GOVERNOR DICKSON: SET TO IMPROVE THE STATE FINANCIAL STATUS

Government says it is uncomfortable with the over bloated wage bill of the state. Also, it is at a loss to understand why a small population of this state could attract a huge wage of six billion naira monthly. Governor Seriake stated this during a meeting he held with the eight local government chairmen in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Governor pointed out that the state cannot afford to service an over bloated workforce, noting that this has constituted a major impediment to government’s capacity for effective service delivery. Consequently, he solicited the co-operation and support of the local government chairmen to reverse the trend.

 The State Chief Executive also requested the chairmen to make available their budgetary provisions to the state government as well as ensure that every fund released is tied to a specific project.

The Governor who explained that the arrangement was to create synergy in the over-all development of the state said the office of the Deputy Governor will be in charge of the supervision of the activities of local government chairmen.

Chief Dickson pointed out that the days of financial recklessness were over, stressing that henceforth, funds accruing to local government council will not suffer undue interference by the state government. He urged the chairmen to ensure prudence in financial management to enable them improve on the quality of lives of the people as they are closest to the people at the grassroots.   

. NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION RECALL GOV. DOCKSON’S CAMPAIGN PROMISE.

The State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to Governor Seriake Dickson to keep to faith with his campaign of providing good governance to the people of the state. Chairman of the State NMA, Dr. Seiyefa Brisibe made the appeal in news briefing in Yenagoa. He commended the Governor for declaring a state of emergency on education and urged that similar gesture should be extended to the health and infrastructural development in the state.

 He described the health sector in the state as near comatose evidenced by the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, poor health infrastructure and low uptake of health services.

The NMA Chairman on behalf of all medical practitioners congratulated the state governor and deputy on their swearing-in. According to him, the NMA is impressed with appointment made by the governor particularly the honorary Special Advisers and the Financial Management Review Committee.

 The NMA chairman also expressed the body’s preparedness to work with the new administration to improve the health status and poor health indices of Bayelsa.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN ASSURES EXPLOSION VICTIMS OF UTMOST COMPENSATION

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has assured the eight communities affected by  the recent Chevron gas facility explosion which occurred on the 16^th, day of January 2012, causing pollution in the eight communities, that they would get relief materials and compensation. He gave the assurance when he visited Bayelsa State for an aerial inspection of the affected areas.
The communities are Ezefu I, Ezefu II, Koloama I, Koloama II, Furoupa, Fish Town, Sangana, and Ekeni with a combined population of about 30,000 people.
The President was accompanied by some government officials, including the ministers of Petroleum Resources, Niger Delta Affairs and Environment, Deziani Alison-Maduekwe, Godsday Orubebe and Hadiza Mailafia.

After the inspection, the President assured the people that something was being done to remedy the situation, and also commended them for their patience. President Goodluck stated that the Federal Government would partner the state and Chevron to provide the relief materials.
He further stated: "In terms of other demands that have been documented, I noticed that many issues have been raised and these are issues we are quite conversant with.
"I can assure you that we will look into it, the company, the state and the Federal Government will continue to address them."

The President told the people, who presented a joint address, that "communities impacted must have some relief, some compensation. “That is obvious but the quantum will depend on studies that have been carried out by the company and the Federal Government.

"On my own part, I  re-assure you that the Federal Government is committed to the issues bordering on environmental management, from the Niger Delta to the North where we have desert encroachment."
The President noted that the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) would provide some of the relief materials.

Speaking on the lack of employment for the oil bearing communities by oil companies operating in the area, President Jonathan observed that even when it was necessary for the companies to employ, they could only do so where there were qualified applicants and also bearing in mind that they could not over employ.

GOVERNOR DICKSON PLEDGED NON-INTERFERENCE IN STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY'S FUNCTION.

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson gave assurance while speaking during a courtesy visit by the new leadership of the State House of Assembly, who had come to introduce themselves to the Governor, that the executive arm of government will never interfere in the performance of their legislative functions. Noting that the relationship between the legislature and executive arms of government will be defined expressly by non-interference, Chief Dickson assured the leadership of the State Assembly of his readiness to collaborate with them.

