The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bayelsa State Governor

  • Makarfi: No rift between Jonathan, Dickson

    Makarfi: No rift between Jonathan, Dickson

    The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ahmed Makarfi has dismissed the alleged rift between former President Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

    Makarfi made the clarification on Tuesday while receiving the party’s Executive Committee members of the Bayelsa chapter of the PDP at the party’s Abuja secretariat.

    Recent media reports indicated that the alleged rift between Jonathan and Dickson was threatening the stability of the Bayelsa State chapter of the PDP.

    Makarfi told the Bayelsa delegation that he had discussed the alleged rift with Jonathan and that the former President had assured him that the reports were the handiwork of mischief makers for the purpose of creating crisis in the chapter.

    The party chair warned the leadership of the party in the state against yielding to the antics mischief makers who he said, were out to distabilise the party in the state.

    Makarfi said, “Don’t  allow yourselves to be fragmented by rumours. Your executive has been ratified by the convention and that is final. There is no need to pander to rumour of an impending sack of your executive”.

    The party chairman however admitted that a certain group of people filed a petition against the Bayelsa Governor and the executive committee of the state chapter but that he had dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.

    “Immediately the rumour broke out, the former President called me to dismiss that rumour and he said there was no iota of truth in the said petition against the Bayesla executive”, Makarfi said.

    Speaking earlier, the chairman of the Bayelsa chapter, Mr. Moses Cleopas, described Jonathan as a respected national leader who is held in high esteem by the people of the state.

    “The governor is our leader in the state and the two of them have been relating well. There is no feud between Jonathan and Dickson. I can confirm that. Some people are just envious of the peace in Bayelsa PDP”, Cleopas said.

  • Dickson nominates CPS as commissioner

    Dickson nominates CPS as commissioner

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has sent the name of his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson to the state’s House of Assembly as a commissioner-nominee.

    The governor in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Mr. Kombowei Benson, and read in the floor of the House by the Clerk, asked the lawmakers to consider his request.

    Following unanimous acceptance of the letter, the House asked Iworiso-Markson to appear before it on September 14th for screening.

    He was asked to come along with photocopies of all his relevant credentials for the exercise.

  • Buhari’s new vision will develop Nigeria – Osinbajo

    Buhari’s new vision will develop Nigeria – Osinbajo

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said that the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is promoting a new way of thinking and engagement that will secure the development of the Niger Delta and the entire country.

    The new approach, he said, involves an active and effective collaboration between the government, the private sector and the communities.

    He also assured that the new approach would ensures that the government finishes whatever is started in the region.

    Prof. Osinbajo spoke during a meeting with members of a delegation from Bayelsa State regarding the $3.6B Brass Fertilizer & Petro-Chemical Company that is expected to come on steam soon.

    The delegation which included executives of the company was led by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo lamented that only 12% completion rate was recorded in several of the projects undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission in the past years, while the rest were abandoned.

    According to him, some of the projects were not designed to succeed, but just for some people to make money.

    Stressing that a new way of thinking is emerging, he gave instances of effective collaboration with the private sector, as he recalled the example of the NLNG being effective collaborations.

    “The Buhari administration, this government is committed to finishing whatever we start. At the end of the day, we shall ensure that,” he affirmed, adding that the oil-producing communities have tremendous potentials.

    While commending the Bayelsa State Governor for his proactive efforts, the Acting President commended the collaboration that is ongoing regarding the Brass company.

    He said “This is what we describe as the New Vision: partnership between the Federal Government, the States, the communities and the private sector. This is the new way of thinking that is emerging, the New Vision.”

    In his comments, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu described the idea of the Brass Fertilizer & Petro-Chemical firm as “a game changer that we need to encourage, “

    He said that such ideas have the potential to change the economic model in the Niger Delta.

    The Acting President also received a delegation from the Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria, SEEDAN led by its President Mr. Richard Olafare and the Director-General of the National Agricultural Seed Council, Dr. P.O.Ojo.

    In his remarks, Prof. Osinbajo assured the delegation that the Federal Government would do much more in the area of Agriculture, stressing that fertilizer and seed inputs are vital for the “agricultural revolution” that the Buhari administration is delivering.

    He told members of the association, “your visit and contributions are very important to us. The President has said we must grow what we eat. We must be able to grow everything we eat. This is very important to us, we are very committed to food security. It is important to hear your views as we shape policy.”

  • We spent N50bn in educational sector, says Dickson 

    We spent N50bn in educational sector, says Dickson 

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, Wednesday, said his administration had so far spent about N50bn in the state’s educational sector.

    The governor also signed the Bayelsa State Higher Education Student Loan bill 2017 and the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund bill 2017 passed by the state House of Assembly.

