The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Seriake Dickson

  • Dickson succeeded where his predecessors failed – SAN

    A Senior of Advocate of N‎igeria (SAN), Mr. Biriyai Dambo, on Friday, said the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, succeeded greatly in areas his predecessors failed.

    Dambo commended Dickson for the political maturity existing in the state contrary to the political crises that characterized the administrations of former governors in the state.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, he said with few weeks to commencement of political activities, beginning with party primaries, Bayelsa was experiencing relative peace and civility, which clearly revealed the kind of leadership in the state.

    He said in the past, the state would have erupted in violence culminating in mindless attacks of political opponents and other upheavals.

    But he said with Dickson in the saddle, such upheavals belonged permanently to the dustbin of the past.

    Dambo fracas that used to occur between the executive and other arms of government in the state had become a thing of the past, adding that Dickson with an unusual masterstroke brought about mutual existence among them.

    He said: “During Alamieyeseigha’s administration, there was a fracas between the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary.‎ But for six years now that the restoration government has been on the saddle, there is an unprecedented cordial relationship among the three arms of the state government, which is a huge plus for him” Dambo said.

    ‎”The Bayelsa judiciary bill was passed into law on October 14, 2012 and its  basic reason was to establish ‘fiscal Independence of the judiciary’.

    “The Restoration Government wanted to show that it believes in the Financial Autonomy of the judiciary. It means the chief judge wouldn’t have to go to the executive to source fund and that was a welcome development. What governor Dickson did was something very fundamental and commendable”.

    Read Also: Killings greatest threat to our existence, says Dickson

    ‎He told the people of the state that Dickson is a man that came to get Bayelsa out of its deteriorating state.

    He noted that though things might seem difficult at the present because of how past administration squandered money meant for development, Bayelsa is on the right path.

    He said previous administrations did not focus on infrastructural development but Dickson came and build legacy projects despite Bayelsa being purely a civil service state with very little internally generated revenue and the absence of industries.

    Dambo‎ who described Dickson as a visionary leader for building the Bayelsa International Airport because of its socio-economic benefit, added that the airport would further open the state.

    He said: “By the time the Nembe-Brass road is completed, we will put a deep sea port there and with the airport, ships can come in from there meaning business will flourish and Bayelasa will become an industrial hub”.

    On the ongoing civil service reforms in the state, the lawyer expressed optimism that the jobs to be created after the reforms would stop militancy and youth restiveness.

    He praised the Bayelsa Governor ‎for championing the call for restructuring of the country, saying a restructured Nigeria would bring about true federalism.

  • Bayelsa begins documentation of Dickson’s projects, policies

    Prior to the present administration of Governor Seriake Dickson in Bayelsa State, record keeping was not an integral part of governance. From the period of the late Governor Diepreye Alamiyeiseigha to the administration of Timipre Sylva, documentation of government activities was not given expected attention.

    It was difficult to have easy access to government’s information through the website and other researched documents. Even when it existed, the government’s website was empty. It lacked required contents.

    Therefore, it was a Herculean task to effectively track government’s projects, policies and programmes. It was also cumbersome for researchers especially students to compare achievements of various administrations in the state.

    But all that changed with the advent of Dickson’s administration. There have been more determined efforts to document and archive government’s policies, projects and programmes. The website of the state government is richer and more robust with lots of information on various arms of government and their activities. Even the public sector has been automated.

    To further deepen its commitment to ensure documentation of government activities, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson recently assembled a think-tank. He set up a special committee to carry out a comprehensive compilation of Dickson’s policies and projects from 2012 till date.

    It was a 14-man committee inaugurated at a brief ceremony in the Information House, Yenagoa. Iworiso-Markson gave the 14-member committee 60 days to complete its assignment. It was obvious from the membership of the committee that the ministry meant business.

    Dr. John Idumange was appointed to head the committee. Idumange, a lecturer and research expert is currently the Director-General, Programmes of Policies in the state. Other members of the committee are Mike Afenfia, Abigail Onekpe, Chris Odi, Marshall Edolo and Timipha Andrew. Others are Samuel Kikile, Wisdom Poyeri Maria ýOlode-Osume, Dr. Stephen Olali, Arc. Stella Raine and Barr. Amaemi Bekeyei-Alaki.

