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Tag: Seriake Dickson

  • Dickson signs N316. 9bn appropriation bill into law

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson on Tuesday signed into law the 2018 Appropriation bill of N316.9bn.

    The budget contained capital expenditure of N156bn and recurrent of N160bn.

    Assenting to the bill in Government House, Yenagoa, Dickson assured that the budget would enable his administration consolidate on investments made in the state’s economy.

    He explained that the initial appropriation bill was N295bn but that the State House of Assembly, in its wisdom, increased it by N21bn.

    He said the government would ensure the completion of projects in the health and educational sector and boosting of investments in critical infrastructure such as the Eco-Industrial Park and Agge Deep Sea Port.

    He thanked the lawmakers for their commitment to duty and the expeditious passage of the bill, which was brought to them in December last year.

    Dickson urged the members to collaborate with the executive arm in sourcing the resources required to fund the budget.

    The governor who also solicited the continued support and cooperation of the people, especially in the implementation of the ongoing public service reforms, assured them of more dividends of democracy.

    He said: “The Appropriation Bill that I forwarded was about N295bn, but the House of Assembly increased it to N316bn. That is part of the checks and balances that they have exercised. And I know and trust, that in their own case, they will also work with me to ensure that we have the resources to be able to fund this budget.

    “That means, cutting down as much as possible, the running cost of government and we should all be more dedicated to building an efficient workforce.

    “That means, our public service should be up and doing, regulate itself and encourage the best out of it, that can ensure the delivery of the good things that are earmarked for this year in this state.”

    Dickson also signed the bills for the School of Nursing, Institute of Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training and Tourism Development and Hotel Licensing into law.

    Presenting the bills, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Konbowei Benson said the house properly scrutinized the proposal forwarded to it for consideration and passed it in the best interest of the state.

    Benson expressed optimism that the passage of the bills and signing into law would enable the restoration government to carry out laudable policies and programmes.

     

  • Second edition of Dickson football tournament begins

    The Local Organizing Committee of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament has commenced the second edition of the competition with official draws and distribution of jerseys.

    The tournament’s Media Director, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, said the draws for the Restoration Cup earlier scheduled for April 19 would hold on April 18 at the Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa.

    The Restoration Cup is a grassroots, community-based football competition to foster unity and peaceful coexistence among communities in the state.

    Alabrah said Governor Seriake Dickson, whom he described as a sports loving governor, is the special guest of honour while his Deputy Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) is the guest of honour.

    He named the chairman of the occasion as the Nigeria’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) committee member, Dr. Peter Singabele, and the chief host as the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Perekiye Buruboyefe.

    Dignitaries expected at the event are the Chief Executive Officer of Century Group, one of the major sponsors, Mr. Ken Etete, Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Eco-Industrial City Limited, Arch. Amagbe Kentebe, corporate organisations such as Sterling Bank, A & K Construction, commissioners, local government caretaker committee chairmen, special advisers and other top government functionaries.

    He further said the secretaries and captains of all the registered community football teams in the state, sports journalists and officials of the Bayelsa Football Association would be in attendance.

    Others are members of the state referees association, coaches and football stakeholders.

    Alabrah said teams from no fewer than 100 communities in the state registered to participate in the tournament that would run for six weeks.

    The competition, he said would hold in 14 venues across the state.

  • Bayelsa vows to sue Fed Govt over $1bn ECA funds

    The Bayelsa State Government on Saturday vowed to sue the Federal Government if it refused to deduct the 13 percent derivation component of the $1bn Excess Crude Account Funds (ECA) it planned to withdraw to tackle insecurity in the country.

    He state Governor Seriake Dickson earlier demanded that the 13 percent derivation component of the funds should be deducted and deployed in the oil-producing states to address the peculiar  security challenges in the region.

    The state government was said to have formally presented its position to the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is also the Chairman of the National Economic Council.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said in a statement that the government remained adamant on its request.

    Iworiso-Markson quoted Dickson, as explaining that withdrawing the $1bn without deducting and paying the 13 percent derivation to the oil-producing states would amount to arm-twisting them  to make double contributions to the security funds.

    Read Also: Bayelsa creek communities threaten showdown with oil firm

    He said: “The governor said that wholesome withdrawal of the funds inclusive of the 13 percent derivation would mean that the oil producing states would be making double contributions because  they would be contributing their allocations like all other states and then the 13 percent derivation constitutionally provided for, to address security and other pressing needs in the states.

    “Dickson had earlier called the attention of the Vice President, Osinbajo, to the position of the State Government on the proposed withdrawal of the ECA funds last December.

    “The governor had stressed that while Bayelsa was not opposed to the withdrawal of the funds to enhance national security, “the utilization of the funds involving the armed forces, intelligence services and police must cover every part of the country”.

