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Tag: Bayelsa State

  • Cultism: Bayelsa CP engages vigilant groups, leaders

    The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Joseph Mukan, at the weekend held crucial meetings with vigilant groups and community leaders following increase in violent activities of secret cult groups in the state.

    It was gathered than Mukan, who is barely a week in the state, was jolted by widespread killings and maiming of innocent indigenes by gun-wielding cultists operating especially in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    It was further learnt that the police chief was shocked by the gruesome murder of a 17-year-old 100-level student of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Miss Seifa Fred by armed cultists in Amarata area of Yenagoa.

    He was said to have viewed the development as a community problem, which required involvements of youth presidents, vigilant groups and community development chairmen to tackle.

    A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Butswat Asinim, said Mukan engaged the stakeholders within Yenagoa Metropolis in the first phase of the meeting.

    Read Also: Outrage as cultists kill 16-yr old girl in Bayelsa

    Butswat said at the meeting, the stakeholders reiterated that armed robbery, cultism and rape were major crimes affecting their communities.

    He further said with the help of the youths, the police chief identified the flash points and promised to treat information received from communities with utmost confidentiality.

    The statement said: “The youths identified cultism armed robbery and rape as the serious crimes affecting their communities and assured the Police of their readiness to partner and assist the command in fighting crime.

    “The commissioner of Police assured the youths that information shared with the police will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Flash points, illicit drugs joints and other criminal hideouts were identified and will be raided accordingly.

    “The command commends all security stakeholders for their resilience and commitment to fighting crime, as the police are poised to ensure the safety of lives and property in Bayelsa State”.

  • Bayelsa condemns killing of teenager by cultists

    The Bayelsa State Government has condemned in strong terms the murder of a 100 level student of the state owned Niger Delta University, Miss Seiyefa Fred by suspected robbery gang of cultists.
    The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, described the murder of Seiyefa as shocking, reprehensible and unacceptable.
    He said that the government would do everything to ensure that those who perpetrated the dastardly act were fished out and brought to justice.
    The commissioner said that the Government was elected primarily to bring peace, security development and stability to the state and would not condone the murder of innocent people.
    Iworiso-Markson urged the people of the state to be united as the government intensifies efforts to rid Bayelsa of cultists and criminal elements who place no value on human life.
    He said that the government was in touch with the police authorities in the state whose men had commenced immediate investigation to unravel to those behind the heinous act.
    The Government’s Spokesman also called on the people to volunteer relevant information to the police and relevant bodies on the activities of the miscreants involved in all manner of criminalities in the state.
    According to him, what Bayelsa needs at the moment was intensified concerted action against the murderers of Seiyefa and their cohorts and not the apportioning of blames.
    He said, “The Government of Bayelsa received with shock the gruesome murder of a 100 level student of the Niger Delta University by people suspected to be cultists on a robbery mission.
    “The government condemns with all vehemence this collective assault on our humanity as a people and would do all within our power to address this provocative act.

    Read Also:  Outrage as cultists kill 17-yr old girl in Bayelsa

    “Government calls for the cooperation of all our citizens in the days ahead as deliberate efforts would be made to go after those who have declared war on our peace and security.
    “This is a task that would involve everybody. We all need to take responsibility for our collective security.
    “We must all collectively condemn this and rise up to confront these criminal gangs terrorizing our neighborhoods. The perpetrators are not spirits, they live among us. Let us not be silent. Let’s not be afraid or shy away from reporting them because it could be anybody.
    “Government commiserates with the family of the late Seiyefa and assures that the killers would not go unpunished.”

  • PDP cautions on ‘security siege’ to Bayelsa

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the federal government over what it described as the continued onslaught and security siege to Bayelsa State.

    Warning that the development, if not checked, could spell doom for the nation, the opposition party flayed the posting of eight Commissioners of Police to the state in a space of three months.