    Inaugurating the committee, Iworiso-Markson said the chronological compilation of the policies and projects would be produced and presented in different volumes and would serve as a guide for the incoming administration after inauguration.

    Iworiso-Markson who is also the chairman of the State Documentation Committee confirmed that part of the problem faced by government was the absence of a detailed working document from previous administrations. He said the administration of Dickson was desirous of correcting the malady.

    He maintained that with the number of projects embarked upon by the government and with various existing policies, it was only ideal to have a compendium that could also serve as an academic document for students of related and relevant field of studies.

    He urged members of the committee to painstakingly perform their duties adding that they would be remembered for their noble roles.

    He said: “This is one of the most important things that the ministry will be embarking upon. A number of you perhaps may not be aware that a lot have happened in our state in the last six years. We are getting to the finishing point. So, there is a need for us to begin to take stock.

    “Dickson is leaving behind a very significant legacy and for those of us who are privileged to serve in his government, we feel the need to chronicle the outstanding legacies of this administration in a book format and through a dedicated website to guide the next government.

    “It will also guide students of history and posterity. We have started a process of compiling some of the major achievements of this administration in a book titled ‘Finishing Strong’. It comes with a subtitle, ‘Footprints of Restoration’.

    “It will be the most complete account of restoration government developmental strides, the policies and achievements and the legacies. It will also feature photographs of all the projects with a clear narratives of projects embarked upon by this government.

    “If any one needed proofs that governor Dickson will be remembered as the greatest of all times, this book will provide the proofs. The government has been able to churn out policies and initiated projects that have helped to shape the course of government and put the state on a sound path for rapid growth.

    “The policies and projects cutting across various parts of the state are the foundations upon which the government has delivered key promises. Some of them have strong legal backing that will outlive this administration. It will serve as a future working document and also serve as an academic document for students of various areas of studies”.

    Addressing members of the committee, Iworiso-Markson said: “You have your job clearly cut out. You have been carefully selected because of your proven track record of service delivery. All of you are not strangers to the achievement of this government. So it is expected that you will do your best within the time frame.

    “It is important that we do what we are doing. This is not for us but successive government. We want a situation where it will not be difficult for the incoming administration to know the status of certain projects and the existence of some policies. So they can be guided properly as they settle down.

    “This government has done so much since inception. If we don’t have a record of what we have done, a lot of people will not know. So we are putting together this committee to do this tasking job and we believe at the end of the day they will do a good job”.

    Responding on behalf of other members Idumange assured that the the committee would deliver on its mandate. He said the initiative by the ministry was like putting all the achievements of the government in a brain box for future references.

    Idumange said: “Preserving the achievements is like putting them in brain box to serve as a deferent point as well enlighten the youths of tomorrow. If you go to the United State Library of Congress with a punch of a button, you can read all the speeches of JF Kennedy.

    “We shall work around it and ensure we deliver on our mandate. This is a task most administrations have failed to do. This is is going to be one of the most comprehensive documents that will preserve what has been done by this administration”.

    Also speaking, a member of the committee and Speechwriter to the governor, Mr. Michael Afenfia said the documentation would eliminate confusion in future about the achievements of the government.

    “There will be no confusion tow, three years from now, who did what and who started what during the restoration government. This initiative is laudable. The governor has done so much and it will be a shame if there is no document to highlight the projects and policies”, he said.

     

  • Ooni of Ife calls for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called for unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe, language or religion.

    Oba Ogunwusi made the call when Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace.

    In a statement on Sunday in Ile-Ife by Mr Moses Olafare, the Chief Press Secretary to Ooni, the monarch urged Nigerians to always preach peace and shun all acts capable of destabilising the country.

    “Nigeria is our country; we do not have anywhere to go. We should preach unity and give peace a chance so as to have a stable country that will be conducive for living.

