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Tag: Bayelsa

  • Bayelsa educates residents on Ebola virus, Hepatitis

    Bayelsa educates residents on Ebola virus, Hepatitis

    Bayelsa State Government on Friday commenced an enlightenment campaign on Ebola virus and hepatitis, as part of it efforts to checkmate the diseases.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ayibatonye Owei, told newsmen in Yenagoa that members of the public should be cautious on the state of the foods they eat.

    He said being sensitive to such things would go a long way to prevent infections from the two killer ailments.

    “I call on all people of Bayelsa to take all necessary precautions against Ebola virus and hepatitis.

    “This campaign will reach out to every nook and cranny of the state; we have jingles on radio and television; so, make good use of it.

    “And you must know that Hepatitis-B is a silent killer; the diseases caused by Hepatitis-B can be prevented by vaccination.

    “Immunisation has gone over 80 per cent in the state on Hepatitis and all the eight local government areas are benefiting,” Owei said.

    Owei commended the organisers of the 2014 World Hepatitis Day in Bayelsa, adding that the theme “Hepatitis: Think Again”, was a wakeup call to control the disease.

    “Hepatitis vaccination is free for everybody; go to any health centre and immunise yourself; all beneficiaries should ensure that they receive the required three doses for complete protection.

    “Ebola has also become a threat to the society; I urge Bayelsans to also inculcate a good washing hygiene of hand, cloths, body and maintain cleaner environment.

    “Everything you do, make sure you wash your hand, avoid using needle or razor blade used by another person,’’ Owei said.

    The commissioner said the state government had placed the health sector on priority list to achieve standard health care delivery system for the people.

    He said that work was ongoing in all the referral hospital projects in the eight local councils of the state.

    “I must remind you once again that `health is wealth’ and the best way to empowerment people is to give them good health.”

  • My encounter with Mr President

    My encounter with Mr President

    THE decision to recount my encounter with the president while he was governor of Bayelsa State is borne out of the compelling need to do a minor background check on him which may afford us the opportunity to juxtapose his behavioural pattern before he became president and his current style of administration.

    Like every other person, my travail in politics is fraught with  pieces of experience sometimes palatable and other times nauseating through the privilege of association with  people in positions of authority .But one thing stands out  which is the fact that I have had to hallow such privilledges by throwing in every thing in my possession humanly possible in other to sustain any political relationship regarding such to be a learning and sowing process  because sowing begets reaping.

    However, as a student of political behaviour I have found some experiences intriguing when analysed alongside  prevalent  political culture. One of such was my encounter with Governor Jonathan on whom providence had deposited the responsibility of piloting the affairs of Bayelsa State in the absence of  Alamiesiegha who was paying his political dues at the time. This opportunity came when Dr Alex Ekwueme with whom I was working took me and a few security details to Yenagoa on the occasion of a book launch specifically that of the chief judge of the state at that time .

    Quite frankly, during the period I worked with the former vice president,  I was opportuned to meet many important  people while  we  were regarded and treated as special guests at every  event or place we visited during which we flew  around in one of the presidential jets but in that very instance I did not know what awaited us until we got to the border line between Bayelsa and Rivers  states where a government delegation, including the chief judge whose book launch  had brought us to Bayelsa, was detailed by the governor to usher us into Bayelsa  from where we were escorted to the Government House into a warm reception by the governor and his wife who wasted no time in accommodating us at the presidential lodge  next to his modest lodge.

    To cut the story short, as we got in upstairs I noticed the full giant portrait of the former Governor Alamiesiegha in the sitting room and I pinched myself with the question is this not the picture of the wanted governor and  from that moment I began to experience the rare kind of humility exhibited by this gentleman politician  who left no stone unturned in making sure that his numerous guests which included governor and a team who were in the state on the official assignment to reconcile political squabbles of dissenting voices among the politicians in that state

    Ben Onyechere,

  • ‘Bayelsa local govts were drainpipes’

    ‘Bayelsa local govts were drainpipes’

    There are controversies surrounding the local government reforms in Bayelsa State. The Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Talford Ongolo, spoke to MIKE ODIEGWU.