    Read Also:Uzodinma is PDP’s mole, says Okorocha

    At a media briefing at the PDP secretariat on Friday, spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged that the move was meant to forcefully take over the control of Bayelsa by the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “It is no longer news that the APC, for obvious reasons, is bent on forcefully taking over the control of oil rich Bayelsa and other littoral states, for which it now seeks to turn them into theaters of war, with the support of certain individuals in control of federal apparatus of power.

    “Today, the PDP and the people of Bayelsa state are being pushed to the wall as with the on-going plot by the APC and the Buhari Presidency to bully the people of Bayelsa and politically annex the state, by the use of crude force”, Ologbondiyan said.

    The party alleged plots to use security agencies, particularly the police to browbeat the people, foist a siege mentality on the state, trigger confusion and violence; then create an impression of security emergency.

    This, according to Ologbondiyan, was with a view to using such as justification for a coordinated invasion, attack and annexing of political structures of the state for President Buhari and the APC ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Ologbondiyan continued, “In the bid to forcefully seize control of Bayelsa state, the APC is attempting to convert the Police into its violent militant wing, leading to the violation of rules of engagement and putting security agencies on collision course with the people despite its potential bloody consequences.

    “It may interest Nigerians to know that, in its desperation, the APC has directly influenced the Inspector General of Police into posting eight different Commissioners of Police to Bayelsa state within the space of the last three months just to destabilise the state.

    “Some of the Police Commissioners spent less than a week before being pulled out of the state by the police authorities that have unfortunately acceded to the demands of the APC on the deployment of police chiefs to Bayelsa State.

    “This alarming change of guards of Police hierarchy in Bayelsa state is part of the devious plot to compromise the security architecture of the state, orchestrate security uncertainty, instill fear and siege mentality on residents and then seize the political structure in the state so as to pave way for massive rigging for President Buhari and the APC in the 2019 general elections”.

    The opposition party spokesman said the PDP was privy to information that some of the Police Commissioners were changed for refusing to infiltrate the firm resolve of the people to remain peaceful and determinedly supportive of the PDP controlled administration in the state.

    The party also said it was aware of series of meetings in Abuja involving certain cabinet ministers, two particular Presidency aides, some APC leaders, some top security officers and certain “compromised” officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including a close relative of President Buhari, where plots to destabilise Bayelsa State were hatched and orders given to the police to that effect.

    Stating that the PDP was in possession of documentary evidence of the said meetings, the party said it would not hesitate to make them public if the APC failed to steer clear of Bayelsa State.

    Continuing, Ologbondiyan said, “The fact remains that the APC knows that it cannot win any election in Bayelsa State as well as other littoral states or any PDP state for that matter. As such, it believes that the only way for them is to use security agencies to frighten Nigerians and break their resolve ahead of the 2019 polls.

    “However, let it be known to the APC, the Buhari Presidency and their compromised security personnel that their assault on Bayelsa will definitely attract very terrible consequences, as it will be firmly resisted by the people, head to head, with every means available, accessible and implementable in the defence of democracy.

    “Bayelsa remains a stronghold of the PDP and this fact is known to all. The Buhari Presidency and the APC should recall that they tried to forcefully take over the state in 2016 with their ‘penetration plan’ but failed woefully.

    “Bayelsa has not altered its status as a stronghold of the PDP and any attempt to disrupt this order has the capacity to trigger a crisis that is capable of sinking our nation’s economic mainstay”.

    The opposition party pointed out that Bayelsa state is at the epicenter of all the oil producing strongholds in the Niger Delta region.

    It added that the security siege to the state has triggered unprecedented anxiety and anger across all interests in the Niger Delta region and warned that an imminent collective response by the citizens to defend the state might come with serious costs to the national economy.

    “As we all know, Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) amply provided that no person shall take control of the government of our nation or any part thereof, except in accordance with the democratic provisions of the law. Therefore, we are not ready, in any way, to cede this statutory provision to anybody no matter the threats.

    “Nigerians and the international community appreciate the effort of the Government of Bayelsa State under Governor Seriake Dickson in ensuring the peace and security of the oil producing state.