    “I look forward to a day that all political parties will converge for the unity of the country and proffer solutions to the challenges we are facing,’’ he said.

    Oba Ogunwusi advised political leaders to prioritise infrastructure such as good roads, electricity, portable water, qualitative education, standard hospitals and job creation, among others.

    The Monarch also commended Gov. Dickson for his contributions towards the growth and development of Bayelsa State.

    Oba Ogunwusi lauded him for his good leadership style, simplicity and humility and for making life more conducive for people of his state.

    The statement also quoted Gov. Dickson as commending the Ooni for upholding Yoruba culture and for laying a good legacy for Nigerians to emulate.

  • Dickson urges Buhari to start work on Brass LNG, refinery

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Wednesday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to remove obstacles delaying commencement of work on the Brass Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and refinery project in the state.

    Speaking at a stakeholder’s meeting of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Yenagoa, the governor said the lack of federal projects in Bayelsa was unacceptable.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Francis Ottah-Agbo, the governor said the two projects would give Ijaw people a sense of belonging and expand the revenue base of the country.

    He lamented the backwardness of the Ijaw in terms of development and urged the Federal Government and multinational corporations to partner the state government to tackle infrastructural deficit in the area.

    Dickson said his administration was working hard with lean resources to fund development projects such as construction of major roads and bridges, schools and health institutions.

    He said:  “I play politics of development. My team and I, came in with anger to develop this place and by the grace of God, we have achieved that to some enviable level with the able support you have all been giving as stakeholders of our great party. And we are determined to do more before we leave office for another PDP government.

    “I say so because only the PDP can win any election in this state. The people of Bayelsa have seen our capacity to deliver on our promises even in the face of the worst recession that hit this state and the country in general.

    Read Also: Dickson orders arrest of LG official

    “As I speak with you, work is ongoing on in the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road and we are sure of driving to Ekeremor Town by December this year. In the next few weeks, I will invite you and we all drive to Aguobiri in Southern Ijaw. Also, clearing of the Yenagoa-Ayama,Ogbia road will start in the next two weeks.

    “All these are capital intensive projects and that is why we are calling on the Federal Government and other development partners to come to our aid. In one of my meetings with the President, I told him to bring back the Brass LNG and the Refinery Projects and also convene a stakeholders meeting to talk about the Nembe-Brass Road.”

    Dickson further urged PDP faithful with ambitions to contest the forthcoming state and National Assembly elections not to heat up the polity but maintain the discipline and decorum existing in the state chapter of the party.

    Describing all political ambitions as legitimate, he asked the aspirants to pray and consult properly with readiness to uphold party supremacy as the state PDP would only feature its best in the upcoming elections.

    He thanked the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who defected to the PDP, reassuring them of full reintegration and support.

    Some of the dignitaries at the stakeholders’ meeting were the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral  John Jonah (Retd),  Chief Walter Feghabo-Amain, State PDP Chairman, Moses Cleopas, Senators Ben Murray-Bruce, Nimi Barigha Amange, Emmanuel Diffa, AVM Larry Koinya, members of the Federal House of Representatives and  Fyneman Wilson among others.

  • 13% derivation not enough to develop Niger Delta – Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson on Tuesday said the 13% derivation principle was a mockery of the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta.

    The governor said the 13 percent derivation was not enough to develop the Niger Delta region.

    A statement issued by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Francis Agbo said the governor spoke on Tuesday during a live media chat in Ijaw language in Government House Yenagoa.

    The governor argued that only restructuring would guarantee sustainable peace, stability and development in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country.

    He lamented that the people of the region particularly the Ijaws were being treated as second class citizens in the country, as their resources were exploited by the Federal Government and its agencies.

    He said: “I have said it time and time again that the 13% derivation  they are giving to us can never be enough to tackle our development needs at the pace we want. And that, restructuring is the only veritable means to achieve sustainable peace, stability and prosperity not only in this our region but throughout the country.

    Read Also: Dickson orders arrest of LG official

    “For how long will the Federal Government and indeed all the supporters of this great injustice continue to treat us as slaves? What they call oil blocs are our ancestral lands but we are the people that are excluded from the ownership and use of this our God-given property.

