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Tag: Bayelsa State

  • Bayelsa holds council elections July 27

    Bayelsa State at the weekend said it would hold its local government elections on July 27, 2019, about three months to the state’s November 2nd governorship election.

    Since 2011, the eight local government areas had been under the administration of caretaker committee chairpersons appointed by the state Governor, Seriake Dickson.

    But the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) Dr. Perekeme Bertola released a timetable for the elections into the councils.

    Read Also: Bayelsa Assembly members get life pensions

    Bertola promised to uphold the tenets of democracy and conduct free, fair, credible and conclusive elections.

    The chairman said he would synergize with all stakeholders and hold regular consultative meetings to ensure a hitch-free polls.

    Most of the stakeholders present at the meeting including some political parties described the move as a welcome development expressing their readiness to mobilize voters to participate in the elections.

  • Dickson probes activities of PDP leaders, aides in last elections

    Ahead of the November 2nd governorship election, the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend, inaugurated committees to investigate the activities of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and his appointed aides at the just-concluded general elections in the state.

    It was gathered that the party leaders, commissioners and other aides were apprehensive following the insistence of Dickson that they must render accounts of their actions in the last elections.

    But the governor while inaugurating the panels christened Stock Taking Committees at the Government House, Yenagoa, said they were not designed to enforce discipline in the party adding that issues of sanctions remained the exclusive preserve of the PDP leadership.

    Dickson, who was represented by his Deputy and Central Chairman of the committees, Rear Admiral John Jonah, said: “These committees are to evaluate the performances and roles played by party leaders and government appointees in the last election in the state and ensure the enforcement of operation deliver your units.

    “The assignment given to the committees is not aimed at enforcing discipline in the party. Issues of discipline are exclusive preserve of the party leadership.

    “All party members, appointees of restoration government are directed to cooperate fully with the committees, the results of various units will be submitted to the party chairman by the Secretary to PDP”.

    Read Also: How my successor will emerge, by Dickson

    The governor charged the committees to be fair to all members and to avoid looking at their assignments as opportunities to settle old scores.

    He gave them seven days to submit their reports and urged them to get all required materials from the party leadership.

    Addressing the committees, he said: “You are working for the interest of the party. So, if you make mistakes in some places we will correct you.

    “Go with open mind and your report will be submitted in the central working committee within seven days or one working week and we expect you to get everything needed for your work through the party”.

    The committees were inaugurated in each local government area with Brass, Kolokuma-Opokuma, Ogbia, Ekeremor and Sagbama having six members each.

    While committee in Nembe Local Government Area comprised eight members, those of Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa have seven members each.

    In his response, the Chairman of Brass Committee, Sam Ateke, described the assignment as very important saying it was aimed at repositioning the party ahead of the election.

    He said: “The committee at the central level chaired by the deputy governor himself indeed shows the importance that is attached to the job expected to be done.

    “In that case we that are appointed as chairmen and members thank the governor for finding us worthy to be appointed to serve at these levels.

    “I want to on behalf of my colleagues say that we understand the intentions of the party and we know the importance attached to it.

    “PDP at state level wants to do everything possible to see that we have gone through one election by the grace of God and we have done well. We are going to face another election and we need to reposition the party”.

     

  • APC condemns proposed life pensions for Bayelsa lawmakers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has kicked against a bill passed by the state’s House of Assembly awarding life pensions to its members.

    The party said it also observed how the strange idea, which was proposed as a bill and passed by the House on Wednesday, had set the public pulse racing.

    The party said completely rejected the idea describing the bill as unjust, ungodly and self-serving.

    The State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said it was unsympathetic for members of the House of Assembly to seek to enhance their own lives at the expense of the vast majority of Bayelsa people living in pain and penury.

    Buokoribo described the life pension bill as an unspeakable crime against our people.

    He said the party was making efforts to enthrone a regime of better life for the people of Bayelsa.

    Buokoribo said: “And we have led a robust opposition to the current system of anti-people governance in the state for close to eight years.

    “Regarding this latest move by the House of Assembly, we again say that the idea is avaricious, wicked, and insensitive. By proposing such a law, the lawmakers have merely portrayed themselves as a people who feel no concern for the feelings of their suffering constituents.

    “They have once again confirmed that they are in cahoots with the executive in the serial impoverishment of the people of Bayelsa State.

    “APC advises the legislature to withdraw the obnoxious pension bill and avoid the appalling crime against the people of Bayelsa State.