    “Such should be encouraged to consolidate instead of this unrelenting plot by the Buhari Presidency and the APC to use the police to instigate insecurity and violence.

    “Nigerians must note that our country cannot survive another unrest in the Niger Delta, especially when our security agencies are grappling with the worsening insurgency in the North East and prevailing daily violence and bloodletting in various parts of the country.

    “The PDP as a patriotic party therefore calls on all Nigerians and the global community to join in cautioning the Buhari Presidency and the APC not to set our nation on fire with their inordinate ambition.

    “Instead of resorting to violence, rigging and seeking forceful control, the APC should rather use the remaining days of its fading administration to make restitutions and seek for forgiveness for all their atrocities and misrule, leading to the economic disaster and daily bloodletting which Nigerians have been painfully suffering in the last three and half years.

    “The PDP therefore cautions INEC officials and all security operatives, particularly the police, not to allow the rejected and discredited APC to set them on collision course with Nigerians, as such may not augur well with them, both as institutions and individuals.

    “Furthermore, our party calls on all well-meaning Nigerians to raise their voices and counsel the Inspector General of Police to tread cautiously and protect his office from politicisation. A word is enough for the wise”.

  • Outrage as cultists kill 17-yr old girl in Bayelsa

    Outrage and lamentations poured on Friday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, following the gruesome murder of a 17-year-old girl by suspected cultists, whose motive was to snatch her smart phone.

    Seifa Fred, a 100-level student of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) was gunned down at close range while running an errand for her mother in the state capital.

    Fred, who was at home following the strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), was said to have gone out at about 8pm to buy roasted meat popularly known as suya for her mother.

    On her way back, cultists who have made life in Yenagoa a living hell, were said to have attacked her close to her house and shot her in a bid to snatch her phone.

    Her mother was said to have rushed to the scene following the gunshot only to behold her beautiful fair in complexion daughter in the pool of her blood.

    The helpless mother raised the alarm to attract sympathizers, who rushed the girl to the hospital, but the young Fred was declared dead on arrival.

    Investigations showed that the incident was one too many as innocent residents in Yenagoa are constantly attacked and killed by cultists, who invade the streets to snatch smart phones.

    In the case of Fred’ an eyewitness, who spoke in confidence said the hoodlums waylaid and wasted no time to snuff life out of her.

    He said: “The incident happened at about 8pm beside Zenith Bank in Amarata area. The suspected street cultists, who were on the prowl, shot her and ran away with her phone leaving her dead on the ground.

    “Resident of the area came out and rushed her to the hospital, but she later passed out. She is currently at the mortuary”.

    Residents lampooned security agencies especially the police for failing to tame cultists and their violent behaviour in the state.

    One of the resident identified as Moses observed that armed cultists were roaming the streets and unleashing violence on victims without any hindrance.

    “It is as if Bayelsa is a lawless state. These boys are everywhere with arms killing and maiming people just to snatch their valuables especially phones. They operate at night and in daytime with hindrances. We are not safe. Imagine the cruel way the life of young and vibrant Seifa Fred was taken by them.

    “The government must rise to the occasion. They should partner with security agencies to stop this killing. The government should not allow cultists to form their own system of government”, he said.

    Further investigations showed that killings by cultists were daily happenings at Obele, Abor Road, Saint Peters area, Amarata, Kpansia, Opolo and Tombia area, described as red spots in Yenagoa.

    Some angry residents claimed that cult-related violence was on the increase because cultists arrested by the police escape justice after paying huge amount of money to void their prosecution. The claim, however, could not be verified.

    Read Also: Bayelsa receives N24.1bn Paris Club refund

    Some friends of Seifa Fred said she was chatting with them on some of her social media platforms a few minutes before her death.

    One of her friends, Gideon Owili said: “Bayelsa state is really insecure. Seifa Fred was online a few minutes ago. She had just be shot dead because a smart phone. She gave them the phone, but they still shot her. I am in tears and deep sorrow.