    Dickson said the bills which became law following his assents were aimed at consolidating on the achievements of his administration in the educational sector.

    Signing the bills in the Government House, Yenagoa, the governor‎ said the two bills were critical in providing sustainable development for the state’s education.

    ‎He said the executive bills became necessary because of the urgent need to develop human capacity in the state to secure the future of children and youths.

    He said: “Whereas ‎we have been making critical investment in the last five years in education but it is from today that we will be building on the foundation of sustainability.

    “How all the schools we have built and are building will be sustained, how the legacy of investment in human capacity will be maintained in the years to come”.

    ‎He commended the members of the House of Assembly for their expedient consideration of the bills.

    Dickson said the whooping amount was spent to provide educational infrastructure and decried the previous decay in the sector as a result of the long years of neglect.

    He noted that any serious government must take issues of security and education serious for rapid development.

    He called on all persons, who earn salaries in the state to avail themselves the opportunity of contributing to the education trust fund which‎ is now compulsory by reason of the new law.

    He said: “By the provisions of this law, everyone who is working and earning salary, doing business or involved in contracts in the state is liable to pay the education development levy”.

    The governor also appointed a former Minister of‎ Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun to head the trust fund.

    He pleaded with the organized labour in the state not to allow themselves to be used to unduly politicize the new law adding that anyone desirous of quality education should view it as a welcome development.

    Dickson added that with the new model schools, the ongoing constituency secondary schools, the Ijaw National Academy and other educational interventions, the state was ahead in educational development.

    Earlier before formally presenting the bills for the governor’s assent, the Speaker of the Assembly, Konbowei Benson emphasized ‎that the higher education student loan bill would help indigent students desirous of getting quality education.

    He appreciated the governor for keeping to his words of not playing politics with education and for declaring a state of emergency in the sector.

    He said that the assembly had no problems passing both bills because of their huge importance.

     

  • Ex-President Jonathan backs Dickson’s Peace Committee

    Ex-President Jonathan backs Dickson’s Peace Committee

    …Insists political solution best option to end PDP crisis

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Saturday, threw his weight behind the Governor Seriake Dickson-led Peace and Reconciliation Committee, insisting that a political solution remained the best option to resolving ongoing crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Receiving the governor and members of his committee in his country home at Otuoke, Ogbia local government area, Bayelsa State, Jonathan urged the contending parties to embrace negotiations as a way out of the current party challenge.

    Jonathan , who made the remarks after receiving the report of the peace Committee, said party affairs should be treated like a family matter and settled out of court.

    He commended the Dickson-led committee immensely for its good work saying members of the committee deserved encouragement.

    He particularly thanked the governor and his entourage for going round the country to meet with key stakeholders and leaders of the party to seek ways of returning peace to the PDP.

    Jonathan expressed reservation over the use of courts to settle political matters, stressing that a political solution would ensure a win-win outcome for the warring groups within the party.

    He said: “ I believe a political solution remains the best means of resolving the crisis in the party and that’s why the Dickson committee must be commended.

    “No two parties go to court and come out smiling especially for a political party like the PDP that’s in the opposition”, the former president opined”.

    Giving instances of people who went to court and at the end could not get the desired result, Jonathan insisted that courts should ordinarily have no business in deciding who should be the chairman of a political party.

    The former president called on the parties to submit themselves to a political solution and expressed hope that it would finally rest the protracted crisis.

    On his part before presenting the report to the former President, Dickson aligned himself to some of the remarks made by Engr Aba Gana, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who had earlier spoken.

    Dickson added that Bayelsa State has benefited substantially from the PDP, declaring that the party remains the only one that has given the position of President to Bayelsa, a minority.

    He expressed Bayelsa’s indebtedness to the PDP, insisting that it is a thing of pride to work to ensure that the crisis in the party is finally resolved.

    Earlier, Gana, who is a member of PDP’s Board of Trustee paid glowing tributes to the remarkable leadership quality of Dickson referring to him as a peacemaker.

    “He has pushed the process so relentlessly to the extent that the success of finding a lasting resolution of the crisis has become evident”, Gana said.

    He also commended former President Jonathan for conceding defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari at the time he did.

    He maintained that that singular move restored peace to Nigeria and averted the looming crisis that would have consumed a number of lives.

    Gana noted that a leader who could achieve that feat effortlessly, would even do much more to restore peace in the PDP.

  • Only political solution can resolve PDP crisis, says Dickson

    Only political solution can resolve PDP crisis, says Dickson

    The Bayelsa State Governor and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Reconciliation Committee, Mr. Seriake Dickson Thursday, insisted that only political solution would take PDP out of its present crisis.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, commended party leaders and elders in the north for opting to support  a political solution.

    Dickson further thanked the northern leaders for identifying with the recommendations and efforts of his committee to unite the party.