    Genesis of the local government reforms

    When we came in, we had over 15,000 staff in the rural development areas and the eight local government areas popularly called the G8. Earlier before our inauguration, the governor because of his deep understanding of the problems besetting the various sectors had set up staff verification panels in all the eight local government areas. They studied the situation and the challenges and came up with various reports. The reports and revelations were mind-boggling.

     

    Removal of corrupt principal officers

    Some of these problems have been aptly captured. It was a springboard. It was revealed that the principal officers were part of the problem. So, when those that are supposed to implement your policies are part of the problems, you have to rethink, restrategise properly otherwise, you won’t succeed. So, government decided at that early stage that part of the reforms would begin with the principal officers. The principal officers were asked to go and beef up the capacity of the local government service commission. All of them without exception were redeployed.

    After they had been redeployed and asked to go on 30-day leave, because they were not even going on leave, a simple verification exercise was carried out in Yenagoa council alone and over N23million was recovered that first month. I went personally to receive the report. That report justifies the redeployment of principal officers.

     

    Non prosecution of removed officers

    This government is more inclined to looking forward. They are not out to punish people. The new principal officers were appointed in acting capacities because they have not attained that level of seniority to become substantive. As a former attorney-general, l have to insist we follow the law. The new principal officers were specially trained in ASCON for two weeks with myself and the permanent secretary present throughout the training programme. They wrote exams. They came back and took over in acting capacities. We want people with capacity to run the local government. Since, then we have been implementing other legs of the reform. We have sent them again for refresher courses.

     

    Biometrics

    We came up with the idea of biometrics. it was christened electro- diametric attendant register with automated payroll system. The simple explanation is that on the first day what the consultant first did was to carry out an enrollment exercise. Every staff in the local government system has to go there. They would take your enrollment details and the biometrics. After that, they started the clocking-in and clocking-out. So, everyday, you will go in the morning to clock-in and after the close of work, you will go back to clock-out.

    After the enrollment alone, people started protesting and even blocked the expressway. Government directed that those who didn’t enroll despite a long period of enlightenment campaign and publicity that their money should be paid into an unpaid salary account. So much was realised. We then went to the nitty-gritty of the matter. The records have justified government efforts. What we are implementing is that if you did not go to work any day, there is no way we can serve you query. People don’t go on a fishing expedition to serve queries. You are queried as you go to work. So, what we are doing now is that if you don’t go to work at all since we don’t know about your existence, we just pay that money into an unpaid salaries account. So, nobody will spend the money. These are the challenges we are having now.

     

    Promotion of workers

    In whatever we are doing, we like to carry Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) along. But it has not been easy. What we did was to organise a stakeholders’ conference where all of us including NULGE agreed on the biometrics. A communique was issued at the end of the conference and the NULGE President also signed it. Whatever we are doing now that NULGE is kicking against is in tandem with the resolutions of that conference.

    We also held another meeting in line with the conference resolution. We held a meeting of all the stakeholders. It was an extended stakeholders’ meeting. The meeting was concerning promotion because since 2008, there hasn’t been any promotion in the service. They told me that the reason was because the system was over-bloated with heavy staff strength and there was nowhere the councils can meet up with financial implications of promotions.

     

    Challenges of reforms

    But no human system can be perfect. There will be challenges here and there. As the challenges come up, we tackle them. People were just siphoning and packing money. One person would have 30 names in the payroll. If you are in an outstation since we are only dealing with workers at the local government headquarters, you are not affected so you are not to clock-in and clock-out for now. We have made it clear that we cannot ascribe to ourselves perfection. Any genuine case; if you know you are in an outstation and for any reason, your name did not appear, go and meet your principal officer and that is the routine. When people come, we clear them. People don’t want change. They just raise these small imperfections to a level to discredit the system. The consultants don’t prepare payrolls. The consultants, after taking records of the attendants, they generate a report. When they prepare these documents, they hand them over to the treasurers. The vouchers are now prepared by the treasury staff.

     

     

  • Bayelsa to expedite work on Siasia Stadium

    Bayelsa State government has promised to release funds to the firms involved in the renovation of the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.

