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Tag: Bayelsa

  • I have what it takes to govern Bayelsa -Aganaba

    As the race for the gubernatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State gathers steam, Prince Preye Aganaba a household name in the politics of the state is emerging as an aspirant to watch. He is an unassuming personality and a prince of the royal family of Aganaba of the ancient town of Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma L.G.A. The businessman and philanthropist recently spoke with Okon Akpan in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on a wide range of issues borthering on his governorship ambition as well as development challenges of the oil rich state in the Niger Delta. Excerpts

    COMING from a background in the academia, what informed your decision to settle down for business?

    I studied Computer Engineering at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt. I have also done training in leadership and management courses within and outside the country.

    My choice of business as a career doesn’t in any way separate me from the values my late father had entrenched over the years or what you aptly described as “a background of high values for the academia”.

    The spirit of academia runs through the family vein. I don’t want to sound arrogant because I’m nurtured in the mould of humility. But I can tell you that up till now, I love the academia and would have loved to teach in the university, but life is about choice and freedom. My dad has respect for his children’s right to choice and freedom.  He refused to impose his will on the children over the choice of career just same way he respects rights of others.

    The idea of teaching in the university is not bad at all but it is regrettable how they are relegated to the background. What I’m trying to say is that: One, we need to give education a priority. No country grows more than the education of its people. Just as the great political philosophers would say, education is light.

    Two, we need to have the right people with the right values to fix our education system for what Professor W.W Rostow would describe as the preparation for the great take-off of our development process.

    Now back to your question of choice of career, my choice of business as a career is not accidental. My father was an agriculturist; he was Federal Agricultural Station Manager at Abobiri in the 70s, later first Project Manager at the Rivers State government-owned Peremabiri Rice Farm in Southern Ijaw LGA which was his idea. He later went into commercial farming and made a fortune out of farming as a serious business. I also choose business to create and spread wealth so that I can touch as many lives as possible by my acts of philanthropy.

    Today, modestly speaking, I have partly fulfilled that dream by not only assisting students in need but have also attracted life transforming projects to my immediate community.

    My dream and the bigger picture I have is to take many unemployed youths off the streets by creating millions of job opportunities in the years ahead.

    Definitely I can’t share the glory with anyone except my maker, the author of life.

    It may further interest you to know that my late father was one of the founding fathers of Bayelsa State. After the Abayelsa State Creation Movement with a proposed headquarters at Ahoada failed in 1990, it was my late father who picked up the remnants of that movement and pushed for the creation of Bayelsa State with a proposed capital in Yenagoa.  He was Protem Chairman of the Bayelsa State Creation Movement. Apart from committing personal energy and resources to the cause of creation of Bayelsa State, he provided his house as a meeting venue for Izon leaders during the struggle to have a homogenous Izon state. The final documents for the creation of Bayelsa State with Yenagoa as state capital was personally submitted by my late father in Abuja, after the first committee that submitted the initial documents fraudulently replaced Yenagoa as the state capital of the proposed state. It may interest you to know that the late Gen Sani Abacha was our neighbour in Old GRA Port Harcourt while he was Brigade Commander in Port Harcourt and a close friend of my late father. We knew him as Colonel Abacha back then as kids.

    So electing ourselves to the cause of the Izon nation and general public service runs in the family veins. That is the driving force to serve humanity not necessarily for pecuniary benefits.

    This is the spirit I’m bringing on the table in my desire to serve the people of Bayelsa State, if I’m given the opportunity at any time the people of the State beckon on me to serve.

    Recently your name began trending in political circles, where several youth groups are asking you to throw your hat into the ring for the 2019 governorship election in the state. What is your reaction?

    Yes, I have received calls and delegations to contest the governorship election in Bayelsa State. In a politically exposed state like Bayelsa, it is not a tea party. As I earlier said, I don’t do anything without divine guidance. Whatever God has ordained nobody on earth can stop it. David was not the best warlord, but with God’s anointing, the little lad in the wilderness was brought forth to defeat Goliath the greatest warlord and was made King.

    If it is the will of God that I should become governor of Bayelsa State, who else can say no when the Lord says yes?

    I’m not desperate about seeking any position but when God says I should contest, I will contest. Let me however, seize this opportunity to tell you that, I have what it takes to lead Bayelsa State to the promise land of the dream of our founding fathers.

    It may interest you to know that I brought APC to Bayelsa at high risk at a time anybody associating with APC in Bayelsa State was treated like a leaper. This is understandable, because former President Goodluck Jonathan is from Bayelsa State. In spite of the leprous treatment meted out to us for belonging to APC, we persevered to plant the seed of APC in the state and today, I am glad to see people joining the party in their droves and the party is currently ruling at the national level.

    What are your likely priorities, if the opportunity is given to you to govern the state?

    Functional education system will be my first priority. I very much believe in the educational philosophy of Walter Russell who said “In vain we build the city if we do not first build the man”.

    In other words, we must first build the people through education side by side with the development of infrastructure. That is, the human capacity development index must take the lead in our quest for development.

    All tiers of education must receive the best of attention by attracting the best brains from all over the world to teach and prepare our students and the people in general for the competitive world of technological development.

    Two, Bayelsa State must take the lead in terms of science and technological growth by conscientious investment in functional education.

    Three, investment in independent power project will follow in the list of priority. Huge investment in this critical sector will attract both local and foreign direct investments flow to the state. The multiplier benefits are that employment opportunities will be there, reduce militant agitations, youths will be meaningfully engaged.

    Four, youths empowerment is very key, followed by the health sector where international agencies can be attracted to intervene in the critical areas of need.

    I don’t want to mention names, but I admire some governors partnering with people like Bill Gates to fund and fix their health sector. This is a laudable step which I will borrow a leaf to develop Bayelsa State without being dependent on centrally inspired budgetary allocations.

    Also, the Internally Generated Revenue will be given full attention. It will not be out of place to dedicate a Ministry to that effect to speedily pursue our development goals.

    I’ve done a preliminary study on the issue of IGR in Bayelsa State and it is my conclusion that we can generate an IGR to take care of the state wage bill without necessarily waiting on Federal Allocations. Tax is historically a sensitive subject and we can achieve it without giving a heat on the civil service and cause unnecessary capital flight on investors.

    On general infrastructure, massive roads construction and integrated rural development will be our goal.

    Investment and Tourism go hand-in-hand. Tourism is one key area that will shore up the IGR of the State. And we can’t talk about tourism without infrastructure. Tourism is all about celebration of infrastructure.