    He noted that taking the path of finding a political solution to the current crisis remained a win-win option for everyone in the PDP.

    He advised against taking hard positions adding that the northern PDP leaders’ position underscored their commitment to finding peace in the shortest possible time.

    Dickson noted that at a time the party needed to put its house in order, personal interests must give way to the overall survival of the PDP.

    The statement said: “The Governor commends the PDP northern leaders for opting for a political solution in the resolution of the party’s leadership crisis. He thanks them for accepting this option and their unalloyed commitment to the PDP as a party.

    “This alternative remains a win-win option for our dear party. We must put aside our egos and sink our differences, so that collectively, we can face the challenges ahead”.

    The governor pledged that his committee would continue to undertake the right path to ensure peace returned to the party.

    The statement added: “The governor thanks them (PDP leaders) for their suggestions and recommendations. He appreciates their suggestions on the need for a political solution.

    “He also welcomes more suggestions, since the committee’s recommendations are not cast in stone”.

  • Dickson vows to sanction actors of electoral violence

    Dickson vows to sanction actors of electoral violence

    …Receives report of commission of enquiry

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has vowed to sanction persons behind the violence that marred the last governorship elections in the state.

    Dickson said such persons would soon know their fate based on the recommendations contained in a report submitted to him by the Judicial Commission of Enquiry headed by Justice Margaret Akpomiemie.

    Speaking while receiving the report of the commission in Government House, the governor lauded the commission for its diligent work and said his administration would study the document.

    ‎He said: “This job is very important and so the recommendations and findings will be carefully looked into so that appropriate actions will follow to let people know that there are consequences for misbehavior.

    “People should not be allowed to kill, maim and destroy properties in the name and under the guise of elections in this state”.

    The commission which was inaugurated o‎n December 14, 2015 was given seven terms of reference and in August 2016 it submitted an interim report to the governor.

    Akpomiemie while submitting a final report in four volumes said the commission called for and received 13 memoranda from the public while 39 witnesses testified with several exhibits tendered.

    She said members of the commission painstakingly went through their task and expressed optimism that the findings and recommendations will be useful in the conduct of future elections.

    “The commission carefully deliberated on the evidence before it both oral and documentary and we are happy to inform you that the commission has successfully completed its assignment”, she said.

    Akpomiemie thanked the governor for the opportunity to carry out such sensitive assignment noting that it was personally for her a unique way to end her 20 years of service in the judiciary.

  • Dickson meets Ibori behind closed doors 

    Dickson meets Ibori behind closed doors 

     

    …Niger Delta, PDP crisis dominate discussions

     

    Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has met behind closed doors with former Governor of Delta State and ex-convict, Chief James Ibori.

    It was gathered that Dickson visited Oghara, the country home of Ibori and seized the opportunity to hold talks with the former governor, who recently returned to his village after serving jail terms in the UK for money laundering.

    Dickson, who spent some hours meeting with Ibori on Thursday, reportedly discussed the crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and issues affecting the Niger Delta region.

    Confirming the meeting, the Chief Press Secretary to Dickson, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson in a statement said the governor spoke about the roles Ibori could play for peace to permanently reign in the region.

    They were said to have discussed how Ibori could rally major stakeholders towards tackling some of the peace and security challenges in the region.

    “The two leaders equally discussed likely windows of opportunities for criminally minded youths in the region to be more meaningfully engaged as well as protect some of the critical national assets of the country within the region”, the statement said.

    Dickson was said to have earlier spoken with his Delta State counterpart, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, before holding the meeting with Ibori.

    The governor expressed satisfaction with the disposition and resolve of Ibori to support current measures at tackling the security challenges in the region.

    Dickson was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Talford Ongolo, some members of the State Executive Council, including the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite.

  • Dickson moves to rescue stranded scholarship students abroad 

    Dickson moves to rescue stranded scholarship students abroad 

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, is worried about the plight of state’s students studying abroad under his administration’s scholarship scheme.

    The students were said to be having a tough time over non-payment of their fees with the schools threatening to expel them.

    A human rights activist, Aluzu Augustine, particularly raised the issue of Bayelsa students stranded at the Kings University College, Ghana.

    Aluzu raised the concern sequel to a letter addressed to the students by the Registrar of the school, Simion Peter Isekpo, threatening to expel the students if Dickson failed to pay their fees.

    The letter said in part: “Management of the university wishes to inform all students being sponsored by the Bayelsa State Scholarship Board that should your outstanding and current fees not be paid by October 15, 2016 deadline, the university would have no choice but expel you from the university on October 16, 2016.

    “Also affected undergraduate and postgraduate students who have completed their programme would not be allowed to participate in the forthcoming congregation in November 2016”.