    The contractors were hired to lay a new organic fibre turf on the football pitch of the stadium and create tartan tracks.

    The Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Ebikitin Diongoli, said the problems facing the stadium, including the poor drainage at the exterior part of the complex, would be addressed.

    He said it was regrettable that the development had compelled the state’s football teams to play their league matches in neighbouring states.

    Diongoli assured that the clubs would soon return to play their home matches at the stadium.

    He spoke in Yenagoa when the contractor and the Managing Director of MoniMichelle Sports Facilities Construction Company, Mr. Ebi Egbe and the representative of the FIFA-rated organic fibre turf company, Limonta Sports, visited him.

    The commissioner said the Governor Seriake Dickson administration was focused on completing the project to encourage sports tourism through the organisation of local and international matches.

    Egbe said the Italian-based company, Limonta Sports, was handling the laying of the organic turf.

    He said the company had been given a pass mark on the stone base and internal drainage required to lay the turf.

    Egbe said the football pitch would be ready within 11 weeks, adding that the “MoniMichelle as a company works within FIFA-approved specification.”

  • Bayelsa and its creeks of death

    Bayelsa and its creeks of death

    Mike Odiegwu writes about the activities of pirates who kill travellers indiscriminately.

    Mrs. Timi Iyabi, a young woman in her early 30s, is now a widow. Her little sons Godstime and Daniel including her daughters Idubamo and Deborah are also fatherless. Her unborn baby is the worst hit. It will be born in a home without a father and grow without knowing what having a father is.

    Perhaps, the unborn Iyabi will only be told stories and shown pictures of its late father. When the expected baby matures into adulthood, it will be told the tragedy that befell its father. Specifically, the unborn Iyabi will grow to learn that its father was swallowed by Bayelsa’s rivers of death.

    While still in the womb, the unborn Iyabi may have known that all is not well. Their home in Yenagoa is unusually quite while their hitherto cheerful mother, has not known laughter for over a week now. She is now a shadow of herself. Friends and well wishers are trooping in and out not for merriment but to console the household.

    The untimely death of gentle Awotimigha Iyabi, 42, was indeed shocking and unbelievable. He was one of the victims of the latest pirate attack along the waterways of Bayelsa State.

    Death on the river

    On July 18 the late Iyabi popularly known among his friends as Awo accompanied his political associate and friend, Mr. Alfred Belemote to Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area, to attend a funeral and other social functions. Belemote is a leading aspirant for the 2015 House of Assembly election in the state.

    The two friends and other associates took off from Ogbia water side. But the late Iyabi was being driven in a passport boat owned by his friend. All was well until they got to Ijawkiri and Kinkia Amabuyo creeks in Okpoama waterways. Then came the attack.

    Pirates sighted them and immediately opened fire on their boat. The late Iyabi was hit by a volley of bullets launched at the boat by the sea robbers. He died on the spot. Another passenger in the boat, whose wife was said to be pregnant, also died. Others were injured in the 1pm attack.

    But there is assassination theory in the incident. Some persons claimed that the gunmen were not mere sea robbers. They were said to have targeted Belemote perhaps because of his popularity in the House of Assembly race. Those who are of this view believed that Iyabi  “died the death of Belemote”.

    One of these said: “The gunmen stopped one of the speedboats in the convoy of two being used by the aspirant and were reportedly shouting that ‘he is not here. He is the second boat’.

    “It was at that point they sighted the second boat and opened fire. The mobile policeman attached to the aspirant put up a good fight by returning fire. But the fire power of the gunmen was huge.”

    Despite the theories, the incalculable and irreversible loses were Iyabi and the other dead victim. Indeed, the pirate attack that killed Iyabi was one too many. Bayelsa rivers especially the Ogbia-Nembe-Brass axis are death traps. Hoodlums have relocated to the waterways to terrorise innocent travellers and traders.

    Every day, incidents of sea robberies occur. People lose their money and other valuables and in the case of Iyabi their lives to vicious and cruel gunmen operating along the waterways. The waters seem to have been taken over by hoodlums who lay ambush and carry out deadly attacks most times with impunity. Apart from robberies and murder, people especially expatriates are being kidnapped for ransom.

