KUKU LAUDS SYLVA ON AMNESTY

Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Matters, Mr. Kingsley Kuku has given Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva a pat on the back for his contributions to the success of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Commending Governor Sylva as the initiator of the amnesty programme, the Special Adviser said “the story of Nigeria’s home-grown amnesty cannot be complete without a mention of the name of the Bayelsa State Governor, because it he, who sold the idea to our late President, Umar Yar ‘Adua”.

He said following the success of the disarmament story in Bayelsa, Chief Sylva suggested presidential amnesty as the panacea to the problem of insecurity in the Niger Delta and fortunately, late President Yar ‘Adua bought the idea.

Mr. Kuku also lauded late President Musa Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as well as other key players for their doggedness at ensuring the success of the programme.

The Presidential Adviser highlighted the major challenges facing the amnesty programme which include procurement of visas for ex-militants and the issue of more batches of ex-militants springing up on a daily basis.

Mr. Kuku expressed worry that if such ex-militant groups continue to emerge after the closure of enrolment, it could scuttle the amnesty programme. Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, Mr. Kingsley Kuku enumerated the achievements made so far by the amnesty programme.

He said 20,192 ex-militants have been fully demobilized and the programme has now moved to the phase of re-integration.

Mr. Kuku said 3,482 of them have been placed in various skills acquisition centres and receiving training within the country while 5,618 were being processed for placement in the next few months.

The Special Adviser also gave a breakdown of the quota for placement of ex-militants for training in various countries. The countries are South Africa (933),   Malaysia (172), Russia (60) and Benin Republic 42. Others are Ghana 192, Sir Lanka (34) U.S.A. (56), India (65) and Poland 21.

According to Mr. Kuku, the ex-militants were under-going training in the areas of pipeline welding, under-water welding, ocean diving, crane operation and oil drilling among others.

While stating that some of the ex-militants were also being trained in the oil and gas industry, the Special Adviser urged the companies to train them in their own   areas of need so that at the end of their programme they can be employed by the multinational oil companies.

Mr. Kuku said the programme has a total of 26,358 ex-militants.

While responding, Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre  said all those putting pressure on the federal government to accept them as part of the amnesty programme, after failing to take advantage of the amnesty window, should be treated as criminals.

The Governor noted that if the federal government accepts any more militants when the window had closed, the problem would become an endless cycle as more people will keep coming, and assured the Presidential Adviser that the state government would collaborate with the Amnesty Office in tackling the problem.

Chief Sylva advocated the establishment of more skills acquisition institutions and the strengthening of existing ones in the country in line with international standards for the training of the youths of the country.

Governor Sylva emphasized the need to upgrade the country’s training facilities especially at this period when the amnesty programme was on-going, adding that this would reverse the trend of sending youths abroad for training.

While noting that the country requires a lot of artisans to build a solid foundation for industrial growth, the Governor expressed government’s preparedness to collaborate with the federal government through the amnesty programme to develop the two skills acquisition centres in the state located at Elebele in Ogbia and Asuama in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area towards making them world class institutions.

According to Chief Sylva, the skills acquisition centre at Elebele has a capacity to train 1000 youths.

The State Chief Executive, who observed that lack of education and poor training facilities were mainly responsible for youth restiveness and insecurity, said there was an urgent need to train the youths to become self-reliant since government alone cannot create employment for all.

While expressing government’s support towards the success of the amnesty programme, Chief Sylva noted that at the time amnesty was granted, government undertook a lot of advocacy to get the ex-militants to accept the offer but some were skeptical about the programme.

The Governor, who said he was gratified that the federal government accepted his humble suggestion on amnesty, remarked that he was happy the programme has become a huge success story and attributed its success to the fact that the programme was being managed by those who truly understand the problem of the Niger Delta.

Chris Odi

For: Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

KOLOKUMA/OPOKUMA ENDORSE GOV. SYLVA FOR 2ND TERM

As Governor Timipre Sylva prepares for next year’s governorship election in the state, the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area have thrown their weight  behind his candidacy.

Speaking on behalf of the people during a solidarity visit to the Governor in Government House, Yenagoa, the Monarch of Kolokuma kingdom, King Onya Mozi-Agara said they had come to express appreciation for all the good things the Governor has done for them and to declare their unalloyed support.

King Agara, who lauded Chief Sylva for siting the multi-million naira craft centre at Asuama and the provision of transformers to the communities, said in terms of appointment, the local government had never had it so good.

The Monarch also gave him a pat on the back for linking Odi town to the national grid but said the electrification project is yet to be formally switched on.

King Agara drew the Governor’s attention to the fact that Igbedi and Kaiama communities do not have roads and light while Sampou had no electricity and urged him to assist.

Responding, Governor Sylva said contract for the road leading to the Monarch’s palace has been awarded but was awaiting the dry season.

He assured that government would gradually tackle all the issues of roads and electricity in the area.

Chief Sylva thanked the chiefs and elders for the solidarity visit, saying the commendations would spur him to do more for them and other local government areas.

He lauded the people for their support, pointing out that they should be more steadfast now that the governorship election was fast approaching.

Paramount rulers of all the communities in the local government area were in attendance.