    He added: “The Bayelsa State Government will approach the court to enforce deduction of the 13 percent derivation component from the $1 billion ECA funds which the Federal Government claims it  plans to withdraw  to tackle insecurity.

    “We have held meetings with the Vice President, President Yemi Osinbajo, on this issue. We even backed it up with a formal letter to the President through the Vice President which was taken to Abuja by His Excellency, the Deputy Governor and delivered by hand to the Vice President to underscore the importance we attach to the issue in question.

    “Our position remains the same: while the state government is not opposing the planned withdrawal of the funds for security and indeed the general well-being of the society, it would be unfair and unjust to pull out the funds without releasing the 13 percent to the oil- producing states.

    “An arrangement that compels a group of states to contribute twice to the fund while their counterparts contribute only part of their statutory allocation cannot be said to be just. The constitution is clear on this and we shall approach the court to advocate our position.

    “For the purpose of emphasis, Bayelsa has formally notified the Vice President who is Chairman of the National Economic Council on this matter.

    “That Bayelsa is in support of the withdrawal of the funds to improve the capacity of the Armed Forces and Security Agencies to protect Nigeria and her citizens is not in doubt but we are insisting that the right thing must be done.

    “Governor Dickson had earlier demanded the constitution of a committee of the Governor’s Forum to work with the Chairman of the National Economic Council and heads of the security agencies on the items listed to be procured with the ECA funds.

    “He said that Bayelsa like all other states of the federation would like to know what component of these security procurement would directly benefit the security architecture in the state (Bayelsa State).”

    “He had said that only such an arrangement would suffice in addressing the widespread fears already expressed by various bodies and individuals in the country”.

  • Dickson’s successor won’t inherit sick civil service, says Bayelsa govt

    Bayelsa State Government on Thursday told persons opposed to its ongoing public sector reforms that the move was borne out of Governor Seriake Dickson’s desire to hand over a healthy and productive civil service to his successor.

    The government took a swipe on the opposers of the reforms describing them as unpatriotic individuals and groups.

    “The government wants anyone who cares to listen that it has a responsibility to clean up a system that has been bastardized by some greedy individuals who over the years have taken advantage of the loopholes in the public service to perpetrate all forms of fraud”, it said.

    The State’s Deputy Governor Rear Admiral John Jonah ‎(rtd) made the position of the government known in Yenagoa.

    Though he admitted some minor imperfections ‎in the reform process, he said avenues had been provided for anyone addresses all genuine concerns. .

    “We have a responsibility to reform the system within the limits of human imperfection. Like every other process we know this is not perfect but we are working to ensure a fair deal for everyone”, he said.

    Jonah insisted that the restoration government was working hard to leave behind a robust public service by setting a standard for the next government to leverage on upon resumption.

    He said: “We want those opposed to the reforms to know that it is not a witch-hunt but an inevitable exercise to save the public service from near collapse. The government is not selective in the renewed fight against payroll thieves and robbers.

    “The right civil service procedures wil‎l be followed to disengage those who have either compromised the system in one way or the other or have allowed themselves to be beneficiaries of illegality.

    “Contrary to insinuations in some quarters, we are not sacking anybody but those who have been confirmed to have falsified their age, certificates or have promoted themselves arbitrarily will have to go. These are cases that cannot be overlooked.

    “However we are mindful of the effect of the action we are taking. So what we are doing is give those affected some form of soft landing by given them 3 months notice or 1 month notice of payment in lieu of their disengagement.

    “To show our sincerity in the reforms, we are following the normal procedure as laid out in the civil service rule. As a responsible government we have made it possible for those who due to administrative and humans are caught in the web to seek redress before the judicial commission of inquiry headed by a competent judge”.

    ‎While insisting that the ongoing reforms were done with human face, the deputy governor decried the inability of the government to employ fresh hands because of the malfeasance in the system.

    Jonah also announced plans to‎ employ more teachers with requisite skills to cover up the shortfall as part of repositioning the education sector and enhance learning in public schools across the state.

    He  listed some of the ‎support given to the Niger Delta University (NDU) to include monthly subvention, ongoing senate building, among other projects and dismissed reports of neglect of the institution by the government.

  • Bayelsa students deny increase in school fees

    The National Union of Bayelsa State Students (NUBSS) Worldwide on Tuesday denied reported increase in the school fees of the first state-owned university, the Niger Delta University (NDU).

    The student body warned against a plan by students, parents and civil society groups to stage a protest in the university.

    The President of NUBSS, Mr. Ozu Important, who spoke in Yenagoa blamed the reported increase in school fees on mischief makers.

    He said those peddling the falsehood were only on a mission to cause disaffection between the students and the management of the university.