    Already, it was gathered that the Ghanaian school banned the affected students from participating in school activities, but had yet to issue a circular expelling them.

    “We have been told that the governor is sending a delegation to our school. But for now we have been stopped from taking parts in school activities. 

    “Those of us in hostels had been asked to vacate. We are just hanging around waiting for the governor”, an affected student who spoke in confidence said.

    But the governor was said to be handling the matter including a similar situation in the United Kingdom with urgency through his Senior Special Assistant on Students’ Welfare, Mr. Owoupele Jeremiah.

    Jeremiah confirmed that Dickson had directed that funds should be released for the immediate payment of the students to enable them participate in examinations and access their certificates.

    He said: “Today the governor told me he had graciously  given approval and directive for release of funds  to quickly address the payment issues for Kings College, Lincoln and universities in the UK whose certificates are pending. 

    “A well-structured payment plan has been established to be implemented phase by phase by the board . 

    “This will allow the government to address them so that their certificates can be released to enable them use same for their various endeavours.

    “While some may find this development with skepticism it is intended to let the public know that the government is responsive and willing to deal with issues of development in human capital.

    “The resources are lean but with a pyramid of preference the needs will be met eventually.  The scholarship board will do the needful and the affected  students will receive their privileges restored in the affected institutions”.

    When contacted, Aluzu said: “We have been informed by a reliable source in Kings College that the students are aware of the impending visit of Bayelsa state Government to their institution and they are waiting for them. Nothing concrete so far

    “We pray the Government truly do something this time around and not just another hokum talk like we witnessed in 2013 because education remains the bedrock of every society”.

  • Dickson accuses Sylva of gathering youths for violent protest

    Dickson accuses Sylva of gathering youths for violent protest

    • Leave me out of your woes – Sylva

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, Thursday, accused the state leader and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Timipre Sylva of perfecting plots to instigate youths to embark on a violent street protest on Friday in Yenagoa.

    Dickson in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Dr. Boma Spero-Jack, claimed that the plan is for the youths to violently disrupt business activities and cause a breakdown of peace and order.

    The governor warned youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used saying the government would hold them responsible for any deaths, injuries or acts of lawlessness that could arise from the protest.

    He further called on the people of the state to be vigilant and asked parents and guardians, to ensure that, their children and wards were not used to breach the existing peace in the state.

    Dickson stressed that, the government would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any group of youths, who might decide to take to the streets, under whatever guise.

    “The various security agencies have been put on full alert to deal decisively with any acts of violence, no matter, who is involved”, he said.

    But Sylva immediately fired back describing the statement credited to Dickson as irresponsible, baseless and laughable.

    Referring to Dickson’s government as embattled, Sylva in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, asked the governor to leave him out of his many woes.

    The statement said: “Ordinarily, we would have ignored the statement since it did not provide any proof to support the alleged involvement of Sylva in the so-called plot. However, we are compelled to respond since the matter involves security of lives and property.

    “First, Sylva has nothing whatsoever to do with any protest in Bayelsa State on Friday or any other time.

    “Second, and more importantly, it is Mr. Dickson and his unsympathetic, anti-people and sick administration that should take the blame for instigating any revolt in the state for its deliberate refusal to pay its workers.

    “It is Dickson, and not Sylva, that is responsible for the mass hunger in Bayelsa State. University lecturers, who are currently on strike, are being owed several months’ salaries. And pensioners and workers are also being owed.

    “The children and their parents are forced to stay at home and, as the saying goes, ‘the idle mind is the devil’s workshop’.”

    “Dickson and his syndicate have envisaged crisis from the social inertia they have forced on the state with their lack of imagination and mindless looting of the people’s resources, and they are now on a desperate hunt for someone to blame.

    “But, as usual, the people of Bayelsa are wiser and they can see through Dickson’s shenanigans. If the people are now fed up and want to take political action to defend their humanity, Dickson should simply hold himself responsible.

    “Let Dickson be man enough to take responsibility for his actions and inactions, and leave Sylva out of his woes”.

    But the state Police Command warned against unauthorised and unlawful gathering of persons or group of persons, without a duly approved police permit.

    The command in a statement signed by its  Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Asinim Butswat said: “Information at our disposal reveals that some group of persons are planning to carry out a protest in Yenagoa and its environs, tomorrow Friday, 24 June, 2016.

    “The Police commands appreciate the fact that individuals or group of persons have the right to stage a peaceful protest, however, the law states that they should obtain a permit from the Police before embarking on any form of protest or procession.

    “The Command hereby appeals to parents and guardians to advise their children or wards to desist from joining any form of protest or procession.

    “Members of the public are advised to go about their lawful businesses as adequate security measures have been put in place to curtail the activities of miscreants, and the Police will not hesitate to enforce the law against any violator.”