 

Chris Odi

For: Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

THE SUCCESS OF THE AMNESTY PROGRAMME

Governor Timipre Sylva stated that any group of Ex-militants who failed to accept the amnesty offered by the Federal Government at the time of its proclamation would henceforth be treated as criminals. He further expressed government’s willingness to collaborate with the presidency to address the problem. Government has advocated the development of skills acquisition institutions in the country in line with International Standards. Governor Sylva stated that the skill acquisition centre at Elebeli has the capacity to train one thousand youths. 20,192 ex-militants have been fully demobilized and moved to the phase of re-integration, 3482 of them have been placed in various skills acquisition centers and receiving formal education within the country, while 5,618 are being processed for placement. The Speaker Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters Mr. Kingsley Kuku, gave a breakdown of the quota for placement of ex-militants  for training in various centers  as: South Africa 933, Malaysia 172, Russia 64 and Benin Republic 42. Others are, Ghana 197, Sri Lanka 34, USA 56, India 65 and Poland 21. Governor Sylva expressed joy that the idea of amnesty conceived by his administration has become successful.  

COURTESY VISIT TO THE HONOURABLE COMMISIONER FOR SPORTS BY FACE BOOK FRIENDS OF GOVERNOR SYLVA

The ESCOS of the Face Book friends of the Bayelsa State Governor Chief Timipre Sylva together with the SSA New Media and Social Networking, Miss Oyanbo Peace Owei, paid a courtesy visit to the Honorable Commissioner for Sports, Okpukiri Jones Ere.The SSA new media talked about the importance of the internet to governance, as it makes it easier for the people to get informed about the activities of the government.The Face Book Friends of the Governor Sylva thanked the Hon. Commissioner for meeting with them and also promised to work together with his ministry so as to keep Bayelsans informed about the activities of the sports ministry.The Honorable Commissioner thanked the Face Book group for lifting the burden of answering peoples questions about his ministry via Face book. H e also expressed appreciation to the Governor Chief Timipre Sylva for the approval of various projects in the sports sector such as ; The reconstruction of the states swimming pool, the reconstruction of the states wrestling gym and the reconstruction  of tattered tracks on the field.

KOLOKUMA/OPOKUMA L.G.A.DECLARES THEIR SUPPORT FOR SYLVA’S CANDIDACY

As Governor Timipre Sylva prepares for the  2012 governorship elections, the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area has declared their full support for his course. During a solidarity visit to the Governor in Government House Yenagoa, they made  known their weight behind his candidacy. King Onya Mozi- Agara said they had come to express appreciation for the Governor’s good deeds and kind gestures towards them also to declare their support. King Agara lauded the Governor for siting the Multi- Million naira craft centre at Asuama and the provision of transformers to the communities. He noted that in terms of appointment , local government had never had it so good. Speaking on Social Amenities Governor Sylva stated that the contract for the road leading to the Monarch’s palace has been awarded but was waiting for dry season to commence work.  

THANKS GIVING SERVICE FOR BAYELSA STATE EXCO MEMBERS

Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva has charged the people of the state to work with patriotic zeal in their individual callings, if the state must achieve the desired greatness.

Governor Sylva gave the charge during a special dedication and thanksgiving service for the successful swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet, held at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.
Chief Sylva said “rather than arm-chair criticism and engaging in pulling down our leaders, we should all join hands and work hard to attain the Bayelsa of our dream”.

The Governor noted that the church service was not only to express appreciation to God for successfully putting in place a new cabinet, but that it was also a time for sober reflection, a time to ponder on the progress made so far and how to consolidate on it.

Recalling the myriad of challenges his administration was saddled with at inception, Chief Sylva noted that in spite of the difficulties, Bayelsa has made some progress.

The task of governance, he observed, was not an easy one and called on the people to be patient and to show some understanding to enable the present administration translate its vision into concrete reality.

Governor Sylva called for prayers for the state to move forward, noting that government was able to enthrone peace in the state through its partnership with the church, which prayed ceaselessly during the trying period of the state.

In a sermon titled “Ye are servants”, the Chaplain of the King of Glory Chapel, Rev. Canon Billy Ziwari urged members of the newly-constituted cabinet to see their appointment as an opportunity to render selfless service to the people rather than to amass wealth for themselves.

Rev. Canon Ziwari also charged the commissioners to seek the face of the Lord at all times for divine guidance.

He called on the people to work together to promote unity, love and peace in the state and also to cultivate the habit of respecting constituted authority.

Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei read the only Bible lesson at the service.
Special intercessory prayers were also offered for peace in the country as well as for the conduct of peaceful gubernatorial election in the state next year.

Highpoint of the service was the dedication of the members of the state Executive Council to God.

MGT OF SHELL, CHEVRON AND AGIP PAYS A COURTESY VISIT TO COMM. FOR ENVIRONMENT

The Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Chief Robert Enogha has expressed dismay in Oil Companies dealing directly with a few influential persons on matters that affect a community. He made this pronouncement during a courtesy call by the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria Agip Oil Company and Chevron Nigeria Limited in Yenagoa Bayelsa State.
He said that the system where the Ministry becomes mere witness to the signing of global memorandoum of understanding (GMOU) was over and called for a change of attitude.
He concluded that by saying that personnel from the Environment Ministry should be respected and treated like professionals, pointing out that for both parties to partner, they should respect the environmental laws of the land and provide logistics requirement for the ministry to enable its technical staff play effective role of spill inspection, clean ups and other environment issues.
The Commissioner frowned at the poor attitude of oil companies towards the payment of effluent discharge fees, non-involvement of indigenous contractors in clean up exercises as well as non inclusion of ministry staff in capacity building trainings and cautioned that Bayelsa State deserves it's own fair treatment from them.