    “Take Bayelsa, for instance, where the Federal Government is doing almost nothing to support our development effort. We are the ones building all our schools, hospitals, roads and bridges to link our communities in this state. Is that fair?

    “That is why I expect every right thinking Ijaw or Niger Delta person and true Nigerians to support our clamour for restructuring because that is the right thing to do so that every part of our country will have a sense of belonging.”

    On the ongoing state public service reforms, the governor restated the need for  Bayelsans to discountenance the propaganda and blackmail orchestrated by detractors, stressing that no genuine worker would be adversely affected.

    He said through continuous verification and other measures, his administration pruned down the over bloated wage bill of about N6bn  it inherited at inception of his government  to N3.8bn at the end of last month.

    Dickson who urged the people not to see civil service as the best occupation, assured them of government preparedness to assist them go into commerce and other private businesses, which he noted, are more lucrative.

    He called for more support and prayers for the success of the reforms and other programmes adding that he had directed the appropriate government officials to announce the commencement of the recruitment of 1000 graduates into the public service by next week.

    Dickso assured Bayelsans of fairness and transparency in the recruitment process.

    The governor asked the public to report any government official who indulges in nepotism and other sharp practices that would jeopardize his administration’s goal of leaving behind an efficient and result-oriented civil service.

  • Dickson orders arrest of LG official

    For collecting 300 persons’ salaries monthly

     

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has ordered the arrest of an official of a local government area for collecting the salaries of 300 persons as his wages every month.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, disclosedon Monday that the official defrauded the council for many years before the ongoing public sector reforms in the state exposed the sleaze.

    Speaking at the made the beginning of a town hall meeting on civil service reforms in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, the commissioner said the suspect was an accountant in one of the local government areas at the Central Senatorial District.

    Though the commissioner refused to disclose the name of the suspect and the particular local council where he worked, Yenagoa, Southern Ijaw and Kolokuma-Opokuma are local councils at the centre.

    But Iworiso-Markson said the suspect had defrauded council to the tune of hundreds of millions of naira before Dickson’s reforms caught up with him.

    He said the fraudulent local government worker was known for acquiring choice houses, estates and parcels of land across the state.

    Iworiso-Markson said: “Recently, Governor Seriake Dickson had to order the arrest of an official of a council. He (the official) was collecting salaries of 300 people. Yearly, the officer fraudulently receives hundreds of millions of naira.

    “That is in just one LGA and there are many places like that in the state. Some people are employed in civil service today, yet there is no document in their files. Instead, they were employed with affidavit.

    Read Also: Dickson lied on plot to destabilize Bayelsa, says Sylva

    The same people who do not have any documents and qualifications are collecting salaries of level 14 workers and above.

    “At the Bayelsa State Transport Company, you find a situation whereby you have about 180 drivers, but there are only five or six vehicles for them to drive. You can see the level of rot in the system. So, if we must be sincere to ourselves, we must all agree to join hands with the government to clean the mess in the system.”

    He insisted that the reform had come to stay, appealing to  the people of Bayelsa to collectively redeem the state from collapse.

    He said though people kicked against reform everywhere, sanitising the state’s public sector must be done to reedem the image of Bayelsa.

    He said: “Today, everywhere you go now, people talk of Bayelsa as a model. All these are because of the bold steps the Seriake Dickson-led administration has taken to redeem the state from payroll fraudsters and syndicates.

    “This government has initiated a lot of programmes since its assumption of office six years ago and those programmes have become a reference point to other states. We want to assure the people that the reform has human face. Governor Dickson has reiterated that nobody will be sacked  except those who use their hands to sack themselves.

    “People who falsify their documents, their ages, buy appointment letters, earning salaries from more than one place and other criminal acts have used their own hands to sack themselves.”

    Also speaking, the Chairman, People’s Democratic Party Caucus in the state, Chief Godwin Odinka, hailed the Governor for initiating the reforms.

    He said that successive administrations in the state could not muster the political will to carry out such programmes.

