Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has stressed the need to allow the establishment of functional state-owned police across Nigeria.

Diri spoke during the gala night to wrap up the 2022 Ijaw Diaspora Convention in Newark, New Jersey State in the United States of America. He said the operations of state police would end the state of insecurity in the country.

In a statement yesterday by his Director, New Media, Dr. Kola Oredipe, the governor insisted on the restructuring of Nigeria and devolution of powers to the states.

He said the Federal Government should respect the true dictates of a federal system of government that is fashioned after the US democratic system where equity, fairness and justice remain the order of the day.

Diri said: “The security challenges are there in Nigeria and that is why some of us are asking for the restructuring of Nigeria. There has to be devolution of powers to the states.”

He noted that the current administration in Bayelsa State was investing massively in security to create enabling environment for investments to thrive.

The governor informed the Ijaw Diaspora about development in Bayelsa State, including the ongoing construction of the three senatorial roads, the news that was received with excitement.

He added: “Through the three senatorial roads, we are connecting many riverine communities by roads. We also want to ensure that all our local government headquarters hitherto not linked by road are connected.

He urged the Ijaws in the diaspora to ensure they work closely with the national executive of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and add their voices to trending national debates and promotion of the culture of the fourth largest ethnic group in the country.