    Above all, we can’t talk about development without the unity of purpose of the governed. It must take the front burner in driving our development process.

    Apart from promoting transparency, accountability and good governance, we must promote unity and all-inclusive governance not minding the political divide.

    How will you achieve these lofty development dreams in a state that is sharply divided by partisan interest?

    We will not allow political divide to hamper our development process just as it’s happening in Lagos where political maturity is brought to bear in developing the state. Development begins when the election is over.

    Bayelsa is a homogenous state; we disagree to agree but at the end, we are all bound by the spirit to earnestly develop the state.

    We have to live above petty and primordial political sentiments in driving our development process. We should concern ourselves with massive road constructions and construction of bridges to link up our 70 percent marine rural communities. These are not insurmountable tasks; they are possible dreams that can be achieved by sense of commitment and honesty of purpose.

    Have you considered the difficult terrain which has become the excuses by successive administrations?

    Definitely the terrain challenge is there, but the question is, how long shall we continue with this lamentation?

    We have to for once bury these self-defeatist excuses and roll out the road map to frontally confront our challenges.

    We have men and women in Bayelsa State to drive the development of the state. Let’s bury that culture of excuses and lamentations. It is high time we drive the process to the next level.

    It is said that there’s no love lost between political gladiators in Bayelsa like former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson on one hand and former Governor Timipre Sylva on the other. What is your take on that?

    I feel sad that the media continues to highlight issues that divide the people and heat up the system, rather than talking about issues that will unite people in driving the development process of the state. People are bound to disagree to agree; even a father and son disagree to agree. People should try to avoid creating unnecessary disaffection to make political gain out of it.

    Former President Jonathan, current Governor Dickson as well as former Governor Timipre Sylva, to the best of my knowledge, are eminent sons of Bayelsa who have served the state to the best of their abilities. We don’t need to run down ourselves.

    Like I said earlier, let’s come together to promote peace, unity and prosperity in Bayelsa State and avoid issues that will not help to develop the state.

    For me, I will double my efforts in building on the legacies of our past leaders in fulfillment of the dreams of our founding fathers and there is no going back on this. I have what it takes to win election for the party if I’m given the ticket of the APC.

  • INEC shifts Bayelsa, Kogi governorship polls to November 16

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has granted the request of Bayelsa State to shift its governorship election from November 2 to 16.

    INEC announced this yesterday in Abuja.

    A statement by its National Commissioner in Charge of Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, said: “It will be recalled that on April 9, the INEC released the timetable and schedule of activities for the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections. The commission fixed November 2 for the elections to hold in both states.

    “However, the commission has received several appeals from the government, State Assembly, elders, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders in Bayelsa State that the election date coincides with the state’s annual Thanksgiving Day, which is backed by the Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day Law 2012.

    “After a careful consideration of the appeals, the commission, at its regular weekly meeting on May 16, decided to shift the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states to Saturday, November 16.

    “The timelines for all other activities leading to the elections have also been adjusted to align with the new date. The amended timetable and schedule of activities for the elections are attached to this press release.”

     

  • Dickson’s attack on oil companies is political, says APC

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described environmental campaign, ‘Rise for Bayelsa’, and verbal attacks launched against activities of international oil companies by Governor Seriake Dickson as politically motivated.

    The party in a press conference in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Thursday said the governor’s move was a dishonest political campaign targeted at key APC stalwarts in the state with environmental pollution as smokescreen.

    Dickson recently inaugurated the Bayelsa State Environmental Degradation Commission of Inquiry with a mandate to investigate sharp practices of oil multinationals that had caused environmental degradation in the state and the Niger Delta region.

    The governor named the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, as the Chairman of the Commission, whose members were dominated by global leaders and scholars.

    But the APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, dismissed the allegation as a move meant to mount pressure the oil companies, disengage APC members working as pipeline contractors in the state.

    Buokoribo warned the oil companies against descending into the political arena in the state by succumbing to the pressure from Dickson to sack the pipeline surveillance contractors.

    He said: “To the mind of the governor, the oil pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the oil firms were key to the security threat in Bayelsa State. He specifically accused two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are oil pipeline surveillance contractors, of security breaches in the state.

    Read Also: EFCC arrests Kwara Assembly member-elect

    “We neither hold brief for the international oil corporations nor do we speak in the name of the surveillance contractors. As a party, we have a responsibility to protect our members from political persecution.

    “In point of fact, APC members are not the only people working as oil pipelines surveillance contractors in the state. Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are also doing the same job across the state.

    “For example, Gabriel Jonah, younger brother to the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, has been an oil pipeline surveillance contractor for years. Yet, Dickson has made it his duty to focus only on APC members. He is using his offices to exert undue pressure on the oil companies to take the surveillance jobs away from our members. Clearly, this is a political project, and it will not stand.

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  • Bayelsa, NIWA bicker over wreck removal

    Bayelsa State government and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) are quarrelling over the removal and disposal of wrecks on waterways.

    The government directed shipping operators in the state to take instructions from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on scrapping and removal of ship wreck, but NIWA is contending that it is the sole authority on the matter.

    According to NIWA, while NIMASA covers the coastal waters, its jurisdiction covers the inland waterways, including rivers, creeks and lakes, thus giving it the sole responsibility to surveying, removing  and disposing of wrecks within the Inland waterways in the country.

    In a statement by NIWA management, the Authority described comments and announcement by the state government on the electronic media as misleading.

    The statement read: “The attention of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has been drawn to a recent announcement on radio and television credited to the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State, Mr. Arthur Andrew Seweni-owor, claiming that the Bayelsa State Ministry of Transport has the authorisation of NIMASA to function as receiver of wrecks within the Inland Waterways of Bayelsa State.

    “We hereby refute as follows: The act establishing NIWA, CAP 47 LFN 2004, particularly part II Section 9 (d), part iv Section 28 (2) empowers NIWA as the sole agency for survey, removal and disposal of wrecks within the Inland waterways in Nigeria.

    “That NIMASA’s jurisdiction does not conflict with that of NIWA. While NIMASA covers the coastal waters, NIWA’s jurisdiction covers the inland waterways, including rivers, creeks and lakes.

    “Consequently, any person or organisation involved in salvaging, cutting, scrapping or disposing of wrecks within the Inland waterways of Bayelsa State, and indeed Nigeria, is advised to obtain the necessary clearance from NIWA. Failure to do so may lead to severe sanctions.”

  • Bayelsa 2019 guber: Zoning as an imperative for peace and justice

    BAYELSA is one state in Nigeria that has become the cynosure of contemporary politics in the country. Though, it has one of the least populations, it is not less than some African countries like Botswana, Guinea Bisau and others, with very large water-mass.