    The 86-year-old Odinka, advised that in cleaning up the system, care should be taken not to make the reform look as a witch-hunt.

    He said: “In cleaning the system, caution must be exercised so that people will not think it is intended as a witch-hunt on workers. What we want in this reform is a win-win situation.

    “We must commend Governor Dickson for his courage in initiating these reforms in the civil service. Past administrations in the state could not do it because they lack the political will and courage to do so. We are advocating that the reforms should have human face.”

    In his remarks, the Caretaker Chairman, Yenagoa LGA, Mr. Oboku Oforji, said the reforms recorded positive impact on the revenue of the council.

    He said the council was able to realise millions of naira from payroll fraudsters, a situation that had improved the resources of the council.

    He said when the reforms began, the council had a total staff strength of 1,483 but as of 2018, after weeding out ghost workers, the staff strength was slightly over 900.

  • Dickson lauds Buhari on Abiola, demands action on restructuring

    Asks FG to honour Humphery Nwosu

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson on Friday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for immortalizing the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola.

    The governor said that, though, the award was belated, the gesture would partly address the wrongs of the past and strengthen democracy, insisting that, it was better late than never.

    But the governor  called on PMB to declare Abiola as a President that was never sworn in and urgently sponsor an executive bill to the National Assembly in order to legitimize it.

    He said declaring June 12 as Democracy Day, giving national honour to Abiola’s running mate,  Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as well as, giving posthumous national awards to Abiola and the late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi were in order.

    The governor, however, called on Buhari to show the same political will and patriotism on the critical issue of restructuring Nigeria.

    He said the President should ensure that Nigeria is restructured with power devolved from the centre to the federating units and fiscal federalism enthroned to guarantee balance, peace, prosperity and stability in the country.

    He said a restructured Nigeria would address the dysfunctional system, over concentration of power at the centre, pseudo- federalism and the expropriation of the resources of the Niger Delta.

    Read Also: Abiola, Gani families hail Buhari for honours

    While stressing that, those championing the cause of restructuring were the real patriots, the governor believed Buhari would etch his name on the sands of time and become “a Nigerian hero of all times, if he restructures the country.”

    The governor  also urged the President to honour the then Chairman of National Electoral Commission (NEC), Professor Humphrey Nwosu with a national award for his uncommon courage and commitment to the conduct of  transparent elections in June, 1993,  stressing that, what is good for the goose is also saucy for the gander.

    He said: “I commend the President for the courage to immortalize the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election with the highest national honour of GCFR as well as declaring June 12 as Democracy Day.

    “Having honored Abiola with the highest award only reserved for presidents or heads of state, I urge him to declare Abiola a president that was never sworn in, and then go a step further to Gazette and sponsor a bill to the National Assembly to legitimize his proclamations backed by law.

    “He should also honour the then Chairman of National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Humphrey Nwosu for the courage to conduct a transparent election for what is good for the goose is same for the gander.

    “As member of House of Reps, I co-sponsored a bill to immortalize MKO Abiola to address the wrong done to Abiola and our democracy. So I believe by the president’s proclamation, he continued from where we stopped and in my opinion, it was the right thing to do.

    “Though it is belated but it is better late than never! I want the President to show the same political will and patriotism on the burning issue of Restructuring Nigeria to address the wrong done to the Nigeria people.

    “I believe restructuring will balance the dysfunctional system, guarantee peace, prosperity and stability in the country where everybody has equal stake. Those clamouring for restructuring are the real patriots. PMB will etch his name on the sands of time and become a Nigerian hero of all times if he restructures the country”.

  • Governor Dickson resolves Amassoma crisis

    …NDU to reopen soon

     

    The Bayelsa State Government, on Friday, took positive steps to resolve the crisis that engulfed Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The State Governor, the Honourable Seriake Dickson, who held meetings with various stakeholders, including the leadership of the community and the Governing Council of the Niger Delta University (NDU), expressed regrets over the sad incident and assured that the government would pick the bills of the injured and the burial expenses of the victims.

