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.

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

The Permanent Secretary of the state, ministry of Information, Strategy Orientation, Sir Ebiegberi Domo-Spiff has called on the ministries, departments and parastatals in the state to provide the requisite working environment for information officers posted to their organizations for a more effective management and dissemination of information. Sir Domo-Domo Spiff noted that the focus of the new administration of Chief Seriake Dickson is tailored towards diligence, industry and punctuality. He therefore charged information officers to reposition themselves in order to remain relevant.

According to him, their role is to effectively report government programmes and activities in their various place of assignment. The permanent Secretary expressed hope that the new administration will usher in positive changes in government said the ministry is set to improve on its daily production of the news bulletin. He reminded the officers of the need to improve on their communication skills and ensure that reports are sent in daily to newsroom to meet production target.

Speaking on behalf of colleagues, some information officers gave lack the lack of adequate working tools and environment as some of the hitches militating against the effective discharge of their duties.