    The leader of the Egbesu Brotherhood, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, described the killing as unfortunate and called on the youths to stop the violence.

    “Cultism and abuse of drugs is on the increase, there is no day that passes in Yenagoa, that gunshots are not heard. People are being killed like chickens, yet no reports of arrests made.

    “We should join hands together to restore peace in our state, cultism affects us all, if you are not a cultist then you are a victim, don’t wait for this government, security is all of us business”.

    But the state government condemned the killing of Seifa Fred and called for collective efforts to stop agents of death.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson appealed to the security agencies to be alive to their duties.

    He said: “We need to get the security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities. This is no time to apportion blames. We all need to take responsibility for our collective security.

    “We must all collectively condemn this and rise up to confront these criminal gangs terrorizing our neighborhoods. The perpetrators are not spirit. They live among us. Let us not be silent. Let’s not be afraid or shy away from reporting them because it could be anybody next”.

    The police in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, confirmed the killing and promised to arrest the suspects.

    He said: “On 8 November, 2018, at about 2030hours, unknown suspected cultists at Amarata, Yenagoa, shot one Seiyefa Fred ‘f’ 16years, while trying to dispossess her of her mobile phone. The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

    “The Police have swung into action and are working on a promising lead on the identity of the suspects and efforts have been intensified to arrest them.

    “The command has embarked on community engagement meetings with relevant youth bodies in a bid to stem the tide of cult related activities. Members of the public should continue to assist the Police with useful information to combat crime in Bayelsa State”.

  • I won’t take sides with politicians – Bayelsa police chief

    The new Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Mukan Joe, on Tuesday said he was in Bayelsa to fight crime professionally and not to play politics.

    Joe, who spoke at the state command Yenagoa, specifically assured all stakeholders that he would not take sides with politicians in the buildup to the 2019 general elections.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, expressed reservations over the recent posting of Joe to the state.

    But the police chief, who once served in the state as a Deputy Commissioner of Police, said stakeholders had nothing to be afraid of insisting that his mission was not politically-motivated.

    Joe vowed to adhere strictly to the responsibilities of the police, which he referred to as a call to duty.

    He maintained that his leadership would only provide a level-playing field by ensuring security for politicians to play their politics.

    He said: “We always strike a balance by playing a neutral role. We won’t be distracted by people trying to address us in a borrowed rope of supporting politicians. We are not politicians. 

    “We are here to maintain law and order and provide security for those who play politics. We must ensure that there is a level-playing ground by giving them the security needed. 

    Read Also: Bayelsa schools can’t open now, says Dickson

    “We are not here to take sides with anybody. If the police is to have have a political party our own political party is the Nigerian Police Force Political party.

    He added: “We know the responsibilities of the police. The police work is just like a call to duty and you are expected to be a professional. Our basic responsibility is the protection of lives and properties. That is my main mission in Bayelsa. 

    “Bayelsa is not a new terrain to me. I know the terrain very well because l was opportune to serve here briefly. I identified the issue of cultism in Bayelsa when l reported last week”.

    Joe further said that he had already mapped out strategies to deal tight the disturbing issues of cultism in different parts of the state.

    He said part of the strategies included being proactive to prevent crimes before their occurrence adding that his approach would be guided by intelligence.

    “I have already mapped out strategies to tackle it. We are going to be proactive in our approach to fight crime in Bayelsa. We will not wait for it to happen. We will take the war to their dens. 

    “We will smoke them out because we have already mapped out how we can go about it. We don’t wait for it to happen before we take action. It will be intelligence-driven. So, when we are taking the war to them we know exactly what we are going to do. We don’t take sides with politicians”.

  • Bayelsa warns against abuse of tinted glasses in vehicles

    The Bayelsa State Government at the weekend warned motorists against abusing tinted glasses and covered number plates.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mr. Boma Spero-Jack, said in a statement that it was illegal and against public interest for anybody to cover the number plate of his or her vehicle, without authorization by relevant agencies.