    It is one of the most naturally endowed states contributing well over 40 percent to the Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria with the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities far back 1956 in Oloibiri.

    Apart from its political sophistication, there is no denying the fact that Bayelsa is the epic Centre of the agitation for fair deal in the oil rich region of the Niger Delta. Therefore, anybody who underestimates the socio-political cum economic calculus of the state will be doing so at its own peril.

    To the consternation of all, former President Goodluck Jonathan from the state emerged as the first democratically elected Vice President and later President from the South-South Region. This is after years of agitation for the south-south geo-political zone to produce a president of the Federal republic of Nigeria.

    As a matter of fact, the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality has been at centre of the agitation for equity, justice and fairness over the sharing of the National cake. Engaging any Ijaw man for discourse anywhere and anytime, you will always notice the rhythm of his sense of worry about injustice in the country. Sometimes it flaunts it to whoever that cares to listen that ”Ijaw means Truth” and they stand for Truth, Justice and nothing more.

    That is the spirit which runs through the blood and veins of the Ijaw man which has become the standard life even in the distribution of political offices of who gets what in the political configuration under the banner of a strong, united and prosperous state.

    It is against this background, when the former ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was formed with the introduction of zoning as a formula and panacea for peace, equity and justice. Bayelsa state which is widely known as the traditional home of PDP heartily welcomed the idea with two hands, with the conviction that at least the South-South Geo-political Zone would have the opportunity to produce a president.

    Even in the current ruling All Progressive Congress ,APC, at national level cherishes the very principle of zoning as an essential element of promoting  national cohesion, justice and equity and it is so enshrined in constitution of the party.

    In the PDP era, the zoning arrangement paid off, particularly with the emergence of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as the fifth democratically elected president of Nigeria from the minority ethnic bloc, which was a major step towards breaking the jinx of majority domination which Bayelsa is a beneficiary.

    In Bayelsa State, the zoning arrangement is not only the unwritten rule but has also become the political ethos pervading the land, lives and people of the area.

    The state has only Eight LGA’s consist of three major political Blocs known as Senatorial Districts; they are: Bayelsa East Senatorial District comprised of Brass, Nembe and Ogbia LGAs; Bayelsa Central Senatorial District has Yenagoa LGA, Southern Ijaw and Kolokuma/Opokuma LGAs while Bayelsa West Senatorial District has Sagbama and Ekeremor.

    As the political storm begin to gather momentum across the state towards the November 2nd, 2019 governorship election following the release of election time table, the issue of where the governor should come from has become a topical issue of concern to critical stakeholders in the politics of the state.

    Top on the argument is which senatorial district and which local government area should or ought to produce the next governor.

    A careful look at the existing statistics in the distribution of political offices shows as follows: Bayelsa central produced Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as the first democratically elected governor of the state who happens to come from the Southern Ijaw LGA of the Central Senatorial District.

    D.S.P Alamieyeseigha’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, came from the Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa East Senatorial District. The same Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa East Senatorial District later produced Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as governor with Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi as Speaker. Mr. Ebebi later became Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s deputy and further became deputy to former governor Timipre Sylva, when Dr. Jonathan was elevated to the office of Vice-President and President of the country.

    The Bayelsa East Senatorial District, which comprises the LGAs of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass further produced Chief Timipre Sylva who hails from Brass as governor in 2007. His deputy, Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi came from Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa West, while the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Mr. Werenipere Seibarugu, was given to Yenagoa LGA and Deputy Speaker went to Nembe LGA.

    Following the expiration of the tenure of Chief Timipre Sylva in 2012, the argument of where the governorship would be zoned was revived. The general consensus then was that Bayelsa West Senatorial District, comprising Sagbama and Ekeremor is the only zone that was yet to produce a governor.

    That it will be unfair to deny them their right to have a taste of the office of governor of the state and will be counter-productive to the core values of justice and fairness which the people of Ijaw have been known for over the years.

    It was on that basis that the lot fell on the current governor of the state, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson, from Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa West Senatorial District, while his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (RTD), was picked from Nembe LGA of Bayelsa East Senatorial District; followed by the Speaker, Mr. Friday Kombowei Benson from Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa Central.

    These point to the fact that Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA is marginalised in all ramifications in the distribution of the office of governor of Bayelsa. It is the only LGA that is yet to even produce the position of Deputy Governor and that of Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

    The wide-spread opinion across the state is that Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA deserves a fair deal and should zone the office of the governor to the area.

    A Yenagoa based public affairs analyst, Comrade Ebitimi Yepadou, stated thus; ”we cannot afford to perpetrate this broad-day injustice against our kits and kin in Kolokuma/Opokuma. We, the Ijaws, have fought against marginalisation and injustice with the Federal Government. It will be too bad, wicked, cruel and hypocritical to blame others for injustice while same problem is being perpetrated by an Ijaw man against another Ijaw man. The office of governor should be zoned to Kolokuma/Opokuma whether APC or PDP.”

    The idea has become the general verdict of the people not minding the political divide. According to a member of the APC in the state, Mr. Alabo Emi, who hails from Brass LGA, ”anybody outside Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA seeking to contest for governor in Bayelsa State should search his conscience. It will create bad blood within our people who regard themselves as homogenous Ijaw state, to deny our brothers and sisters to aspire to occupy the highest office in the state. It will make mockery of the ideals the Ijaw man had stood for over the years.”

    It is a legitimate demand for the sake of equity, harmony, unity and above all for the greater prosperity of the people of the state.

    After all, historically, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA with headquarters at Kaiama, home of the Ijaw hero, Isaac Adaka Boro, started the agitation for a fair deal in Niger Delta shortly after Nigeria’s independence.

    Boro and his lieutenants engaged the federal government in an arms confrontation of what is historically referred to as ”The Twelve-Day Revolution”. The struggle led to the creation of the old Rivers State where Bayelsa was further carved out in 1996.

    In 1999, Kaiama, which is regarded as the heart-beat of the Ijaw struggle, became the centre of activities of the Ijaw Youth Council involved in the liberation movement. Like the Arusha declaration, the IYC activities were taken to another level culminating in the historic ”Kaiama Declaration”, a declaration which provided a working document for the agitation and emancipation of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, which further led to the creation of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to address the development concerns in the region.

    Moreover, the people of Bayelsa cannot talk about the story of the creation of the state without reference to the role of Chief Dan Etete, former Petroleum Minister in the late General Sani Abacha regime. He was the rallying point by the Ijaw people in ensuring that they have a homogenous Ijaw state.

