GOV DICKSON TASKS RELIGIOUS BODIES ON NATION’S SECURITY

16/03/2014

As the nation prepares for the conduct of the 2015 general elections, the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Sunday tasked the various religious bodies in the Country on the nation’s security and condemned the terrorist acts of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in the Northern part of the country.

 Speaking at the grand finale of a 3-day revival service with the theme; Go up higher, organized by the Deeper Life Ministry, which had in attendance its general superintendent, Pastor William Kumuyi, Dr. (Mrs.) Rachel Dickson, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson, the Governor said the call became imperative in view of the recent killing of school children in Yobe State.

 Noting the contributions of the Church to the growth of the society, Hon. Dickson expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with the Ministry in making the revival service an annual event. This is just as he approved the construction of the Church camp link road in the Okutukutu area of the Yenagoa metropolis.

 The world, according to the Governor, is passing through troubling times in its history and the earnest prayer of the Church would go a long way in complementing efforts at curbing terrorism. “Our nation is going through very trying times. I know that you are always praying for us your children but I will like to, on behalf of our people and well-meaning Nigerians and the citizens of our World, urge you to pray for us because we live in a time where man has become man’s worst enemy. “We live at a time brothers turn against their own brothers in our Country and so many parts of the globe; we live in a time of unprecedented insecurity, brutality and cruelty by man against his fellow man. Just some few days ago, innocent children sleeping in their dormitories were invaded and slaughtered like rams. Even animals are slaughtered with some dignity and compassion. Since then till now, only God knows how many innocent souls are taken by agents of the devil.” Attributing the prevailing peace and security in Bayelsa to effective cooperation between the Government, security agencies and the people of the State, Governor Dickson stressed the need for Christians not to rest on the oars as evil forces never relent in their sinister activities. He cautioned the youths to shun criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other related vices, even as he called on leaders to strive at all times to positively affect the lives of those they lead. According to him, “here in Bayelsa, I can report to you that with the help of our brothers and sisters, this state has witnessed unprecedented peace and security in the past two years, since we came in. I will like to use this opportunity to caution our youths to desist from all the kind of things that are giving them, our people and country a bad name: cultism, kidnapping and all the other associated crimes.” In his sermon titled; Go Up Higher, the General Superintendent of the Church, Pastor Kumuyi enjoined Christians not to wallow in self-pity but to continue to seek the presence of God and press forward in life. Making reference to biblical Jacob whom God asked to return to Bethel, which he described as a place of divine blessing and protection, Pastor Kumuyi, however, admonished believers to maintain their faith in the Lord to achieve breakthrough. Daniel Iworiso-Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

14/03/2014

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson at the weekend approved the award of N6.1billion contracts at the State owned Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island and charged the Institution on alternative sources of revenue, noting that it’s over N6billion annual recurrent expenditure is not sustainable. The Governor also disclosed that payment of bursary allowances would commence by June this year, attributing the delay to scholarship awards to post graduate students. Speaking during his fact finding visit aimed at having first hand information about the challenges and prospects of the institution, the Governor stressed the need for the institution to prioritize its needs. He also tasked the NDU officials to explore the frontiers of knowledge by developing a robust consultancy department as one of the options of revenue generation to make the university financially autonomous. Describing education, as the “most compelling need of the State, Governor Dickson said the award of N6 billion worth of contracts for the execution of capital projects in the next two months” was to enhance educational advancement of the NDU, describing the contract as “the single most-biggest investment that has been made in so many years.” Underscoring the need for the downward review of the institution’s recurrent expenditure of N500m monthly, the Governor noted that the inspection of projects and facilities at the university has given him an insight into the challenges and prospects of the educational facility. According to him, “This University is the only state-owned university that has a recurrent expenditure that is higher than any other state university. Available records show that your Government spends close to N500 million every month on payment of salaries and sundry entitlements. Now, I have told your Vice Chancellor and the Governing Council that that is not sustainable. “What is the students population for which the State Government is spending N6 billion every year, that is outside investments on infrastructure. I am aware that the responsibility entrusted on me at this point in our history to bring about restoration means that we must take decisions that are right and fair even when they are sometimes unpleasant. “I like to appeal to your sense of commitment and patriotism on this journey. I am charging the university authorities working with our team to re-order your priorities, so that we can have some funds for capital development, because we want this university to be one of the best in Nigeria and the world.” Soliciting the cooperation of members of the NDU to take the university to the next level, the Governor said education was the topmost priority of his administration beyond infrastructural development as any investment made in manpower development was an enduring one. On encroachment on the university’s land, he advised private developers to steer clear of the area, noting that those who have already encroached would be evicted. He however directed the university’s officials to liaise with Government’s team to ensure the acquisition of completed structures and compensation paid to the owners. Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Humphrey Ogoni, said the university was embarking on some projects geared towards generating revenue, which include; water project, consultancy services, livestock farming among others. Daniel Iworiso-Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