    Spero-Jack stressed that it was not in the general interest to allow an uncontrolled coverage of vehicle number plates in the state .

    He advised motorists with genuine need to tint the glasses of their vehicles to approach the police authorities to get such permits.

    Spero-Jack stressed that the government would not allow unauthorized use of tinted glasses considered an impediment to its bid to ensure the protection of Bayelsans against those plotting crimes against the society.

    He said: “It has come to the attention of the Bayelsa State Government that motorists have resorted to an increasing coverage of their number plates in the state.

    “This is done without authorization from the relevant security agencies. We are all aware of the grave implication of the coverage of number plates by unauthorized persons.

    “The government is therefore urging all those involved this dangerous habit to stop it henceforth as deliberate actions would be taken to see to the prevention of the abuse of the coverage of number plates in our state.

    “Similarly, we have observed a noticeable increase in the use of vehicles with tinted glasses by unauthorized people.

    Read Also: Bayelsa receives N24.1bn Paris Club refund

    “Those who have the need to be given the privilege to use tinted glasses on their vehicles may contact the Nigeria Police.

    “The State Government has a responsibility to protect the good people of Bayelsa whose rights to security and safety have come under threat by the indiscriminate use of tinted glasses in vehicles and the authorized coverage of number plates.

    “The public is advised to take this observation and advise seriously.”

  • Bayelsa schools can’t open now, says Dickson

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend ruled out immediate reopening of schools, which were closed by the government following the flood disaster. 

    Dickson, who spoke in a media chat in Yenagoa, said there was a need to protect children from water borne diseases.

    But the governor assured the people of the state that the schools would not be closed for too long following the flood assessment reports by a committee led by the Commissioner for Education, Jonathan Obuebite.

    He said the Ministry of Education was working to mitigate the negative impact of the closure on the overall performance of students in the forthcoming West African Examination Council (WAEC).

    The governor noted that while the flood started to recede, government was more concerned about the health and safety of the children.

    He said that the government was taking steps to ensure proper sanitation of all the schools including the ones that were converted to camps for displaced persons before children were allowed into them.

    Read Also: Nigeria sitting on keg of gunpowder, says Dickson

    He said: “We ordered a forced closure of all schools about a month ago to ensure the safety of the children. But now that the flood is receding, we will do everything possible to make our schools habitable before announcing the resumption of schools.

    “But let me assure you that, that will not be too long from now. The State Ministry of Education is monitoring the water level and making daily reports to me. We are not in a hurry to push children who are vulnerable to harm’s way.

    “On the issue of the performance of our students in national examinations, I want to assure you that government will encourage all schools to make some adjustments to enable them to make up for lost time”.

    The governor, who commended the flood victims for their resilience said the government would do its best to ameliorate the plight of displaced persons and ensure their resettlement into their communities

    He called for collaboration in proffering long term solutions to address the flood issue through the dredging of the major rivers, tributaries, shore protection as well as construction of sea walls and shelters.

    Dickson also offered automatic employment to all indigenes of the state,mwho graduated with first class in their respective areas of studies. 

    He called on such graduates, who did not pick the employment forms for the 1000 vacancies announced earlier by the government, to approach the civil service commission for enrollment into the service.

    He explained that the automatic employment of first class graduates would be in addition to the 1000 graduates awaiting oral interview to be conducted by the Civil Service Commission.

    He explained that his desire to bequeathed a vibrant and productive civil servant inspired the decision to engage all first class graduates in the state.

  • Gunmen abduct Agip workers, two others in Bayelsa

    Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped two workers of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and two other persons along the creeks of Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw  Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. 

    It was gathered that the victims were in the area last weekend to carry out a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV), usually done by stakeholders after an oil spill, when the gunmen swooped on them.

    The armed kidnappers were said to have stopped the officials, seized four of them and took them to an unknown place.

    A source, who spoke in confidence,  said the victims included an employee of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and two from Agip (HSE Department).