    He said a formal delegation would also be sent to commiserate with the bereaved families while those detained by the police would be released, stressing that efforts were on to ensure the reopening of NDU to resume academic activities as soon as possible.

    He called on the people of the state to be wary of those he described as failed political leaders and desperate aspirants bent on fomenting crisis to destabilise the state.

    A press release by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said Governor Dickson, who was accompanied to the meeting with the Amassoma community by former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, described the incident as unfortunate, sad and avoidable and urged the people not to take the laws into their hands.

    He said the government would set up two separate committees to examine the immediate and remote causes of the disturbances as well as promote genuine reconciliation, peace and unity in Amassoma.

    Read Also: Bayelsa’s troubled university

    While noting that his administration had made unparalleled investments in the university, he decried the attitude of politicians who always capitalised on the institution as a vulnerable avenue to instigate crisis to blackmail the government.

    Governor Dickson urged Bayelsans to always guard against misinformation and propaganda peddled by such politicians whom he noted was envious of the present administration’s track record of achievements in the last six years.

    He maintained that Amassoma occupies a special place in his heart, which informed his administration’s decision not only to invest in the development of NDU but also siting of its single biggest investment, which is the N80 billion Bayelsa international airport project in the community.

    His words: “The NDU remains a state-owned university, completely funded by the government of Bayelsa State. And that is an institution where all Bayelsans have an equal stake.

    “With the investments we have made and continue to make, it is very clear that our plans for the NDU are good apart from the administration that took the step to set up the institution. We must commend them for their vision and foresight. There is no other government in Bayelsa State that has put in more resources, time and energy towards building a sustainable NDU than this government.

    “So I call on people to ignore the propaganda by failed political leaders in this state and desperate politicians who have nothing to show for their ambitions and for their plans; those who want to install their cronies.”

    In his remarks, Chief James Ibori expressed support to the reform agenda of the state governor and urged the people, especially Amassoma community, to rally round government to attract more development.

    In his presentation, the representative of the youth leadership of Amassoma, Mr. Simeon Ayogoi, condemned the action of the youths who attacked the police operatives drafted to maintain law and order in the community.

    He also took a swipe at the police for firing live bullets, describing the conduct as most unprofessional.

    The meeting, which observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the crisis, had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson, Head of Service, Rev. Thomas Zidafamor, chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete Spiff.

    The Ebenanaowei of Ogboin Kingdom, King Oweipa Jones Ere, Amananaowei of Amassoma community, Major Graham Naingba (rtd), and other stakeholders represented the community.

    Earlier, the governor met with the NDU management team, including the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Steve Azaiki, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo at the Government House, Yenagoa.

  • No stability without devolution of power, restructuring – Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, said on Thursday Nigeria was in dire need of restructuring and devolution of power.

    The governor said without restructuring and devolution of power there won’t be stability in the country.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Stressing that there was need to carry every section of the country along, Dickson said the government should urgently have a change in the approach to security management especially in the Niger Delta.

    The governor said he had a frank discussion with the President on the ongoing debate for restructuring of the country.

    He said: “I am here this afternoon to see the President and to confer with him on critical national issues and matters that are pertinent to the stability, security and development of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region.

    “And we had a very fruitful discussion and I am grateful to the President for the opportunity he afforded me to intimate him on the challenges and the prospects.

    “You recall that since my re-election this is the first time I would be here. I am not a regular visitor here. So I thank the President for availing me the opportunity to share perspectives on very serious issues on security, stability and development of Bayelsa and the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

    “We talked about the need to revisit the Brass energy, we talked about the need for change in approach to security management in the Niger Delta. We also talked on the challenges of stabilizing the Niger Delta and the need for federal support.

    “We talked about a whole range of other issues including what we think should be the final response to the ongoing debate on devolution and I believe that we had a very fruitful interaction

    “I had a discussion with the President. He is the President and Commander-in-Chief, he is the leader of the country and these issues are beyond partisan politics and we had a frank discussion.

    “He understands the issues because he served in that region during the war when he was a younger officer, he is familiar with the challenges that I have come to discuss with him and I look forward to collaborating and working with the President with the security officials to advance security in the region.

