By Rhoda Godwin
YENAGOA – The Bayelsa State Government has expressed its readiness to partner with the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) to harness the state’s vast agricultural and natural resources as part of efforts to drive economic development and sustainable prosperity.
Governor Douye Diri made the commitment on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the federal agency led by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, the governor described Bayelsa as one of the most attractive destinations for investment in Nigeria and the West African sub-region due to its strategic location and abundant natural endowments.
Diri noted that beyond its oil and gas wealth, the state is richly endowed with biological and agricultural resources that could be developed to create jobs, improve livelihoods and diversify the economy.
He commended the NBRDA for choosing Bayelsa as the host of its maiden biotechnology conference at the Bio-Resources Development Centre in Odi and assured the agency of the state’s support in advancing research, agricultural productivity and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
According to the governor, Bayelsa’s major challenge is not the absence of resources but the knowledge and technology needed to convert them into economic value.
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“Bayelsa is the place to be. I believe you have made the right choice to begin your maiden conference in Bayelsa State. God has blessed us with enormous natural resources and opportunities,” he said.
He added that while the state has long contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economy through crude oil production, there remains a pressing need to develop other sectors, particularly agriculture and biotechnology.
“We have cassava, oil palm and many other economic crops. However, there is a gap between having these resources and possessing the knowledge to fully utilise them. We believe your agency can help us bridge that gap and achieve sustainable prosperity,” Diri stated.
The governor further emphasized that effective knowledge transfer through the Bio-Resources Development Centre in Odi would enable residents to benefit directly from scientific innovations and technological advancements.
Earlier, the Director-General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, highlighted Bayelsa’s enormous potential in biotechnology-driven development, particularly in fisheries, agriculture and environmental management.
He described the state as uniquely positioned to become a leading producer of high-quality fish and other aquatic resources in West Africa due to its extensive waterways and rich aquatic ecosystem.
According to him, biotechnology offers practical solutions to some of the environmental challenges associated with oil exploration and production while also promoting sustainable management of natural resources.
“Bayelsa occupies a unique position in Nigeria’s development landscape. It is blessed with vast aquatic resources, extensive mangrove ecosystems, fertile agricultural land, rich biodiversity and strategic access to the Atlantic coastline,” Mustapha said.
He stressed that the future of economic growth lies in knowledge-driven economies that leverage biological resources, innovation and technology rather than relying solely on extractive industries.
Mustapha also disclosed that the agency was prepared to collaborate with the state government and private sector stakeholders to develop improved crop varieties that are disease-resistant, flood-tolerant and capable of delivering higher yields.
The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen Bayelsa’s bioeconomy agenda, enhance food security, create employment opportunities and promote sustainable economic development across the state.
