.