    “In the event of the legislature’s refusal to heed this solemn advice, we appeal to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, if he is still in touch with his essential humanity, to refuse assent to the pension bill when it is transmitted to him.

    “Failing this, the party calls on the people of Bayelsa State to embark on a campaign of peaceful resistance against the rogue assembly and the poverty regime of Governor Dickson.”

  • Customs officer allegedly stabs graduate in Bayelsa

    A custom officer, identified as Mr. Pereto Ayabowei, from Sagbama Local Government area of Bayelsa state, has reportedly stabbed a graduate on his stomach and leg following an argument at a popular relaxation centre in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The suspect, said to be serving in Katsina State, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he engaged in the act.

    Trouble was said to have started when the bar attendant asked the suspect, who wanted to play the game of snooker, to book his turn.

    But the angry suspect reportedly seized some of the snooker balls boasting that he would deal with anybody, who dared him in a military style.

    Recounting the incident, an eyewitness, who spoke in confidence said: “We were playing snooker, when the suspect came. At first he was friendly with us.

    “But we noticed his tongue was coloured blue and smelling of alcohol. He requested to play a set on the snooker board and he was told to pay and wait for his turn but he rather became agitated and seized the white ball.

    “We pleaded for him to return the ball but he rather left us stranded on the board. That was all I know before we heard noise that he was killing someone”.

    The victim, a graduate of River state polytechnic, identified as Mr. Anthony Amangala said: “I was only pleading with him to return the ball when he seized the other ball.

    “We tried to talk to him because the people were waiting to play but he used the seized ball and hit my nose which made me bleed profusely.

    “The people even told me to leave him and go get myself treated since I was bleeding and I had left him.

    Read Also: Bayelsa urges youths to shun crime

    “But the next thing I heard was a loud shout from people telling me to run that he was coming with a dagger.

    “I couldn’t run since he was close, and the next thing was a stab on my stomach.

    “He brought it out after the first stab and wanted to stab again but I pushed his hands before he stabbed my leg.  If not for the people I would have been killed and left in my pool of blood.

    “I was left unconscious on the floor and the next thing I woke to find myself in the hospital with severe pains.”

    A close relation to the victim, who was at the clinic, said that the victim had been restless and prayed against internal bleeding.

    The lawyer to the suspect, Nwanchukwu Peter, claimed it was a civil matter of two fighting, adding that his client wasn’t under the influence of alcohol but was only defending himself.

     

  • Mob kills two robbery suspects

    Two robbery suspects were yesterday killed by residents of Biogbolo in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    Two other suspects were said to have escaped from the mob, while one of them was injured.

    The incident caused heavy vehicular traffic along the popular Mbiama- Yenagoa Road, until policemen stormed the scene to stop the action.

    The five-man gang was said to be notorious robbers in the habit of terrorising the area and robbing unsuspecting people around the Otiotio/ Erepa district, majorly populated by Hausa traders.

    It was gathered that luck ran out of the gang when they tried to rob a passerby who had only N1,000 in his pocket.

    Read also: Command exonerates policemen from shooting

    The victim reportedly shouted to alert traders and residents, who identified the suspects.

    An eyewitness, who spoke in confidence, said the suspects were notorious for tormenting residents and others.

    He said: “We suffer a lot from them on a daily basic. They rob us and go free. The police are not doing anything about it. They move freely with firearms in the state and nobody arrests them. Even if they are caught, they’ll be released.”

  • How my successor will emerge, by Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend said his successor would not come from his pocket insisting that such decision was too important to be made by one person.

    Dickson explained that the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that would take his place would emerge through intense prayers and consultations.

    The governor, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Fidelis Spriwei, spoke at the Monthly Praise Night and the 8th edition of the Easter Cantata programme organised by his administration in Yenagoa on Saturday night.

    Ahead of the November 2nd governorship election, the governor emphasised on the need for all well-meaning Bayelsans and friends of the state to pray for its continued stability and peace.

    He also urged the people to seek the face of God for his divine direction as the PDP embarked on the search for the next governor of the state.

    Dickson said he had prayed the state should not be handed over to a person who had no regard for the authority’ of God.

    “My position on who succeeds me is firmly anchored on the belief that God does not only give power but truly rules in the affairs of men,” he said.

    He expressed gratitude to the clergy and people of the state for their prayers and support in the past seven years, attributing his achievements in office to the mercies of God.

    He said: “I will not cease thanking God and you the clergymen and indeed the good people of our state for the prayers and encouragement and support you are giving to me and my team.