    Read Also: NNPC, Agip to add 500mw to power grid

    He said the abducted victims were taken to an unknown destination adding that the assailants later contacted Agip to negotiate their ransom and release.

    Following the development, the source said the oil company sent a letter to the Director, Petroleum and Pollution Department in the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment.

    But Agip and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment could not be reached for their reactions. 

    It was however gathered that armed solders were deployed in the area to locate the whereabouts of the victims. 

    When contacted, the Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe (ODS), Maj. Ibrahim Abdullahi, said he was not aware of the abduction. 

    He said:”There is no information like that at my disposal. However,  I’ll check further and let you know if there’s anything like that.”

  • Bayelsa aspirants dump PDP, lament imposition, impunity

    Two prominent Ijaw youth leaders from Bayelsa State on Thursday dumped the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) following the fallout of the party’s primary elections in the state.

    A former President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Udengs Eradiri and ex-National Mobilization Officer of IYC, Elvis Donkemezuo, who were aspirants in the elections, complained bitterly that the process was marred by irregularities and violence.

    Donkemezuo, immediately defected to the Young Democratic Party (YDP), to actualize his aspirations of representing Kolokuma-Opokuma Constituency 2 in the State House of Assembly.

    But Eradiri, who aspired to fly a PDP flag for the Yenagoa-Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency, in a press briefing in Yenagoa said he was still consulting with his supporters and family members to decide his political future.

    He described the Wednesday primary election in which a former Secretary of State Government (SSG), Steve Azaiki, was declared the winner, as a sham adding that thugs mobilized by state forces attacked delegates and shot at him.

    Eradiri lamented that delegates from 12 wards in his constituency were not allowed to vote saying he witnessed the highest level of intimidation despite promises of a free and fair election by the party.

    He said with his experience as an aspirant, the PDP leaders had learnt nothing from the lack of internal democracy and imposition of candidates that made them lose the 2015 general elections.

    He said: “I am dissatisfied with the way the primaries went, right from when ward congresses were conducted. The ward congress election did not hold. Names were written, we protested but nothing was done about it.

    “At the primaries,  I saw the height of an undemocratic process. In fact 12 wards from my Federal Constituency were excluded. It was marred by violence. People were mobilized to violently attack our supporters and I was shot at.

    “Above all the principles of the true free and fair democratic process was not adhered to. It is not as if I wasn’t expecting this but I thought that as a party which came out of 2015 wounded as a result of lack of internal democracy and inposition of candidates probably leaders would have learnt some lessons. 

    “The PDP is going into an election with an opposition and ruling party that has everything that it takes to win an election. We saw what happened in Ekiti and Osun states so the only way the PDP can make progress is by ensuring internal democratic process.

    “So, having considered all the factors surrounding it I have come to the conclusion that the PDP is not where I would be able to express myself. I am a young man with a lot of energy and drive to add value to the society.

    Read Also: 150,000 persons displaced by flood in Bayelsa

    “I think that the agitation for justice in the Niger Delta must migrate from the streets to the table of political discus and that is when people who are knowledgeable find themselves in the law-making part of governance”.

    Eradiri said it was unfortunate PDP chose to treat him like an outcast despite his loyalty and contributions to the party.

    He said: “I have learnt the hard way. I want to formerly thank the leadership of the PDP and the leadership of the state for giving me the opportunity to learn the ropes of politics. 

    “I want to formerly inform the world that today the 4th October 2018, l formerly exit the PDP. My letters will be ready and I will forward it to my ward through which it will be forwarded to the leadership of the council. 

    “Going forward I am engaging in conversation with my supporters and I will communicate again to the world the next line of action”.

    On his part, Donkemezuo, who was received by the leaders of the YDP described the PDP as a wilderness and expressed happiness that the YDP had given him the light.

    “It was unfortunate what happened in the PDP. We have seen imposition of candidates. We have seen lack of internal democracy, violence, intimidation and impunity in the highest order.