    Insecurity on the waterways

    Mr. Alagoa Morris of the Environmental Right Action, who often plies the waterways, expressed sadness at the high level of insecurity in the creeks.

    He said “I am saddened by the ever-rising activities and danger posed to those plying our creeks in Bayelsa State; especially in Southern Ijaw, Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas of the state.

    “It is causing travellers and transporters grave concern as lives and property are at stake. As one working for a grassroots organisation which also entails so much sailing in the creeks; I very much don’t appreciate what is happening in the creeks.”

    Alluding to the incident, he said two persons lost their lives on their way to Okpoama from Ogbia. He, however, regretted that no adequate security arrangement has been made by the government to protect travellers.

    He observed: “During my trip also on that same day, I saw Operation Doo Akpo (the state security outfit) in the creeks escorting market boats and at other spots the JTF also escorts speedboats leaving Twon-Brass to safe zones before returning to Brass.”

    He said the pirates had succeeded in painting the waterways as unsafe for tourists and investors.

    In fact, traditional rulers of coastal communities are worried over incessant attacks on their subjects and persons visiting their domains by pirates. His Royal Highness, Sinteh of Twon Brass, Ebiye Golden, painted a gory picture of the development.

    “Whenever we want to travel, we become born-again Christians because of how unsafe our rivers are. The people of Brass Local Government Area are scared and unfortunately the persons doing these things are not from elsewhere. They are Bayelsans and our own brothers. We are extremely scared.”

    He said the state government had directed each local government area to acquire gunboats and enforce security in their waterways. He, however, observed “But the problem we have is that when these boats are coming back from Yenagoa and Ogbia they are not being escorted by the ones from Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas.”

    On the most effective measure to tackle the insecurity, the traditional ruler advised the government to set up houseboats at strategic areas along the creeks. He also suggested that the recently formed Bayelsa Volunteer, a team of youths recruited by the government to enforce security in the state, should be used to reduce the waterway menace.

    But the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Hilary Opara, insists that the state waterways are safe. Opara said most of the attacks occur in isolated cases adding that the victims of the Friday incident were cornered by the assailants at a very remote creek.”

    He vowed to fish out persons behind the killing, describing it as wicked. He said the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has promised to send more gunboats to the state.

    As residents of the state mount pressure on the government to declare emergency on the state waterways, friends and relations of Iyabi could only pay tributes to their late hero believing that his death would put an end to the violence along the waterways.

    “My dear husband, my hero, my best friend, the father of my kids, HOS can I go on without you? I am still in shock. I still can’t comprehend all these. You were everything to me. I promise to stay strong for your kids”, Mrs. Iyabi cried.

    The late Iyabi, who hailed from Nembe Local Government Area, was also very popular among journalists. He was the Head of Protocol to the former Director-General of the defunct Tourism Development and Publicity Bureau, Chief Nathan Egba-Ologo.

    Egba described him as the “purest gentleman l ever knew,” adding that “he didn’t deserve to die a violent death.”

     

  • Bayelsa investment summit: Random reflections

    Bayelsa investment summit: Random reflections

    Barely over a week ago, Bayelsa state government held the state spell bound, with dignitaries all over the world to host the maiden edition of “The Bayelsa Investment and Economic summit”.

    With galaxy of personalities in attendance ranging from captains of industries, political heavy weights, ministers and stakeholders of the nation’s economy, the occasion provides yet another opportunity for the people of the state to tell the world their story of the investment opportunities that abound in the state.

    Key speakers at the occasion include the immediate past National chairman of the ruling people democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison – Madueke, Rewanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria and that of its Kenya counterpart, while the vice president, Alhaji Sambo represented president Goodluck Jonathan.

    Apart from expressing concern over the importance of economic diversification, one common message the key speakers dwelled on, was the need to enthrone peace and security to attract investment to the state and commended the state governor for the bold initiatives at achieving this crucial factor.

    The cynosure at the event was the governor of the state, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson who stole the show, when he mounted the restrum with his admirable huge body frame, with shouts of “countryman governor” rending the air to the admiration of the distinguished guests and the general audience.