    It is pertinent to also mention that the Odi massacre by the federal government was a direct consequence of the resolve of the agitators in confronting the marginalization of the Ijaw people by the central government.

    Obviously, with these indices, the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma have paid their dues in the struggle to give the Ijaw man a pride of place in the comity of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and the rest of the world.

    They have made enormous sacrifices to liberate the Ijaw people from the shackles of political, cum economic hegemony.

    That is why their demand for the highest office in the state, for the position of governor, is a fair demand and well placed. The 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa state is yet another acid test on the sincerity and commitment of the Ijaw nation to the much talked about ideals of equity, fairness and indeed equal rights and justice among the Ijaw people. This has to be replicated as it concerns the turn and right of the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma to produce the next governor of the state.

    This is where the Ijaw Leaders of Thought, youth and women groups and critical stakeholders must urgently intervene to resolve the issue in favour of Kolokuma/Opokuma. This is the only way to pacify the spirit of Isaac Adaka Boro crying for justice in his quiet grave over the grotesque marginalisation of the Kolokuma/Opokuma people.

    This is in the greater interest of a united, strong and focused Ijaw nation, being the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria. No group or individual should allow their self-serving ambitions to truncate the bond of unity in Ijaw land.

    After all, politics without fair distribution of resources can only incur bitterness and unnecessary rancour. If the central government could introduce federal character to entrench some level of sense of belonging to the constituent states; much less of a people who describe themselves as homogenous state cannot afford to put in place mechanisms for fairness in a small state.

    The Ijaw nation will be exposed to ridicule if they fail to do the needful; ultimately, they have no justification to point accusing fingers at the centre as the failure to correct the injustice will mark the death knell in the shout for justice by the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

    Already, a chieftain of the APC, Engr. Preye Aganaba has set the ball rolling by indicating his intent to contest the office of governor and called on the leadership of party at the national level to micro-zone the standard bearer to Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, which is well placed in the interest of justice.

    Finally, if the Ijaw people pretend over the injustice against the Kolokuma/Opokuma people, then, they have no moral gumption to clamour for any form of justice or complain of any form of marginalisation any longer.

    • Boyo-Boyo wrote in from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

  • Bayelsa after Dickson: who picks up the gauntlet?

    Soon Bayelsa will confront a monumental date with destiny. One thing is clear: in the context of developments elsewhere where paradigms are shifting to encompass greater definitions of human progress, Bayelsa’s horizons cannot be circumscribed by the limitations of its past.

    Take the idea by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to create a new ”Ministry of Possibilities’, which is a further step in the continued aspiration of this modernising nation to, not only remain competitive, but even stay ahead of competition.

    According to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the UAE Premier and ruler of Dubai, the unconventional ministry, a virtual one but with input from the whole cabinet, will address pressing national portfolio of issues and build future governing systems.

    “Future challenges require the constant development of the government structure …impossible is not in our dictionary”, he proclaimed.

    Then I watched the video clip of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reeling off the incredible advancement of his country in science, technology and innovation through which it has built a very strong economy at home and a powerhouse in the global economy. Innovation in ICT has created its leadership in cyber security, tech companies, energy and agriculture. In fact, Netanyahu emphasised to the world, the five current pace-setting companies in the world-Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon and Facebook – have major resource centres in Israel.

    “Our true wealth is in innovation”. By the way, Israel has just about eight million people which represent one per cent of the world’s population.

    And from our backyard, Ghana announced to the world that the country will soon be distributing essential health care products to hospitals and other health facilities in the country through drones. The scheme is the largest in the world.

    Read also: Calm in Bayelsa PDP as aspirants await Dickson’s directive

    “No one in Ghana should die because they can’t access the medicine they need. We must do everything within our means to ensure that each citizen of Ghana has access to the quality health care they deserve”, an exuberant Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, said.

    Interestingly, Rwanda, which rose from the ashes of ruin years ago, has since been operating the same drone application in health care from 2016 when the pilot scheme started and already expanded to precision agriculture, especially in potato and wheat production with  farmers now smiling to the banks. We must remember that Rwanda is a landlocked nation without natural resources, yet it is now acknowledged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

    Whither Nigeria in all this? Why should a country of swashbuckling people threaten to be such a monument of failure with puny nations who not long ago looked up to us now treating us with scorn and derision? What have we brought on ourselves? Why do we insist on carrying on with a clearly stultifying political structure?

    In spite of all that, Bayelsa, over the past eight years, is proving that a clear-headed and determined leadership with vision can still brave the odds and make a difference. It is the same audacity of hope which has seen the UAE under al-Makhtoum turn an arid place in a very short time into the toast of the world in commerce, tourism and excellent governance culture.

    Yes, good governance. That is what is now driving the economies of both Ghana and Rwanda and to a lesser extent, that of Kenya.

    Overall, the defining characteristics of these countries are thinking, bright and creative leadership, vision, determination and commitment, consistency and discipline. They have all helped to initiate some very forward-looking and pragmatic policies and programmes which are consequently changing their stories.

    The particular case of Israel is a fascinating one and an inspiration to us  in Bayelsa State. Just as Israel is a developmental lodestar in the Middle East and the world at large, having dared impossible conditions, Bayelsa can be similarly driven to become an economic power house not only in Nigeria but in the sub-region and even in the African continent.

    Here, the focus is on innovation to drive development and in the process solve so many of the challenges we face in the state by applying technology and smart policies. Through the Israeli model, I think we can overcome many of our teething challenges specific to the Bayelsa condition, taming poverty through entrepreneurship, startups, light manufacturing, agriculture and agribusiness (rice, cassava, banana, plantain and oil palm), fisheries, energy (gas) and tourism.

    Through collaboration and partnerships, technology could be used to harness the latent resources in Bayelsa (human and material) and unleash a new economy that could birth the “Bayelsa Economic Miracle”. Of course, innovation in this regard is the driver of productivity, economic growth and development.

    It all boils down to leadership, vision and smart policies that are forward-looking and disciplined and consistent. This is the model Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has sought to provide in the course of  his exemplary leadership and which needs to be consolidated and built upon.

    A major challenge in the ambition to leapfrog development is the manpower needed to run the process of innovation and technology and we must necessarily do greater investments in this regard. The Restoration Government in Bayelsa State led by Governor Dickson has laid a solid foundation for this vision of economic revolution through massive investment in education across the state and other legacy infrastructural projects. Henceforth, the state can do more in prioritising Mathematics and Science and ICT as the bedrock of innovation.