FACT FINDING VISIT TO STATE VARSITY; DICKSON DIRECTS INSTITUTION TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF REVENUE, AWARDS N6.1B CONTRACTS

14/03/2014 FACT FINDING VISIT TO STATE VARSITY; DICKSON DIRECTS INSTITUTION TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF REVENUE, AWARDS N6.1B CONTRACTS Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson at the weekend approved the award of N6.1billion contracts at the State owned Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island and charged the Institution on alternative sources of revenue, noting that it’s over N6billion annual recurrent expenditure is not sustainable. The Governor also disclosed that payment of bursary allowances would commence by June this year, attributing the delay to scholarship awards to post graduate students. Speaking during his fact finding visit aimed at having first hand information about the challenges and prospects of the institution, the Governor stressed the need for the institution to prioritize its needs. He also tasked the NDU officials to explore the frontiers of knowledge by developing a robust consultancy department as one of the options of revenue generation to make the university financially autonomous. Describing education, as the “most compelling need of the State, Governor Dickson said the award of N6 billion worth of contracts for the execution of capital projects in the next two months” was to enhance educational advancement of the NDU, describing the contract as “the single most-biggest investment that has been made in so many years.” Underscoring the need for the downward review of the institution’s recurrent expenditure of N500m monthly, the Governor noted that the inspection of projects and facilities at the university has given him an insight into the challenges and prospects of the educational facility. According to him, “This University is the only state-owned university that has a recurrent expenditure that is higher than any other state university. Available records show that your Government spends close to N500 million every month on payment of salaries and sundry entitlements. Now, I have told your Vice Chancellor and the Governing Council that that is not sustainable. “What is the students population for which the State Government is spending N6 billion every year, that is outside investments on infrastructure. I am aware that the responsibility entrusted on me at this point in our history to bring about restoration means that we must take decisions that are right and fair even when they are sometimes unpleasant. “I like to appeal to your sense of commitment and patriotism on this journey. I am charging the university authorities working with our team to re-order your priorities, so that we can have some funds for capital development, because we want this university to be one of the best in Nigeria and the world.” Soliciting the cooperation of members of the NDU to take the university to the next level, the Governor said education was the topmost priority of his administration beyond infrastructural development as any investment made in manpower development was an enduring one. On encroachment on the university’s land, he advised private developers to steer clear of the area, noting that those who have already encroached would be evicted. He however directed the university’s officials to liaise with Government’s team to ensure the acquisition of completed structures and compensation paid to the owners. Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Humphrey Ogoni, said the university was embarking on some projects geared towards generating revenue, which include; water project, consultancy services, livestock farming among others. Daniel Iworiso-Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

BAYELSA GOVT DENIES FILING SUIT AGAINST EFCC

10/03/2014 The attention of the Bayelsa State Government has been drawn to a publication in some sections of the media entitled “Bayelsa asks EFCC to remit N1.4bn from Alamieyeseigha” The said reports quoted one Mr. George Uboh, Chief Executive of Panic Alert Security System, reportedly acting on the mandate of the Bayelsa State Government, wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to remit the twin sums N1.4 billion and 1.3 million USD recovered from a former Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. The Bayelsa State Government denies the reports and stated categorically clear that, it did not mandate any individual or firm to act on its behalf to request or institute any suit against the EFCC. A Government statement frowned at the reports and called on the EFCC and the general public to disregard the publications. The statement also urged journalists to always clarify issues, especially as sensitive as this, before going to press. Daniel Iworiso-Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