    “We have achieved a lot in the past seven years because of your support and the mercies of God in spite of the meaningless distractions to destabilize our state which has been adjudged as the most stable in the Niger Delta.

    Read Also: Dickson accuses military of terrorism

    “But as usual, let me call on all of us to use this period of Easter, which is a period for sober reflection, to continue to invite the presence of God in our state.

    “We must not relent in our prayers because the enemies of our land are planning hard to destroy the peace and stability we have laboured to build.

    “But we have nothing to fear. They put their trust in chariots, weapons and connections in Abuja but we trust in the Almighty God who has always saved us.

    “Since we handed over our government to God, we have been reinforcing it through prayers and positive declarations that this state which I call the Jerusalem of the Ijaw nation shall not be handed over again to anybody who does not fear the authority of the Almighty God above.

    “I will formally invite everybody in this state to pray because I feel that the next leader of our state is not going to be selected from my pocket. No I won’t do that; it’s too important a decision to come from one person.

    “That is why we have to first commit it as a burden to God so that we can be guided not by the whims, thoughts, desires and calculations of men but by His divine will and direction. After the prayers, then I will engage on intensive consultations.

    “For all those who are thinking of being part of this equation, I prescribe same for you. Don’t overheat the system because we still have a lot to do for our state even in the remaining months.”

     

  • ‘Gunboats should be produced locally’

    Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah at the weekend called on the Navy to produce its gunboats within the country and stop depending on importation.

    John-Jonah said local production of gunboats would make the combat facility available to enable the Nigerian Navy effectively patrol the maritime environment.

    He further noted that local production of gunboats would contribute to the growth of the national economy by discouraging capital flight arising from importation.

    A statement signed by John-Jonah’s Special Assistant on Media, Ebi Evisnson, said the deputy governor spoke at the Navy Sailing Club, Navy Town Lagos during the Admiral G. J. Jonah Boat Race.

    The deputy governor, who sponsored the year’s activities of the Navy Sailing Club, said local manufacturing of military items should be encourage even if they were not as sophisticated as the ones imported from other countries.

    He said: “If the we able to produce gunboats, even if they are not as sophisticated like the ones abroad, even if the aesthetics is not as what we have, even if the amount of money used in producing it is slightly higher, so long as they are functional, it would be better for us to build them locally as it would contribute to our own economy.

    He also added: “As a naval officer, you must understand the tide, the wind and be able to drive all forms of boat before you can succeed as a midshipman.”

    He further assured that he would continue to sponsor the Admiral G. J. Jonah Boat Race and commended all the prize winners in the various competitive aquatic sports.

    Read Also: Polls: Police to deploy gunboats to riverine communities

    The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, noted the maritime environment remained the mainstay of the economy.

    He reiterated that the Nigerian Navy was saddled with the responsibility of defending the riverine territorial integrity of the country.

    He also said that the Navy Sailing Club came into existence in 1985 saying the club remained afloat training athletes in aquatic sports after 33 years.

    Daji thanked John-Jonah for sponsoring the Admiral G. J. Jonah Boat Race and commended his leadership qualities and generosity.

    Club Commodore, Navy Captain M. M. Braimah, described the Navy Sailing Club as a recreational centre and a place designed to people’s competences in aquatic sports.

    He said: “The Club is also a place where we try to catch them young by training children and young adults in aquatic sports. The various categories for this year’s competition are open water swimming for children, boys and girls; kayak for children and adults, male and female and Laser Sailing for men.

    “I am not surprised that 10 years after retiring from service, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah is still very much interested in the wellbeing of the Club.

    “He was the Sixth Commodore of the Club when he was a Navy Captain in the Nigerian Navy”.

    High-point of the event was presentation of prizes to John-Jonah, Daji and winners in the various categories.

  • Easter: Dickson preaches love, peace

    Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Sunday, called on Nigerians to continue to live together in love, peace and unity as they joined Christians, worldwide, in celebrating Easter..

    The governor, in his Easter message signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said those were the attributes Christ lived and died for.

    He said the attributes were also necessary ingredients for the development of any society and should never be traded for anything.

    According to him, the import of the message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ should not be lost on anyone as it is not all about merrymaking but calls for sober reflection on why he choose to die.

    Read Also: Bayelsa 2019: Who will succeed Dickson?

    Dickson noted that the principal objective of the teaching of Jesus Christ is love and forgiveness, hence, His true followers must imbibe and propagate those qualities at all times, especially during Easter.