    Clad in his native ijaw dress known as “Etibo” with a bowler hat to match, otherwise known as “Resource control” hat, symbolizing the Niger Delta struggle for a fair deal and the governor seized the momentous occasion to tell whoever that cares to listen that Bayelsa is now a safe haven for investors as peace and security pervade the landscape of the state.

    When the governor described Bayelsa state as the “Nigeria’s investment secrets”, the excited audience burst into general laughter, but the underlying reason for the description later unfolded when the forum collapsed into different topics, revolving around the real investment potentials that abound in the state; these include, oil and gas, clay, sand, economic trees, tourism to that of agro-allied products such as sea food, fish, aqua culture, plantain, rice and several others in which Bayelsa has a lot of comparative advantage.

    However one disturbing trend that has become a source of worry to the people is the fact that, successive administrations have been junketing the globe with the same story of searching and bringing investors to the state.

    Yet, there is no single foreign investment to point at except the unnecessary waste of tax payers money. This is where the countryman governor must have learnt his lesson.

    When he took over as governor of the state, there were a lot of pressures on him to hold the maiden edition of the state economic summit. Obviously he was not in a hurry to do so keeping at the back of his mind never to repeat the mistakes of the past by junketing the globe in the name of looking for investors; believing in the  words of George Santayana the Philosopher, who said, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.

    He resisted the idea, not because it was a bad one, but because of the convictions of his restoration mandate; that you don’t just invite investors in the midst of near absence of basic infrastructure, that doing so would contradict the philosophy of George Santayana and the very basic elementary theory and practice of development economy.

    Top on the development agenda was addressing the security concerns that heralded his administration.

    The problem of kidnap which many thought had been addressed and nipped in the bud by the amnesty programme of the federal government reared its ugly head. Cases of cult activities was also on astronomical increase, involving vast majority of the youth population. Several local businessmen and women relocated to neighbouring states because of insecurity. This led to huge capital flight as no businessman would be interested in investing his or her hard earned money in an atmosphere of insecurity.

    A security outfit known as “Doo Akpor” was put in place and strategically located in the nook and crannies of the state, complemented by the revival of the local vigilante outfit called Bayelsa Volunteers to tackle activities of oil thieves and Sundry crimes.

    A programme of rehabilitation of cultists were rolled out, where cultists were given the option of either  voluntarily renounce their membership and embrace the new programme or made to face the new state laws where stiff penalty awaits anyone found wanting.

    Interestingly, the narrative his changed as several cultists have become born-again, while the crime indices have drastically dropped.

    This is where the statement of governor Dickson that “Bayelsa is Nigeria’s investment secret” becomes apt, as it is now justifiable to travel and woo investors to the state.

    According to Governor Dickson, “The level of insecurity we met was the very first challenge that had to be tackled head on. We have successfully executed and reinforced to create the safe and secure atmosphere we now have in the state, ranking Bayelsa as one of the safest states in the nation.”

    On infrastructure, the governor delightfully announced to the audience with a note of emphasis  that, “For anyone who had visited Bayelsa state in the last two years, it is clear that the restoration government has indeed matched words with action in establishing a new economy going by our commitment and achievements in infrastructure like roads, bridges and human capital development”, basically to jumpstart the economic diversification.

    Happily, the government has opened offices in London and Johannesburg to facilitate investments in critical areas of the economy. The Bayelsa Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) is one among other companies incorporated for this purpose. This is indeed a paradigm shift in the economic husbandry of the state.

    Therefore, the first ever Bayelsa State economic forum is coming at the most auspicious time the stage is set for investors to explore.

    While appreciating the enabling environment created by the state government, one step the government need to further take, is to step up efforts at promoting investment in the agro-allied industry in which Bayelsa, right from time immemorial has a good deal of comparative advantage.

    For example, in the Brass-Akassa area of the state, a huge volume of sardine fish known as Sungu in local parlance are wasted. In the month of August, production by the local fishermen and women are in its peak where fishes worth millions of naira are either thrown into the sea or buried because of the absence of storage facilities.