    The Bayelsa Innovation Strategy should address innovation capacity in relation to solutions to local needs and challenges in the specific areas itemised above.

    So, capacities will come from the many students in schools now with the right motivation for learning and constant upgrading of curriculum to emphasise the rudiments of the economic technological age associated with the new vision under consideration in powering a new economy for Bayelsa State.

    Here, innovation and sustainable growth, in the long run, will play a central role as we must build local capacities revolving around the right education, skills and human development.

    The new economy will also have to be inclusive, in which case many of the youth who never had the opportunity of formal education will go through the Bayelsa Technology and Innovation Centre, a large and modern centre where they will be taught various skills which will necessarily have a relationship with the various segments of specific areas of concentration of economic activities as designed by the realities of the new economy.

    This is why we must reject the confining vision which references Bayyelsa State as a civil service state. We cannot continue with this mindset as all efforts must be geared towards production and manufacturing without which no nation or state can claim to be developed.

    Like we had in Israel in their early stages of development, Bayelsa must begin start-up companies in different areas with the right support from the government, with the private sector as the engine of growth. Our people must shake off the lethargy of waiting for government before they can make impact even as government can serve as key enabler.

    This was what informed my decision to henceforth embark on routine visits to start-up companies in Bayelsa which is part of the ongoing effort by the Dickson-led Restoration Government to recognise and encourage young entrepreneurs in the state.

    A few days ago, I visited the workshop of a talented young Bayelsan who uses sawdust to fabricate lamp holders and screeding of walls. The support from government will certainly go a long way to enable him to realise the full potential for his business.

    The Bayelsa innovation strategy towards a new economy will have to build niche competencies in sectors of comparative advantage, especially in agriculture which is capable of being the lynchpin of a major economic revolution in the state. Through technology application, there could be a great boom ahead when the rice fields in areas such as Peremabiri, Ayamasa, Ofoni, Okordia-Zarama and in many communities in Ogbia, Nembe are well developed in increased acreages, improved varieties and fortified with precision agriculture to increase yields three to five times a year.

    Also the cultivation of oil palm, cassava, plantain and banana on a large scale with same precision, agriculture will, no doubt, give quantum results. The large scale fish farming which have since commenced in the state courtesy of the Governor Dickson-led Restoration Government will need greater investment and robust private sector participation for it to attain sustainable economic significance.

    Bayelsa has core competencies in these areas and with the right comparative advantage will ensure great opportunities for export. A major relevance of such huge investment in these areas is also the capacity to address socio-economic challenges, particularly the impact on poverty reduction by creating jobs.

    A concerted effort must also be made to see how the enormous gas deposits in Bayelsa State can be converted into a huge asset that it represents despite the existing legal framework. Gas could fetch the state billions of dollars when the current spate of flaring is completely cut off. That should be a priority concern. Then all efforts must be made to ensure that our people begin some startups no matter the scale.

    Entrepreneurship is the way to go; we cannot continue to pride ourselves as a civil service state. The Restoration Government already has a master plan on this and the active collaboration of the private sector must be sought in this regard.

    Borrowing from Israel, technology and innovation are capable of changing our economic narrative through adaptation. Indeed Israel and Dubai have shown that with a clear vision and determined leadership, all things are possible even in an arid or blighted environment. We must change and advance socio-economic progress and better the lives of our people in such a manner that in about two decades, with the right priorities, smart policies, consistency and good governance, Bayelsa State can emerge as an economic power house that challenges the rest of Nigeria to do better.

    Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has set the ball rolling in this regard. Now, are there men out there to pick up the gauntlet, who see leadership as a call to self-denial, service and sacrifice rather than corruption of our morals and licentious living, the public treasury as an extension of his private pockets?

    Now, who will be a hero for Bayelsa?

  • Bayelsa: Dickson probes activities of PDP leaders 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 appointees in 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 ‘Stocktaking 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 (rtd), 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.”

    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.”

  • Inside Bayelsa State’s crowded guber race

    The race for the prized seat at Creek Haven, Bayelsa State’s Government House, is on. In this report, Assistant Editor, ‘Dare Odufowokan, reports on the aspirants and the issues that will lead to the emergence of the candidates of the two leading political parties in the November governorship election

    RECENTLY, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally signified the beginning of the struggle for the governorship seat of Bayelsa state which is now up for grabs as incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson, wraps up his second term in a couple of months. According to the commission, the guber election in the state will hold on November 2, 2019.

    Expectedly, the race towards Creek Haven, as the Government House is called, is now a frenzied one, with aspirants, party leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders working round the clock in their various bids to tilt the balance in favour of their preferred contenders. Of course, many of those who have shown interest in the top job have been described as mere pretenders seeking political attention.

    Similarly, the two frontline political parties in the state, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) have been expressing preparedness for the forthcoming decisive election. Both parties, according to reports as well as party sources, are very optimistic of emerging victorious at the November governorship poll.

    According to Governor Dickson, victory is sure for his party, the PDP, come November as the party is currently strategising for victory ahead of the election. “We are promoting harmony and inclusiveness among members. And this is a cardinal policy of the PDP. Indiscipline will not be tolerated while unity will be promoted. We know the importance of harmony among party faithful as the election draws near,” he said.

    On the other hand, the APC is not leaving anything to chance as the election draw closer. According to very reliable party chieftains, leaders of the opposition party have worked very hard at uniting and strengthening the APC. “We used the opportunity presented by the just concluded general elections to bring our people closer and I can assure you APC will defeat the ruling PDP in November. Our party is more than ready,” our source claimed.

    The Nation gathered that the peaceful manner in which the last national and state assemblies primary elections of the party in the state were held under the leadership of the former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, contrary to predictions of many political observers, has encouraged chieftains and members of the party to be optimistic that APC in Bayelsa State is ready for victory.

    This is just as leaders of the PDP are praising the outgoing governor, Dickson, for embarking on his current peace initiatives aimed at ending all forms of grievances that emanated from the last general election in the state. According to party sources, Dickson’s olive branch to aggrieved members of the ruling party is helping to re-energise the PDP in a manner that will reposition it to easily trounce the APC in November.

    Between Jonathan and Dickson

    But observers of the politics of the state are of the opinion that the ruling PDP will have to do more if it truly desires to put its house in order ahead of the November election. Sources say while the governor is truly addressing pockets of grievances in some parts of the state as part of measures to reposition the party for victory, he is yet to address the much talked about disagreement between himself and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “While it may be true that the duo are not really at loggerheads save for one or two disagreements, the same cannot be said about the relationship between Dickson and many of Jonathan’s allies. And the allies are the people who hold the ace when it comes to the politics of the former President’s camp. They are in pole position to inform what Jonathan will do come November. So, the governor, and in fact, PDP as a whole, must address that issue.