    While urging parents to dismiss the rumour, Important said that the current school fees were the same with the ones paid in the last academic session.

    He said the student body met with the the management of the NDU and discovered that the school management had not announced any fee increment.

    He said: “We have crossed-checked with the school authority and we can say it without any contradiction   that there is no increment in school fees at the NDU. It is a false alarm being raised by some expired political forces.

    “The leadership of NUBSS is therefore calling on all students at the NDU not to be part of the protest. We heard that some mercenaries have been hired from outside the state to be part of the charade. This is the extent of their desperation”.

    He called on the management of the NDU and striking unions in the university system to resolve all contending issues in the interest of students.

    He commended Governor Seriake Dickson for his commitment to the development of education but    called on   Dickson to “inaugurate the student loan board to enable students to assess loans to augment their finances.”

    He said: “Let us use this medium to appeal to the various unions and the management of NDU to quickly resolve their disagreement for the sake of the students. We want a better NDU that will be the pride for us all.

    “While some schools in the South West such as the Ondo State University  increased school fees from N35000 to N2000,000 as a result of the refusal of the government to release subvention to the institution for the past seven months, the situation in Bayelsa should be commended and not condemned.

    “The state government has ensured consistent release of N350 million every month to the NDU and has not failed”.

  • Bayelsa govt, non-indigenes meet for peace, unity

    The Supreme Council of Non-Indigenes (SCNI), at the weekend, held a crucial meeting with the Government of Bayelsa State, to seek ways of deepening existing peace and unity in the state.

    The council, which comprises all non-indigenes living in the state, met with the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, at the Information House, Yenagoa.

    Iworiso-Markson, told the non-indigenes that the country must embrace peaceful co-existence and promote unity to achieve national integration and development.

    He said the government led by his boss and Governor Seriake Dickson remained detribalised adding that Dickson understood the roles played by people of different cultures to the development of the state.

    He noted that following the matured leadership of the governor, his government had evolved an atmosphere of peace to enable it complete many quality projects in the state.

    “The high turnout of quality projects in the state in the last six years is indicative of forward-looking leadership style of Governor Seriake Dickson. He understands the strong link between migration of people of different cultures and exposure into a young state, like Bayelsa, in dire need of development”, he said.

    The commissioner said the state government considered every residents as citizens who should enjoy equal right and fulfill obligation of taxation and contribute their quota to the social economic well-being of the state.

    He said: “The state government is blind to tribal or ethnic consideration in appointing its officers. The only yardstick for the appointment of several non-indigenes by Governor Seriake Dickson  into position of trust was competence and the value individuals could  bring to the table”

    He commended members of the SCNI in the state for their roles in keeping the peace and urged them to continue supporting thr restoration government.

    While congratulating the council for the peaceful conduct of its election, he assured them of Government support in meeting the objectives of the organisation.

    Earlier, the President-General, SCNI, Alh. Ade Bakare commended the commissioner for his professionalism in managing the government’s image since assumption of duty.

    Bakare said Iworiso Markson had turned the state to a big show that everyone was compelled to watch, adding that Bayelsa is now out of twilight for a permanent seat in the limelight.

    The president-general also hailed Dickson’s urbane leadership style which he said had opened up the state in all frontiers for business and economic prosperity.

    He said: “Dickson’s investment in education is a portrayal of a leader who understands that education is the only worthwhile legacy a nation can bequeath its citizen and that knowledge will drive the state to  prosperity.

    “We thank the Governor for appointing nine members of the organization as Special Assistants and we assure him of our  unflinching support.

    Highlight of the occasion was the conferment of Iworiso-Markson with the patron-ship of the Supreme Council of Non-Indigenes with a promise to perform the formal investiture at a later date.

     

  • Cultists risk 20-year-jail term in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Government, on Monday, took its war against cultism to a different level following the signing of the Secret Cult, Societies and Similar Activities Prohibition Amendment Bill 2018 into law, by the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    The new law prescribes 20-year-jail term without an option of fine for anybody convicted of cultism-related offences.

    Assenting to the amended law in Government House, Dickson lamented the rise in cult and other related activities in the state, especially in Yenagoa and its environs.

    He stressed that, with the amendment, the law enforcement agencies had been empowered to deal decisively with suspected cultists and their sponsors.

    Dickson explained that, the amendment to the law, which had existed since May, 2012, was to check the rise in cult activities among youths.

    He said the amendment was necessary to give the law enforcement agencies more powers to proactively protect lives and property as well as safeguard the future of the state.

    The law also empowers the police and other law enforcement agencies to conduct search on the homes of suspected cultists and sponsors, even without warrant.

    The amendment prescribes that buildings and premises used for cult, activities, initiations as well as the storage of arms and dangerous weapons should be forfeited to the government.