The Governor said as a former law-maker he respects the principle of separation of powers and the independence of the legislature, pointing out that he was looking forward to a healthy and cordial working relationship with the legislative arm of government. Describing the state law makers as “very mature”, the Governor charged them to feel free to carry out their over sight functions without let or hindrance, because this will help to keep appointed officials in check.

Governor Dickson used the opportunity to invite the members of the House to the new Bayelsa project that is built on accountability, transparency and service delivery. The Governor commended them for the rancor-free manner in which they conducted the election that brought about the new leadership, just as he congratulated them for their well-deserved victory.

Speaking earlier, the new Speaker Mr. Konbowei Benson, lauded the Governor for not interfering in the process that led to the enthronement of the new leadership of the House. He also pledged to work together with the executive arm of government to ensure the success of the present administration.

Konbowei Benson, who represents Southern Ijaw Constituency IV is from Korokorosei community.
He holds a Master degree in Public Administration, and until his elevation to the position of Speaker, he was chairman, House Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas.

SWEARING-IN OF THE NEW SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND FIVE NEW SPECIAL ADVISERS

Following the reduction of overhead allocation for Government House services and plugging of loopholes, Government announced that it has saved about One Billion Naira in the first ten days of this administration. During the swearing-in of the new Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmund Allison-Oguru and five new Special Advisers, Chief Dickson decried what he called ”Over bloated allocation for Government House” said he has ordered a reduction in the cost of governance.

The Governor emphasized the need for efficient service delivery and the restoration of the state to its past glory. He also called on youths to exercise patience with the present administration as efforts are being put in place for youth training, empowerment and rehabilitation.

The State Chief Executive while welcoming the SSG, Prof. Allison Oguru on board the restoration administration, urged him to justify the confidence reposed in him as his appointment was based on his track record of credibility, integrity and outstanding performance in the academia. While noting that the task ahead was herculean one, Chief Dickson charged the five new Special Advisers to be effective partners of his administration in other to reposition the state. He also stated that he would monitor their performances closely to ensure success.

Earlier, the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kate Abiri, assisted by the Chief Register, Mr. Eneikemimi Uzaka administered the oaths of office and allegiance on Pro. Edmund Allison-Oguru and five Special Advisers.

GOVERNOR DICKSON APPOINTS FIVE SPECIAL ADVISERS

Governor  Seriake Dickson has approved the appointment of five new special advisers. Chief Fred Agbedi, a former Director General of the Dickson campaign organization has been slated for Special Adviser on Political Matters, Stephen Diver, as Special Adviser on Inter-Party Relations maintains same portfolio and Ruby Benjamin, Special Adviser Women Mobilization. Others include Lt. Col. Bernard Kenibai (rtd), Special Adviser on Security Matters and Kaiser Ogoriba as Special Adviser, Youth Empowerment, Training and Rehabilitation. A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Public Affair, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson said the swearing in of the newly appointed Special Advisers and Secretary to the State Government, Prof Edmund-Allison Oguru would hold on Friday at the Government House Banquet Hall. The governor also appointed Mr. Charles Tambou, a seasoned journalist who had served as the Editor-in-Chief of Tide and defunct Sunray Newspapers, at different times as the General Manager of State.

CHEVRON TO SEND RELIEF MATERIALS TO COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE GAS EXPLOSION

 A two-point resolution has been passed by the State House of Assembly calling on the Federal Government and Chevron Nigeria Limited to immediately send relief materials to all communities affected by the recent gas explosion at Kolokuma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Also the House directed that a medical team be dispatched to attend to the healthcare need of the people. Following the urgency of the issue, Chevron was also asked to immediately put-out the fire and stop any leakages arising from the explosion and pay adequate compensation to the affected communities.

A representative of Southern Ijaw Constituency one, Mr. Kuroakegha Dorgu regretted that over a month after the gas explosion, the fire is still raging. He noted that even though over forty communities were directly impacted, Chevron sent relief materials to only eight communities, stressing that the people out of desperation are resorting to eating and dead contaminated fishes. Members were unanimous in their condemnation of the activities of oil multi-nationals operating operating in the state who shy away from their social responsibilities while paying huge taxes to other states.

The House also expressed regret that the extant laws of the country has imposed serious limitations on State Assemblies from legislating on such matters which falls under the exclusive legislative list, adding that such laws had to be amended to give states, which bear the brunt of the operations of these companies, the right to control their activities.