    This is where government can directly intervene by channeling its micro credit facilities for the fishermen to set up small and medium scale industries in the area of cold rooms and large scale fishing under the close supervision of government.

    Moreover, government should beam its investment searchlight in the area of gas flaring, by using its oil and gas company to get directly involved in converting the liquefied natural gas for household use.

    There must be also aggressive drive for public private partnership in the area of road construction because government alone cannot afford the high cost of providing roads for its citizens for investors to come in.

    Apart from addressing the critical sector of electricity concern, government should as a matter of imperative establish industrial estates to attract investors. Today, apart from Lagos state, Ogun state has the highest volume of investors streaming into the state because of the infrastructure such as industrial estate put in place.

    There is no doubt, the state government has taken very positive steps to turn around the economic fortunes of the state.

    Already the dividends of the investment summit is beginning to trickle in. The State rounded off the three-day investment and economic forum by signing a N25 billion SMES development fund partnership with the bank of industry, Mainstream bank and bank of Agriculture.

    Memorandum Of Understanding (MOUs) were also signed with Ostentrade for the development of ceramic tiles, glass and tomato paste as well as bean canring industries; while Proton Energy signed another MOU for the construction of 500 megawatts power and banner energy for the sitting of a gas and mini LNG in the state.

    Besides that, the announcement by the petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison – Madueke that plans have been concluded for the take-off of several petroleum related industries in the state is quite heartwarming. These industries which will open windows of employment opportunities in the state and the Niger Delta in general include, deep seaport and allied industries at Agge, Brass LNG, petroleum refinery at Oporoma and pipeline manufacturing company at Polaku.

    These are short term and long term gains of the investment summit which constitutes critical components in the implementation of the economic diversification policy of the restoration government.

    What the people need is just the political will to create more enabling environment, so that Bayelsa will become the hub of business and administration. By this way, the story narration will be better in the next edition of the Bayelsa investment and economic summit.

  • Waiting for the fruits of Bayelsa Investment Forum

    Waiting for the fruits of Bayelsa Investment Forum

    Last weekend, Bayelsa State government hosted an investment forum in Yenegoa. For the citizens, what matters is the fruits of the event, writes Mike Odiegwu

    All roads led to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital last week. For over three days, personalities from different walks of life trooped into the city.

    It was not the just-concluded Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant that brought them. They came to attend the first Investment and Economic Forum organised by the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, though was absent, was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

    But the ministers of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke; Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur were among dignatries that attended the forum. They also delivered goodwill messages.

    Also, Chief Timi Alaibe, Mr. Uche Orji, Managing Director of Notore Chemical industries, Miss Ivana Osagie, Regional Manager South-south Operations Bank of industry, Mr Balarabe Musa were among the lead speakers and panelists.

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Steve Oru and his counterpart at the state for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, were not left behind. Investors from China, South Africa, Europe and America came to see Bayelsa and her business opportunities.

    The governor was convinced that the event was strategic. It was designed to bring eminent and foremost industrialists, entrepreneurs, tourists and influential politicians from different parts of the world to the state. It was put together to showcase the state as untapped rich business virgin that tasty for business suitors.

    Dickson believed that the programme would act as a key to unlocking the investment potential of the state and move it to the world map as a preferred destination for foreign investors.

    Indeed, one leg of the forum’s objective appears to have been achieved. People, locals and foreigners, came. They kept the state busy for three days. Most of the hotels were fully booked and from the world press conference to the cocktails including practical sections, contacts were established and business agreements were signed.

    Jonathan was concerned about using the forum as an opportunity to identify other investment possibilities in the state. He wanted the participants to be involved in diversifying the economy. He urged Bayelsa to develop other sectors of its economy instead of depending on oil and gas alone.

    Jonathan said: “Bayelsa must diversify its economic base. It should not focus on oil wealth. It should pay attention to agricultural, coastal landscape for tourism, maritime industry and new housing estate.

    “The desire by the state government for development will be supported by the Federal Government.”

    Dickson was in his best element. In an elaborate statement, Dickson sold Bayelsa to the world and told investors the specific money-doubling opportunities in the state.