    Both Dickson and Jonathan have constantly denied that anything is wrong between them. But pundits and party sources insist all is not well between them politically. Following the victories of the opposition APC in some parts of the state during the last national and state assemblies’ elections, some allies of the governor pointed fingers in the direction of the former President as they try to explain why PDP lost in those places.

    Similarly, some associates of the former President have been having running battles with the governor over his handling of party and state affairs. These developments have been fueling the widespread rumour of a not-too-rosy relationship between Dickson and his former political godfather, ex-president Jonathan. And many analysts are of the opinion that if not addressed, the alleged face-off may injure the PDP during the November election.

    “The worry is over how the governorship candidate of the ruling party will emerge and whether whoever emerges will be acceptable to the two camps. We cannot continue to pretend that all is well between the two divides. Some occurrence during the last general election showed that there are cracks in our walls and we need to urgently fix these cracks before the all-important governorship election scheduled for November,” a party source said.

    The worry that the opposition APC may be benefiting from the crisis between the two camps to make enroute into the state became rife when the PDP lost the senatorial seat of ex-President Jonathan during the last general election in the state. The party also lost two House of Representatives seats and a number of House of Assembly seats, all in the same East Senatorial District of the state, to the chagrin of Governor Dickson and other PDP leaders.

    The candidate of the APC for Brass-Nembe Federal Constituency, Israel Sunny-Goli, scored 41,150 votes to win Marie Ebikake of the PDP, who polled 19, 279 votes. In Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, APC candidate, Preye Oseke, scored 56,804 votes to defeat the candidate of the PDP and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, with 34,104 votes. APC’S Degi Wagara also won the senatorial seat.

    While the duo of Jonathan and Dickson continue to insist all is well between them, their failure to agree on many state and party issues continue to swell the rank of those who believe they are at loggerheads. Recently, when cases of alleged anti-party activities were leveled against Jonathan and other PDP chieftains from Ogbia Local Government Area, supporters of the former President accused Dickson of sponsoring the allegations.

    So, not a few pundits are expecting a tussle between the camp of former President Jonathan and supporters of Governor Dickson over how the ruling party’s governorship candidate will emerge. Already many aspirants from both sides of the divide have flooded the race, raising worries over a possible clash of interest between the two foremost PDP chieftains in the state.

    For instance, the likes of Arch. Reuben Okoya, Dr. Boladei Godknows Igali and Beinebi Okara, who are known political allies of ex-president Jonathan, are said to be in the race for the gubernatorial ticket of the PDP. If they decide to go all the way in their desire to pick the ticket, they will be up in political arms against notable political associates of the governor who have also indicated interests, or are being rumored to be interested, in the governorship race.

    One of such Dickson allies is Kemela Okara, the serving Secretary to the State Government (SSG), whose name is on the mouth of numerous stakeholders across the state as a potential candidate, even when he is yet to publicly declare his interest in the race. “One major fear within the PDP today bothers on how the rivalry between the camps of former President Jonathan and Governor Dickson will be managed before, during and after the primary election,” a source said.

     

    The bickering is on

    Already, the two leading parties are at each other’s throat over who will carry the day. Verbal exchanges are fast becoming the order of the day with both the ruling PDP and the opposition APC angling for the attention of the people of the state. During the week, Governor Dickson taunted the APC, saying the party lacked required structures to win the November 2nd governorship election in the state. Dickson said the APC’s reliance on federal might and security agencies would fail them.

    Responding few days later, the Bayelsa chapter of the APC criticised Dickson’s choice of words in describing political rivals and urged him to maintain decent speech. In a statement issued by its spokesman, Doifie Buokoribo, the party condemned comments credited to Dickson during a meeting of PDP stakeholders in Yenagoa. The party cautioned the governor to always speak like the statesman he ought to be.

    Dickson had said: “There are two systems that will clash again in this governorship election. They are the state system which I lead with our teaming supporters and the federal system that will be deployed in this election. As a result, the old way of playing politics must change. Bayelsa is a stronghold of PDP. We are going to prove that again with our voters’ cards in the forthcoming governorship election. We cannot be intimidated by heavy presence of security operatives and political thugs. They had failed in the past. They will fail again this time around”.

    The APC accused the governor of cheap blackmail and said that he was afraid of imminent defeat. It wondered why the governor had to resort to indecent language in referring to the APC and its leadership in Bayelsa. “Gov. Henry Seriake Dickson is at it again. Following the scheduling of the Bayelsa State governorship election, he tells the world that the APC in the state is not a political party but a ‘killer, terrorist’ organisation.

    “We find Gov. Dickson’s vituperations crude, infantile and extreme. Those words are completely unbefitting of a high-ranking officer of the state. But then, we are not surprised at all that Dickson could use such gutter words to describe a rival political party. We have always known him to be a colourless and uninspiring politician,” APC said.

    The gladiators

    If the numerous talks about zoning are anything to go by, then the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District is currently the most favoured to produce the next governor of the oil-rich state. Especially within the ruling PDP, the odds appear to be in favour of a power shift to the area. The first elected governor of the state, the late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, from Southern Ijaw Local Government, is the only governor to have emerged from the area.

    There are three council areas in Bayelsa Central District namely Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa and Southern Ijaw councils. Expectedly, there are many sons of the district in the race to succeed Dickson. As it is, all the three council areas in the district can boast of a couple of aspirants ready to fly their banner in the governorship race in the two leading political parties in Bayelsa State, namely the ruling PDP and the opposition APC.

    Yenagoa is the seat of government in the state but the council is yet to produce a governor for the state since its creation. Thus, there is a serious agitation for Yenagoa to be allowed to do so this time. Jostling for the PDP ticket from Yenagoa are the Secretary to State Government, Barrister Kemela Okara, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, youthful businessman turned politician, Keniebi Okoko and elected member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Steve Azaiki. Meanwhile, Diekivie Ikiogha of APC is also said to have signified interest in the governorship race.

    Already angling for the ticket of the PDP from Kolokuma/Opokuma are some prominent chieftains of the party, including a former Senior Special Adviser to Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa. Other frontline chieftains of the ruling party said to be interested in the governorship contest from the council area are the Senator-elect for Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Doye Diri, as well as the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe.