GOV DICKSON CALLS FOR BELT TIGHTENING IN THE FACE OF TERRIBLE DECLINE IN INFLOW FROM FEDERATION ACCOUNT

10/03/2014

As a result of the shortfall in federal revenue allocation to States, the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson has called on the people of the State to brace up to the harsh economic reality of the times, noting that the allocation in the past months to the State has nosedived by about N5 billion. According to a Government House statement, this situation has prompted many States to cut salaries of workers in their States by half, while many others cannot meet their salary obligation to civil servants and even to contractors. Cross River and Benue States are among States in the Federation that have taken steps to cut salaries by half owing to the grim economic downturn. The statement however, noted that, in these States nobody is complaining or seen taking to the streets in protest because they appreciate the times that they are in and are willing to support their respective state governments to weather the difficult times. The Government House statement read in part “Regrettably here in Bayelsa State should such a drastic measure be taken some unscrupulous and disgruntled politicians would have cashed in on it to incite the workforce and the people to stage a mass street protest against the government and in the process use it as a political platform to heap all manner of insults and name calling on the government of the day. It explained that, like every other state, Bayelsa is also experiencing a terrible shortfall in its inflows, stressing that necessary measures would be put in place to avoid a situation where it will impact seriously on the economy of the State. According to the statement, it is for this reason that, the Dickson-led government has always exercised maximum prudence, particularly in granting approvals that are recurrent in nature. In view of this development, the Governor has ordered the Commissioner of Finance and his team to expeditiously work out modalities to cut down on the State wage bills such as remunerations approved for parastatals and travel allowances for government functionaries including the Governor. Governor Dickson, however instructed that it should be done in such a way that the State should be able to cope with the stress that has been induced by the reduction in its inflows. While calling on Bayelsans to show understanding by bracing up to the current economic realities, Hon.Dickson said as a leader of the Restoration government, he will be failing in his duties, by hiding the truth from the people and not pointing out the dangers. “I have a duty as your Governor to explain the reality of our current economic situation. It will interest you to note that from when I took the oath of office till now, our monthly revenue has dropped by over N5 billion. So, if we are not careful to build alternative revenue sources, we will get to a point where the Federal revenue will not be enough to enable us meet our minimum obligation as a State, particularly bearing in mind the very high wage bill that we have in this State that is higher than that of any other state in this country. Therefore, I have directed that approvals beginning with Government House expenditures should be further reduced by as much as 50 percent in the light of the current realities. There is every need for us to review most of our expenditure patterns and let it be said when that day comes that, there was a Governor who saw that possibility and worked hard to avert it.” Daniel Iworiso-Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

BAYELSA GOVT, OPS PARLEY ON N10BN SMES TRUST FUND, AS DICKSON ROLES OUT ECONOMIC PLANS

10/03/2014

Bayelsa state Government in collaboration with the Organized Private Sector, (0PS) at the weekend in Lagos mapped out economic plans aimed at encouraging Small and medium scale entrepreneurs through the raising of N10bn Trust Fund. Presenting the economic blueprint of his administration at the pre-event luncheon with business stakeholders ahead of the 20 th International Conference on Small and Medium Enterprises scheduled to hold in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson said this has became imperative noting the recent economic downturn in the country. The State government, according to the Governor will source for 40 percent of the fund while the Organized Private Sector would provide the remaining 60 percent. Stressing the need for the promotion of the SMEs, Hon. Dickson said the recent economic depression is an eye opener, adding that some States of the federation are presently finding it difficult to meet their financial obligations. Hon. Dickson said his administration has foreseen this situation that is why it always harped on diversification of the economy from the oil and gas sector. Allaying fears over management of the fund, the Governor disclosed that it would be managed by the OPS, adding that, “ I have encouraged the land and property owners in the State to apply for Certificate of Occupancy. This will enable them to access this fund, which will be managed by the financial institutions. “We are not here to raise fund. I am not known for that, rather we are here as Government to partner with the members of the Organized Private Sector on how to raise this amount. We have our own role to play as Government. Out of this amount, we will contribute 40 percent while the OPS will source for 60 percent even more. “The beneficiaries, especially the title holders after presentation of the C of O will have the opportunity to access this fund after a thorough screening. Calling for the active participation of local and foreign investors in the economic development of the State, the Governor urged the investors to avail themselves of the business opportunities that abound in the State. He said the State is endowed with natural resources that if properly harnessed is enough to turn the economy of the entire Country around. “We are doing a lot of urban regeneration. Already we have surveyed 20,000 hectares of land for the proposed new Yenagoa city which a one stop entertainment and residential area and in the next two months, the Castle hotel will be opened to the public. Also work is in progress on the Golf Estate and the Airport. When these projects are completed it will open a vista of opportunities for the people in the State. Stressing the need for partnership, the Governor explained that, investors could partner with the Government in the areas of agriculture and aqua culture, tourism, waste management, housing and the development of a deep seaport at Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the State. Explaining further on the Deep seaport, the Governor said as part of its sensitization programmes, his administration would organize a special road show within and outside the Country on the project. Earlier in his address, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SMEs, Dr. Ebiekure Eradiri told the investors to avail themselves of the business opportunities that abound in the State. He disclosed that all the Local Government Areas of the State have business potentials that can be tapped into. Dr. Eradiri stated that most of the Bayelsa State products especially oil palm are gaining ground in markets nationwide. He said the Bayelsa SMEs brand line has been developed to further promote its products such as agro allied products, seafood, textile, luxury goods and engineering, (fabrication). In his goodwill message, Dr. Peter Bamkole of the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, commended the one Local Government, one product initiative of the administration which, he noted keys into the NADEP programme of the Federal Government. He advised the State Government to step up its economic policy in developing value added chain of its products. Speaking on behalf of the members of the OPS, the President of Ijaw Professionals Association, Denzel Ketebe lauded the economic policy of the present administration and pledged the support of members of the OPS in the realization of its lofty objectives, especially making the State to become Dubai of Africa. Daniel Iworiso-Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State