    He spoke about tourism, agriculture and power generation. He solicited partnership in the areas of road construction, small and medium enterprises development to expand the economy beyond oil and gas.

    Keynote Speaker, Mr. Jim O’Neil, Retired Chairman of Gold Sachs Asset Management, was represented by Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Lord Malloch-Brown.

    He said the need to build an inclusive political government, create critical infrastructure and institutions to gain the confidence of investors.

    In line with the recommendations of O’Neil, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri, said the state was ready to ensure quick dispensation of justice to provide an enabling environment for investment.

    Addressing potential investors, she said: “Bayelsa will not allow any corrupt investors in the state. We will do all we can to allow justice and your business must be in line with the much desired economic growth of the state government.”

    But, Mrs. Madueke said the Federal Government had taken practical steps to deepen its partnership with Bayelsa on a number of projects, including the Brass Liquified Natural Gas (BLNG).

    She said the final investment decision (FID) of the BLNG would be reached in the first quarter of next year adding that the Federal Government intended to create more jobs in the state through various programmes, using the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

    She identified the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) as a critical element of petroleum development in the country. The minister insisted that establishing the content board had propelled Nigerians to participate actively in the petroleum industry.

    Mrs Allison-Madueke, who also visited the office of the board in Yenagoa and was received by the Executive Secretary of the board, Mr. Ernest Nwakpa, and other board members, said the Nigerian content had been deployed in other sectors of the economy.

    She noted that, work on a pipe mill development project at Polaku in Yenagoa local government area was ongoing in addition to the proposed industrial park at Otuoke.

    In his remarks, Dr. Aganga noted that Bayelsa, like Nigeria possesses a viable macro-economic environment for investments to thrive. He noted that the state accounts for more than 30 per cent of the nation’s crude oil production and could do well in agriculture.

    Dickson was able to extract commitments from some of the investors. The state government signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with many companies.

    With Proton Energy, the government signed an MoU for the construction of 500mgw power plant and with the Bank of Industry, Mainstreet Bank and the Bank of Agriculture entered into an agreement to establishment N25billion SMEs development fund.

    Dickson was not done yet. His restoration government entered into pacts with Ostertrade for the establishment of ceramic tiles, glass and tomato paste and beans canning industries.

    Dickson further put pen to paper with the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and four media organisations, comprising Channels Television, Africa Independent Television (AIT), Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Silverbird. The deal was aimed at promoting effective dissemination and management of information concerning government activities.

    The Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobolaji Johnson signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Secretary to State Government, Professor Edmund Alison Oguru and Information Commissioner, Deacon Markson Fefegha signed for the state.

    The governor Described SMEs as a critical aspect of the state’s economic plan, especially the diversification from the oil and gas sector. He urged the people of the state to key into the SMEs programme for the creation of wealth and job opportunities. He insisted that the era of dependence on political patronage was no longer sustainable.

    He presented some certificates of occupancy (C of Os) to Julius Berger Plc and other individuals and underscored the importance of the land title document in addressing the issue of access to business finance.

    Beyond the speeches, Bayelsans are watching. Many of them commended the efforts of the governor. Others are waiting to see the practical transformation of the theme of the forum “Unlocking Bayelsa economic potential: Opportunities and Challenges”, into a reality.

    In fact, they are looking forward to the establishment of ceramic tiles, glass and tomato paste, including beans canning industries in Bayelsa State.

     

     

  • Pirates, police battle in Bayelsa

    •Hoodlums feared killed

    Some pirates were ‘killed’ yesterday morning in a gun battle with the police in Bayelsa State.

    Five pirates were said to have attacked the policemen attached to an oil rig in Gbarain, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    Some of the policemen were said to have sustained minor injuries. The hoodlums lost some of their members; others fled with injuries.

    It was gathered that the pirates stormed the rig operated by Lone Star Drilling Company at 2am.

    A security source, who pleaded for anonymity, said immediately they got to the  area, the pirates opened fire.

    He said the pirates erroneously thought that the policemen on duty were sleeping.