    And in spite of being urged to allow other councils in the area to have a go at the governorship, the people of Southern Ijaw Council are not giving up without a fight in the struggle to produce the next governor of Bayelsa State. Already Ambassador Godknows Igali, Hon. Kombowei Benson, Talford Ongolo, and the current Chairman of the ruling PDP in the state, Cleopas Moses, are reportedly positioning themselves as possible governorship candidate of the PDP.

    The APC challenge

    But it appears the APC is posing its most potent challenges from outside the favoured Bayelsa Central Senatorial District. Sources within the opposition party in the state say the party’s ticket for the November election is almost a straight fight between two contenders, namely former governor Timipre Sylva and current Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heneiken Lokpobri. The two APC chieftains are yet to announce their aspiration officially.

    Sylva was the party’s candidate in 2015 and lost to Dickson. He is from Bayelsa East Senatorial District and believes he should be allowed to do a second term in office like others who had governed the state. He governed the state between 2007 and 2011 and he is currently the state leader of the APC in Bayelsa State. To most observers of the politics of the state, he is in pole position to clinch the APC ticket ahead of his strongest contender, Lokpobri.

    But supporters of Lokpobri would want you to believe once he declares his ambition officially; he will become the toast of most party members. But his hailing from the same Bayelsa West Senatorial District as the outgoing governor appears to be his biggest challenge. However, his supporters are quick to point out that he is from Ekeremor Local Government Area, one of the three councils in the state yet to produce a governor.

  • Bayelsa urges youths to shun crime

    The Bayelsa State government has appealed to youths to desist from cultism, killings and other crimes capable of hindering development.

    Commissioner for Youths and former President, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide Udengs Eradiri said instead of engaging in crime, youths should discover their talents and channel their energy towards developing them.

    According to him, the Seriake Dickson-led government has robust empowerment programmes for youths in agriculture, tourism and entertainment, and urged youngsters to take advantage of the opportunities.

    Eradiri, who spoke at the Restoration Easter Fest II, organised by the Ministry of Youths, said the event was part of the government’s programmes to showcase the talents of Bayelsa youths to the world.

    According to him, such programmes were necessary to positively engage the youths and promote peace ahead of the November 2 governorship election.

    He said: “We are using this as an opportunity to bring the youths to the front to let Bayelsans see their talents. Most of the energy young people use for crime can be harnessed for development of the state. The more we organise youth-oriented programmes, and youths who unfortunately have been cultists enjoy themselves, the ice is broken. With the constant engagement of the youths, killings and violence are reduced.

    “So, the ministry is trying to organise programmes that will regularly bring people together for regular interactions. We are designing programmes that will, as much as possible, reduce the perceived violence. “Instead of trying to reach Bayelsans to vote for them, they are rather preparing young people for violence. What we will be doing as a ministry is to dissuade the young people from applying violence in the elections.

    “Therefore, our programmes will be geared towards a peaceful Bayelsa, and we have an administration and a governor who is loves peace.”

    Eradiri added that five persons were rewarded with functional smartphones through a raffle draw for coming early to the event.

     

  • Shock, lamentation as panel probes environmental damage in Bayelsa

    Since Sunday, January 15, 1956 when oil was discovered in commercial quantity in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State by Shell Darcy, there has been malevolent environmental degradation in the Niger Delta. MIKE ODIEGWU reports that, bothered about this huge environmental problem, Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson inaugurated the Bayelsa State Environmental Degradation Commission of Inquiry to investigate sharp practices of oil multinationals.

    This is shocking and totally unacceptable,” Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu thundered as he bent with a plastic bucket to scoop raw crude from a pond. The Primate of England was struck with awe at the environmental pollution staring him in the face as he toured the oil-producing communities in Bayelsa State.

    He shook his head in disbelief. He was convinced that nobody and no company, no matter how highly placed, will be allowed in England, his home state and other developed economies, to abuse the environment in such manner.

    In fact, what he sees each time he steps out with his team to visit oil-producing communities is evidence of double standard adopted by oil multinationals.

    Sentamu’s assignment in Bayelsa is not as easy as he earlier thought. The environmental devastation is unprecedented and unspeakable. He is just scratching the surface. Sentamu is leading an international commission of inquiry to investigate sharp practices of oil multinationals resulting in huge environmental damage in Bayelsa.

    Sentamu may have underestimated his assignment when he ensconced in a chair close to Dickson at Executive Chambers of the Government House, Yenagoa where his panel christened, the Bayelsa State Environmental Degradation Commission of Inquiry, was inaugurated by Governor Seriake Dickson.

    But he may have had a glimpse of the taxing nature of his task when he saw that most of the seats in the council’s chamber were occupied by all stakeholders in the state, including traditional rulers, members of the executive council and members of the state House of Assembly. No seat was vacant. Others, who could not find any seat stood throughout the ceremony without complaints.

    The Primate is to be assisted in his task by other high-profile global experts. Dickson named a former President of Ghana, John Kufour; Director, SOAS, Baroness Amos; Head of the School of Law, University of Bradford, Prof. Engobo Emeseh; Prof. Roland Hodlar of the University of St. Gallen and a Consultant, Dr. Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou as members of the commission.

    Others are Prof. Michael Watts of the University of California; Dr. Anna Zalik of Faculty of Environmental Studies, the York University; a Forensic Scientist, Daniel Onifade with a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Wodu Kemasuode to act as the legal adviser to the commission.

    Sentamu and a few of members of his commission, who were present, did not know that the documentary they watched at executive chamber on damage done to Bayelsa environment by oil multinationals was a tip of the iceberg. They were glued to the grim visuals on the projected screen as they watched.

    But Dickson knows the entire story. He was not embarking on a futile journey when he chose to initiate an international commission of inquiry on a matter of grievous consequences but treated over the years with levity by the Federal Government and the oil companies. It is an exposé that will add value to the global environmental campaign of his administration, Rise for Bayelsa.

    The governor’s speech was direct. He appreciated Sentamu and members of his team for accepting to serve on the commission. He said their work would be a catalyst for the immediate change in the condition and ugly narratives of the Niger Delta.

    He said the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in Bayelsa in 1956 launched Nigeria into global reckoning but regretted that the status of the country had not translated into expected development in the region.

    Dickson said: “We know the devastating situation that arises from oil and gas exploration. We know what has been taking place in our communities. We are serious about the issues of protecting our environment as a collective heritage of all humankind.

    “That is why from the beginning of our government in 2012, we made the issues of environment to occupy a central place. I hope the outcome of your work and recommendations will prick the conscience of the world.”

    The governor called on oil multinationals, traditional rulers and youth leaders to co-operate with the commission in its various visits to the hinterland. While appealing to victims of oil exploration to volunteer information to the commission, the governor gave the commission nine months to submit its recommendations.

