Gov. Dickson
As the nation warms up for the conduct of general elections in 2015, the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson has warned youths against being used as canon folders to forment trouble by selfish politicians, advising them to take education seriously with a view to increasing their capacities in self development.
Speaking during a state-wide thank you tour to Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Hon. Dickson said the era of bloodletting and political brigandage were passed, noting that, the present peaceful atmosphere and various youth empowerment programmes put in place by the present administration are intended to impact positively on them.
Warning the political class against playing politics with the lives of the people, especially youths, Hon. Dickson said, it was high time people learnt to play politics of development and restoration.
According to him,’ any politician who wants to use you to perpetrate political violence and hooliganism because his/her small ambition let him do so by setting you up in businesses, so that you can live a responsible life even after politics’.
He commended the people of the area for their support, especially in cooperating with Government to maintain peace and security and assured them of Government’s assistance in providing more basic amenities to increase the quality of lives in the area.
Presenting a cheque of N30m empowerment fund to the women in the area, the Governor said the gesture is aimed at making the women in the State to be self reliant.
Aside, the N30m revolving loan, the entire women in the State as disclosed by the Governor would benefit from the N370m Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs) grant.
He, therefore, called on the beneficiaries to take advantage of the soft loans provided by the Government, adding that aside making them to be self reliant, it will boost the economic profile of the State.
Hon. Dickson who noted that cooperatives societies would be formed to create skills for the youths, urged them to explore and tap the natural resources as well as other opportunities that abound in the State since Government alone cannot provide employment for all.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Mr. Iselema Gbaranbiri said his council had been complementing the development efforts of the State Government through the provision of an ultra modern market, improved power supply, ICT centre and distribution of education materials.
Commending the Governor for his exemplary leadership, he said the people have seen in him, the fulfillment of the Ijaw struggle given the developmental strides of his administration in less than two years in office.
Last Tuesday, the Bayelsa State Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to zero tolerance for crime and criminality, warning the few criminal elements including cultists, armed robbers, kidnappers and perpetrators of other related vices in the State to desist from such acts or incur the wrath of the law.
Condemning the resurgence of kidnapping in the Eastern senatorial district of the State during his ‘Thank You’ tour visit to the Yenagoa Local Government area of the State, Hon. Dickson said the State is no longer a haven of criminals.
Describing a crime free society as panacea to economic growth, Hon. Dickson bemoaned the security situation in the State prior to his assumption of office barely two years ago.
According to him, “investors were being scared of investing in the State as a result of the alarming crime rate then but today people can sleep with their two eyes closed as necessary security measures are being put in place by the present administration.
“Bayelsa is being adjudged as one of the most peaceful States in the country. Local and foreign investors have expressed willingness to partner with the State at ensuring rapid development of our Local economy. The State is not ready to be drawn back by criminal elements, that is why I am calling on the landlords to work closely with the security agencies in fishing out the few criminal elements left in the State. We want to attract people to the State. We want them to come and do business with us and the only way this can be done is through the creation of enabling environment. We have a robust security agenda as you all know. So continue to talk your friends, brothers and sisters and all those you have as tenants. The few cultists and criminals that are left, warn them that Yenagoa will no longer be haven for criminals. If you are a cultist and you don’t want to repent, leave Yenagoa. If you are an armed robber, kidnapper or a criminal of any description, Bayelsa is not a place for you to be.”
On infrastructural development, the Governor said his administration would consolidate on the gains of 2013 by constructing additional 15 internal roads in 2014.
However, he called for the understanding of the people as more structures would be pulled down in order to pave way for a befitting State capital.
He said necessary arrangements have been put in place at ensuring prompt payment of compensation to owners of the affected structures, warning the people against playing politics with the ongoing developmental strides in the State.
Governor Dickson, who decried comments being made concerning demolition of structures cautioned people not to politicize Government’s developmental efforts pointing out that his personal residence was one of the first properties pulled down in the State capital.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government, Hon. Chubby Ben-Walson praised Governor Dickson for transforming the State capital and carrying the people of the area along in the scheme of things.
Consequently, he announced the decision of stakeholders of the area endorsing the Governor for a second term in office and highlighted some of the achievements of the council to include award of projects in fifteen wards with contractors fully mobilized to sites.
Governor Dickson, who decried comments being made concerning demolition of structures cautioned people not to politicize government’s developmental efforts as his personal residence was one of the first properties pulled down in the state capital.
At the event, N45 million was disbursed for the three Rural Development Areas in Yenagoa Local Government while N370 million Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was provided for women empowerment as grant.
In attendance were; the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, (retd), members of the National and State Assemblies, top government functionaries, captains of industry, renowned poet, Dr Gabriel Okara and host of others.
Meanwhile, Governor Dickson has promised that hard times await oil thieves and vandals of petroleum products pipelines in Bayelsa State warning the perpetrators to desist from the unwholesome practice or face dire consequences as from 2014.
This is just as he presented a cheque of N105m to women in seven Rural Development Authorities, (RDAs) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking at Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area during his thank you tour to the area, Chief Dickson said Government was disturbed by the alarming rate of oil theft and its effects on the State and Nation’s economy, stressing that stringent measures would be taken to stop it.
Accompanied by the first civilian Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, (rtd), top Government functionaries, captains of industry and host of others, Hon. Dickson disclosed that necessary security apparatus is being put in place to curtail the act.
According to him, a crack taskforce will be set up to clamp down on the perpetrators of the criminal acts, warning that anybody caught in the act will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Calling for the support of the people in the area at ensuring security of lives and property, the Governor disclosed that his administration has invested so much in security as it is the only way to attract local and foreign investors to the State.
Thanking the people for their support during and after his election in 2012 as Governor of the state, he said that he would not renege on his promise, especially the completion of Yenagoa-Oporoma road.
“When I came here in 2012 to seek for your support during our campaign, I made promises; some have been fulfilled while we are still working on some. I am re-assuring you that all the promises made would be kept. Ours is a listening Government. Already, we are working on the Yenagoa-Oporoma road; Clearing of that road has got to Angiama while sand-filling has reached Aguobiri which is close to Oporoma. As you know, we are also working on the general hospital and model secondary school projects and several others here in Oporoma and other parts of Southern Ijaw”
The Governor, who was conferred with a traditional title of Ibefiniowei 1of Southern Ijaw said aside his administration’s huge investment on infrastructures, other sectors of the economy including health, education are being given due attention.
In his goodwill message, the first civilian Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha described the Thank you tour embarked upon by the Governor as the first of its kind in the annals of the State.
Making allusion to the biblical ten lepers, Chief Alamieyeseigha said Governor’s decision would further endear him to the people of the State.
Speaking in the same vein, a first class traditional ruler in the State, King Joshua Igbugburu said the conferment of chieftaincy title on the Governor is a confirmation of the people’s love and support for his administration.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Konbowei Benson said the development strides of the Governor in the area and the entire State has vindicated his supporters and assured him of the people continued support.
The governor also used the opportunity of the visit to inspect some ongoing projects in the area including the general hospital, Governor’s lodge and the model secondary school at Oporoma.
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