    “Governors of the Niger Delta region are doing a lot and as governors we will continue to do our best, working with the security agencies. We should be apolitical in supporting constituted authorities in the states. We expect that this interaction will yield positive results.”

     

     

  • Riot: Dickson to meet with leaders of varsity community

    APC, PDP trade words 

     

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has scheduled a meeting with leaders of of Amassoma, host community to the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) following a violent protest that claimed some lives and injured others in the area.

    Dickson in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agbo, said the meeting was sequel to the unfortunate and avoidable destruction of public and private property, the breakdown of law and order, as well as the reported loss of lives in Amassoma.

    He named persons invited to attend the meeting as the Ibenanaowei of Ogboin Kingdom and his Council of Chiefs, the Amananaowei of Amassoma and his Council of Chiefs, representatives of the Community Development Committee (CDC) and a select leaders of the Amassoma community, including the women and youth leaders.

    The statement warned that late comers would not be allowed into the venue of the parley scheduled for May 25 at the Governor’s Conference Hall in Government House, Yenagoa.

    But the People’s Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) continued to attack each other following the violence in NDU.

    PDP accused the APC of plotting to destroy the NDU, a legacy  of late forner Governor Diepreye Alamiyeiseigha.

    The PDP alleged that the opposition party in the state was  a band of cultists, mischief makers and unscrupulous elements masquerading as party members.

    The PDP said that the Bayelsa APC hounded the pioneer civilian governor of the state, Alamieyeseigha to his untimely death and was planting insecurity in his community to destroy his biggest legacy.

    The state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Moses Cleopas, said in a statement that declaration by the APC that the attackers of security operatives deployed to maintain peace and security in the NDU were their party officials only exposed the APC as a party of criminals.

    Read Also: 2019: Dickson seeks restraint in use of power

    Cleopas said that the APC statement showed that the party organized and sponsored the hoodlums and cultists who unleashed unprovoked mayhem on security operatives, the people of Amassoma and the Niger Delta University on Tuesday.

    He lamented that an APC faction hijacked complaints emanating from the ongoing implementation of the public sector reforms to cause mayhem in the community and the university in a failed bid to discredit the PDP government in the state.

    The PDP Chairman said that it amounted to sheer absurdity for the APC faction to mastermind attacks on the university because of the decision of its governing council and management to retire personnel most of who are between the ages of 65, 70 80 and above.

    But the APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary-elect, Doifie Buokoribo condemned as callous the attempts by the PDP-led government to justify the killing of protesters by the police in Amassoma on the excuse that the victims were cultists and hoodlums.

    APC queried the criteria adopted by the government to designate people as criminals and extra-judicially direct their killing.

    The party said the government by the statement and its attitude to the killings “simply confirmed our belief that ‘the victims were deliberately targeted in a way that shows he is completely destitute of human feeling”.

    The party said Dickson’s deceptive statement on the Amassoma killings ran contrary to every news report on the incident, stressing that no amount of lies could wash off the blood of the victims on the government’s hands.

    The statement said: “After a lot of twisting and turning, PDP on Wednesday acknowledged the truth that those it sent the police to shoot and kill in Amassoma were protesters.

    “But unable to find a reasonable ground for its act, PDP lied that the victims were cultists and hoodlums. The Nigeria Police in Bayelsa contradicted the government’s account in its statement on Wednesday, when it maintained that what they met in Amassoma were a crowd of protesters.

    “What we do know is that under our laws, the people have an inalienable right to peaceful agitation, a right which the residents of Amassoma were exercising on that black Tuesday when they were mowed down by the police.

    “All major news reports that day on the incident confirm this. The government attempt to justify the killing of the protesters is the height of callousness against the very people he claims to have the mandate to protect and provide for. No amount of lies can cleanse the blood of the victims on his hands.

    “The government’s position that the people must die because they are APC members also runs against moral and democratic thinking. It has simply confirmed our belief that ‘the victims were deliberately targeted in a way that shows a complete lack of emotion”.