    “If we truly love ourselves, there will be no political killings, brigandage, banditry being experienced in some parts of the country.

    ” If there is genuine love among us, this country will be better for it” he said.

    Dickson restated his commitment to the security of lives and property as well as socio-economic development of the state, not minding the few months left in his tenure.

    On the coming governorship election, the governor  urged politicians to be mindful of their actions, insisting that Bayelsa should not be turned into another theatre of war because of the desperate ambition of a few.

    He called for continuous prayers for the government and the state, assuring that his administration was focused on finishing strong and conducting a peaceful and seamless transition period.

    NAN

     

  • Bayelsa recovers N2.2bn from public sector reforms

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, Wednesday said that the ongoing reforms in the state’s public sector had so far led to the recovery of N2.2bn annually in the state.

    Dickson spoke during a meeting of labour leaders, members of the Post Primary Schools Board and Association of All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), in Yenagoa.

    The governor in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said that the amount was saved from the ongoing verification exercise in the mainstream civil service and that of the post primary schools in the state.

    He said that the government had so far recovered N53million per month from the mainstream civil service and N134million from discrepancies in salaries of secondary school teachers and principals.

    The governor commended the labour unions for supporting the reforms designed to stop the endemic payroll fraud in the public service.

    He said the money saved from the exercise could be committed to the development of the education sector to enhance service delivery.

    He lauded the efforts of workers verification committee led Dr. Josephine Igodo for its commitment and diligence and expressed optimism that more funds would be recovered by the end of the exercise.

    Dickson vowed to ensure a holistic implementation of the civil service rules and directed immediate identification and retirement of those above the statutory retirement age.

    Read Also: Police promote PPRO, 71 others in Bayelsa

    The governor further approved the payment of the arrears of N18,000 minimum wage owed secondary school teachers and directed the release of N50million monthly with effect from April for that purpose.

    He said: “I will implement the civil service rules to the letter. All those who are beyond the statutory age of retirement in the service should be identified and retired.

    “The labour leaders generally have been supportive in these reforms and we have saved this state a lot of money. And I know that by the time we conclude this exercise we will save more than this amount.

    “This money will enable me employ more teachers if we want to employ more. All the leakages that were there before have been blocked so that we can serve the people better.

    “My predecessor approved the N18, 000 minimum wage and we inherited the arrears. And if we have paid the mainstream civil servants, we must pay the teachers with effect from this month because government is a continuum. Let us make a deposit of N50 million.”

    The governor called on teachers to also reciprocate government’s gesture and the investments made in the education sector by demonstrating dedication and commitment to their teaching profession.

    He said that he was optimistic that the government’s efforts would yield more results  by the end of the exercise.

    He noted that withheld teachers’ salaries would be paid into a special account, Unpaid Salaries Account, pending when they had been duly verified.

    In her remarks, the Executive Secretary to the Post Primary Schools Board, Dr. Blessing Ikuru, commended Dickson for his efforts at sanitizing the secondary schools.

    She said the board was working hard to regularise all discrepancies discovered in the grade levels and steps of teachers’ salaries.

    The State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Kalama Tonpre and President of ANCOPSS, Mrs. Christiana Ezetu applauded Dickson for promoting professionalism and welfare of workers in the state.

     

     

  • Dickson lifts embargo on promotion of civil servants

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has given civil servants in the state a special gift ahead of workers’ day celebration following his decision to lift embargo on implementation of promotions in the service.

    Dickson directed immediate implementation and payment of pending promotion benefits and accumulated arrears to all workers.

    Speaking at a meeting with labour leaders in the state, Dickson also approved the spread of the payment to the end of the tenure of his administration.

    The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson who disclosed this said the governor further informed the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) of the decision of his government to conduct a special interview for the employment of teachers in the state.

    Read Also: Bayelsa 2019: Who will succeed Dickson?

    Iworiso-Markson explained that as a laudable initiative, local government councils would be encouraged to implement the decisions as regards their workers.

    Confirming the development to journalists after the meeting, the labour leaders thanked the governor for lifting the embargo and directing the implementation and payment of promotion arrears before the end of his tenure.

    They thanked the governor for the ongoing Labour House project and commended him for always consulting and engaging them before taking any decision affecting them in the state.

    The labour leaders described Dickson as the most labour-friendly governor who had engaged labour more than any other leader and always placed the welfare and wellbeing of workers as a top priority.