    “Their main target was to remove the weapons attached to a gunboat used to protect the rig. They wanted to steal the guns in the boat.”

    The source said the policemen repelled the attack.

    “All l can tell you is that some of the pirates must have been hit by the police bullets.

    “They fell in the river and it is believed that those who were hit must have fallen into the river. It is expected that their bodies would float after two days.

    “The pirates came to remove the weapons, very sophisticated ones, on the gunboat.

    “They came with a generator and electric filer which they intended to use to remove the weapons. Unfortunately, they were repelled by the policemen guarding the rig.

    “In fact, I was proud of the way the police were able to repel them. I think that will send a signal to others that it is no longer business as usual.”

    But it was learnt that despite the reported killing of some of the bandits, the hoodlums reinforced and came back at 6am.

    The policemen, who were said to have remained vigilant, engaged them in another round of gun duel and forced them out of the area.

    Police Commissioner Hilary Opara said the pirates attacked the rig at Gbarain with the intention of cutting the chain used to secure the gunboat to the rig.

    He said if they had succeeded, they would have stolen the gunboat and eventually removed the police guns.

    The commissioner said the suspected pirates, who came on a speedboat, opened fire first on his men.

    Opara, however, could not confirm if any of the pirates died.

    He said: “If such happened, in no distant time, their bodies would surely float on the water.

    “The pirates came with electric filer and a generator. Their aim was to use the electric filer to severe the chain used for securing the gunboat to the rig.

    “Unfortunately, the policemen attached to the rig were there. After serious exchange of fire, the pirates abandoned the rig.

    “The pirates again came back around 6 am, probably thinking our men had gone. When they sighted our men, they ran back and some swam in the river to escape.”

  • Anger in Bayelsa over pirate attacks

    There is anger among residents in Bayelsa State over persistent attacks on travellers on the state’s waterways.

    Residents condemned last Friday’s attack on a passenger boat by pirates who killed three travelers, including Awotimigha Iyabi, an aide to the former Commissioner for Information, Nathan Egba.

    Iyabi’s killing infuriated stakeholders, who described him as a peace-loving gentleman.

    Friends and relatives thronged his Yenagoa home to sympathise with his wife and four children.

    Members of the Maritime Workers Union (MWU) lamented the porosity of the Nembe-Brass waterways.

    Sailors under the MWU were said to have planned an emergency meeting to review the situation.

    There were indications that the sailors were planning to go on strike over what they described as”insensitivity of the government” and “poor” security situation in the state waterways.

    Also, the indigenes of coastal communities of Brass and Nembe appealed to relevant authorities to step up surveillance operations in their areas.

    It was gathered that the marine officers of the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo, have been deployed in the waterways and creeks.

    A civil rights activist and State Coordinator of the Environmental Right Action, Morris Alagoa, confirmed the rising fear on the waterways.

    Alagoa said the Brass, Nembe and Southern Ijaw areas had been turned into a killing field by the pirates.

    He said: “While we appreciate the efforts by the state and local government councils, it is important for the authorities to redouble their efforts and put adequate logistics in place.

    “Funds should be mobilised to take care of equipment and men to go after the pirates.

    “Communities habouring these criminals should be identified and turned over to the police and Joint Military Task Force. Also, marine police checkpoints should be beefed up. Those arrested should be prosecuted.”

  • Dickson declares Bayelsa accounts

    Dickson declares Bayelsa accounts

    The Bayelsa State government has declared N2 billion as the total amount available in its coffers after deduction of recurrent and capital expenditures spanning three months.

    At the monthly transparency initiative briefing for April, May and June, Governor Seriake Dickson, who was represented by Deputy Governor Gboribiogha John Jonah, said the declaration of the state’s monthly income and expenditure was in line with the administration’s policy of transparency and accountability.

    In the breakdown, Dickson said at the end of April, the state posted a balance of N14.87billion, including balance brought forward from March, which stood at N7.263 billion.

    At the end of May, the state had a balance of N14.621 billion, including N8.938 billion brought forward from April.

    At the end of last month, the state posted N2 billion after necessary deductions, which include bank loan re-payment and services, recurrent and capital expenditure.