    The governor said he relied on Section two of the Commission of Inquiry Law of the state to constitute the panel. Reading the terms of reference, Dickson said the commission is empowered to investigate the environmental health and socio-economic and cultural damage caused by the operations of multinationals and local companies operating in Bayelsa State.

    He urged the commission to analyse the existing mechanism governing the operations of the companies and undertake the comparative analysis and assess the suitability and effectiveness of existing mechanism and determine whether same conforms to international best practice.

    He advised the commission to determine appropriate measures to hold defaulting parties responsible and accountable for their activities and to invite evidence from the international communities in Nigeria and within Bayelsa through evidence sections in different locations.

    The governor also appealed to the commission to undertake and receive any scientific or empirical report on the environmental, health, socio-economic and cultural impact of the operations of the companies over the years.

    Others are to develop a set of informed recommendations that may lead to the development of a new legal framework that ensures accountability and to develop a set of action plan for the development of a healthy environment and appropriate clean up.”

    Indeed, not knowing what awaited him on the field; Sentamu thanked the governor for the assignment and said the commission was fortunate to have a number of experts as its members.

    He said: “Oil and gas exploration have had a vast impact on the Niger Delta’s land, water systems and biodiversity.  Hearing the impact of the environmental degradation on the people of the Niger Delta has been shocking. I always say that you can judge how healthy a society is by how it treats the most vulnerable members.

    “I believe that it is essential that light is shed on the impact that oil spills have had on the land and people of Bayelsa State, that multinational oil companies are held to account, and new solutions identified to address this environmental and human crisis. This is why I have accepted the position of Chairman of the commission.

    “Regarding the oil industry and its impact, we are all fellow citizens of God’s earth with a responsibility for one another, as the environment knows no national boundaries.

    “In 2015, I visited Samoa, Tonga and Fiji to deliver a series of lectures on climate change and witnessed the terrible impact of climate change upon the islanders. The crisis there is not simply a matter for the countries in the South Pacific – it is a matter for us all.

    “Over the course of the week, the commission will set out to investigate and gather testimony of the environmental and human impact of the activities of multinational oil companies in Bayelsa State.”

    In fact, the Commissioner for Environment, Ebipatei Apaingolo, added to the theoretical knowledge of Sentamu and members of his panel. He said the environment had entirely been destroyed by the activities of multinational oil and gas companies.

    Quoting some studies, he said over 13 million barrels of crude oil had been spilled since oil was discovered and drilled in commercial quantity in the 50s.

    He said: “It may interest you to know that no form of compensation has been paid to any community. Our people consume crops with traces of carcinogenic hydrocarbons. They no longer thirst as streams and rivers have been polluted as a result of oil spills.”

    The reality on ground dawned on Sentamu and his team as they embarked on on-the-spot assessment and investigation. Their visits to communities opened their eyes to the reckless environmental abuses. There were protests and lamentations by people indigenous to communities devastated by oil spills.

    Protests, shock and lamentations trailed the visit of the newly established Bayelsa State Commission of Inquiry on Environmental Degradation to some of the oil-ravaged communities.

    Members of the commission saw oil slicks covering the farmlands of Egbebiri and Ikarama communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area. They beheld hungry faces of the people of Azuzuama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area as a result of their inability to fend for themselves in their traditional occupation of fishing because of oil spills that have destroyed the fishes.

    With their cheeks in their palms and with goose pimples, Sentamu and his team of experts listened to the gory tales of environmental pollution by no fewer than 35 other communities, traditional rulers, environmentalists and civil society organisations.

    For instance, in Egbebiri, the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Godspower Worikumo, told members of the commission that the last spill caused by equipment failure of one of the multinational oil companies occurred in the community in October, last year. He said the manifold operated by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) spilled crude oil for about 11 days before it was identified by the firm.

    “Our rivers, ponds and farm lands were destroyed by the spillage, which lasted about 11 days before Agip responded. Since then, our community has suffered terrible devastation and our means of livelihood affected as a result of the spillage,” Worikumo said.

    The primate was shocked that an attempt to clean up the spills resulted in further pollution. They saw a pit of fire releasing thick, dark smoke that polluted the air in the environment of Egbebiri community. Crude excavated from the soil was being burnt and the smoke spreading all over the community.

    The team further listened to the lamentations in Ikarama community. An environmental monitor for Amnesty International and youth President of the community, Warder Benjamin, told the commission that it took about 12 days for Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to respond to the several incidents of oil spills in the community.

    “It takes the SPDC about 12 days to begin evacuation of spills whenever it occurs, leaving the community to suffer the effects,” he said.

    He explained that the youth were employed only on part-time basis as look-out personnel for oil spills and that when such incidents were reported to the facility owners, they always promised to remediate the polluted areas; a promise that is not always fulfilled.

    Also in Azuzuama, the commission was greeted with a protest. Placard-carrying youths filed out to protest the devastating effects of oil spills and exploration in their community. Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “Our common sicknesses are cancer, kidney failure and difficult child-bearing,” “Crude oil is a curse rather than blessing,” and “Decades of oil spillage, no proper clean up.”

    It was, indeed, a day of horrible tales as the commission toured the creeks on speedboats. They witnessed some amazing evidence of the devastation caused by spills on the rivers and mangrove stilts.

    An environmentalist and the traditional ruler of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, accused highly-placed personnel of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) of complicity in sabotaging oil facilities for their selfish and pecuniary interests.

    He said: “No oil firm can accuse the youth of the Niger Delta before me because they are the cause of the violence we are experiencing in the Niger Delta. Prior to oil exploitation and exploration, the Niger Delta man lived in a pristine environment with tranquillity.

    “Time and time again, ocean liners and ships that have the capacity of picking up at once the entire crude oil that comes from Nigeria berth at the Gulf of Guinea. They anchor there and wait. They sponsor young men to go and bring crude from everywhere around.

    “Sometimes the oil workers will open the valves and release crude to the barges in the night and these barges bring crude to the big ocean liners at the Gulf of Guinea. Ocean liners are not tiny drops; they are not canoes.

    “They are boats that are so large that an entire kingdom can get into them. And then they collect sufficient crude that they take to Europe and America to sell. So, who is profiting? Is it the man that is sent to go and do some menial, dangerous job or the man that sponsors all of these?

    “You and I do not have the expertise to burst the pipes. For you to burst the oil pipe, you must have the expertise. And where do you get expertise of that type if not in the oil industry? So, the sabotage that they accuse us of is caused by the oil industry. They are the experts.”