    “My constituency was not allowed to vote in the National Assembly primaries. My ward chairman was beaten and stripped naked. Monies and phones were stolen and that is not the kind of ideals l have for politics. 

    “Violence and intimidation does not conform to my principles in politics. It is part of these reasons l chose to pursue my ambition in other platform where there is decency”.

  • Nigeria sitting on keg of gunpowder, says Dickson

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has warned that the country was sitting on a keg of gunpowder, saying Nigeria was more divided at 58.

    Dickson said it was unfortunate that at 58 Nigeria was still talking about elemental issues such as unity, federal character, fairness and justice.

    Speaking in a live radio broadcast in Government House, Yenagoa, the governor blamed the country’s predicaments on leaders, who squandered opportunities to re position the country.

    Dickson said simple issues like appointments, respect for geopolitical zones, and decision-making had deeply divided the country.

    He said leadership is demonstrated by taking concrete steps and actions to engender equality, justice and creation of a sense of unity and not political slogans for selfish interest.

    He said: “At the national level, Nigeria could have done better too. Nigeria at 58, we are still talking about elementary issues like unity of our country, and the more people talk about unity, the more disunited we portray ourselves to be. These are some of the things we grapple with which are actually, elementary issues.

    Read Also: We need detribalised President, says Dickson

    “Unfortunately those at leadership levels who ought to take concrete steps are doing little or nothing about uniting the people. Unity should be shown by steps or actions a leader takes and not platitudes and political slogans people pronounce when it is convenient.

    “Leadership is measured by the decisions you take, appointments made by taking deliberate steps to treat everybody equally to create a sense of unity, equality and justice.

    “Once you do those things, you will build bridges of unity and solidarity.

    That is one area our country clearly seems to be sitting on a keg of gunpowder. The country is more divided than ever before. However, our country has also made some progress at 58.

    “Our democracy is taking roots because nation-building is not to be accomplished in four or eight years, or even in one’s lifetime but from one generation to another. We have a lot of national challenges, which all leaders should apply themselves.”

    On progress made by the state at 22,  Dickson declared he was fulfilled by the achievements of his administration in virtually all sectors of the state’s economy, particularly in critical infrastructures, education, health, security and tourism.

    For instance, the referred to the Bayelsa International Airport built by his administration as one of the best in the country explaining that the state government was putting finishing touches to the project and awaiting regulatory approvals for formal commissioning.

    Dickson also said arrangements were ongoing to ensure that the airport operates local and international flights, adding that, every facility, including the navigational facilities and the 3.5 kilometre runway had been put in place.

    The governor urged the people to use the period of the independence anniversary for sober reflection given the magnitude of devastation caused by the rising flood which had displaced thousands of people across the state.

    On the question of epileptic power supply, Dickson blamed the situation on what he described as lopsided nature of the Nigerian Federation where most critical issues promoting the development of the people are placed in the exclusive list.

    He said: “The lopsided Federation we have is the cause of the current poor power supply situation in the state. We don’t the freedom to do what we want to do because a lot of things are placed in the exclusive list. It is mainly a federal government failure and that is why we are fighting for restructuring and constitutional reforms in this country.”

    The governor listed other achievements of his administration to include the reforms in the public sector and governance culture which have brought about peace, political stability and a new dawn in Bayelsa.

    He said: “Nigeria could have done better. At 58, we are still talking about elemental issues like the unity of our country. Those who ought to take concrete steps are not doing so. We are more divided than ever before especially now. We are sitting in a keg of gunpowder”.

    Dickson said his administration had created enough political tolerance to allow opponents to operate without harassment.

    He said: “We have deployed political power positively, showing tolerance and accommodation and managing political processes. People will talk about or even rant of some of these things. We have not hounded anybody holding contrary views.

    “Leaders have a way of heating up the polity. There was a time in this state that if you disagreed you won’t come to the state again. So, we don’t victimize people. We show deliberate tolerance and capacity to accommodate to create a new Bayelsa”.