    Read Also: Suspected cultists, police clash in Bayelsa

    The law further empowers the state government to destroy such buildings and premises, without any compensation to its owners.

    The governor called on landlords and property owners not to allow criminals and cultists to turn their property into centre of crime and criminality.

    He urged Bayelsans to report all suspicious and cult related activities to the appropriate authorities.

    Dickson said: “As a government we cannot allow this ugly trend of events to continue unabated.  A situation where children below 15, 16, 17 and majority of our youth population are members of one dangerous cult group or society, where they carry guns and other weapons and shoot, maim, kill  and create insecurity in parts of the State is totally unacceptable. As a responsible government, we must put an end to this and it has to be now.’’

    In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Don Awunah, said the new law repositioned the state in the fight against cultism and cult-related activities in the country.

    “With the amendments, we believe the police now have the comprehensive powers to confront crime and criminality head-on because most crimes in the state are cult-related”.

     

  • Army spreading footprints to deal with security challenges – Buratai

    Army spreading footprints to deal with security challenges – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, has said the Army is spreading its tentacles to have firm grips of all parts of the country to enable it deal with rising security challenges in conjunction with other security agencies.

    The army has been at the forefront of containing menaces of Boko Haram, herdsmen attacks, militancy and other security challenges threatening the unity and peaceful co-existence of the country.

    The COAS spoke at the groundbreaking of the Nigerian Army Barracks, Camp Buratai at Elebele in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    Buratai explained that following the challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari desired a balanced and widespread footprints of the Nigerian Army to confront the threats in partnership with sister security agencies.

    He said the 6th Division and 6th Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State were part of the expansionist project.

    He said the 16th Brigade in Yenagoa, was also made operational on February 28,  2018 adding that he was in Katsina 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th Brigade under the new 8th Division with headquarters in Operation Lafia Dole in Monguno.

    But he said the headquarters in Monguno would be relocated to Sokoto as soon as the menace of insurgency had been fully contained.

    The groundbreaking which will lead to construction of massive infrastructures, was attended by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson and his key cabinet members as well as the Founder/President, Belema Oil Producing Ltd, Mr. Jack-Rich Pein (Jnr) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Azikel Refinery, Dr. Azibapu Erani.

    General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. M.S. Yusuf; Commander 16th Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe and other security commanders; traditional rulers and host communities attended the ceremony.

    Buratai said: “The establishment of 6th Brigade  in Port Harcourt, 6th Division in Port Harcourt and the 16th Brigade in Yenagoa forms an important part of Mr. President’s desire to have a balanced and widespread footprints of the Nigerian Army to deal with the myriads of security challenges facing the country in conjunction with other security agencies.

    “As you may be aware, I was in Katsina about 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th Brigade under the new 8 Division whose headquarters is currently in Operation Lafia Dole, the theatre of operation specifically in Monguno but will soon relocate to Sokoto after the menace of the insurgency has been fully contained.

    “Our current national security realities have compelled the armed forces and other government security agencies to act together in operations in many parts of the country to stem the tides of criminalities and other untoward behaviour that hurts us as a nation.

    “To achieve this, we leaders and instruments of fate must, therefore, put in place necessary measures to look after the wellbeing of officers of soldiers saddled with the responsibility of keeping Nigeria safe”.

    He said the groundbreaking of the barracks in Yenagoa marked the commencement of construction activities planned for the 16th Brigade.

    The COAS said the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari placed premium on the welfare of soldiers fighting to keep the country safe.

    “It is for this reason that the government continue to provide decent living and working environment for troops, their families and dependents while they are away in far-flung and isolated locations at the mercies of adverse weather conditions and sometimes enemies of the state.

    “Thus this barracks that we are about to commence its construction underscores the importance the government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari places on troops’ welfare”, he said.

    He said the groundbreaking was made possible following Governor Seriake Dickson’s fulfillment of his promise to allocate and approve the parcel of land acquired by the Army.

    He said: “The Army has acquired the property and today Dickson has kept his promise. From what we have observed, of the preparation of this new site, so much efforts and resources  have been efficiently deployed. Today’s ceremony is a testimony that with determination and sincerity of officers and soldiers, we can build institutions and regenerate society.

    “The brigade has demonstrated and achieved so much in infrastructural development and enhancement of troops’ wellbeing within one year of its establishment as well as meeting its trainings, operational and regimental responsibility.

    “I commend the commander, officers and men of the 16th Brigade for their innovation, determination and professionalism as well as the clear interpretation of my vision for the Nigerian Army which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles”.

    He also commended the GOC, 16th Brigade for providing the guidance and galvanizing resources to keep the Niger Delta region safe and peaceful in collaboration with other stakeholders in each state.
    He further thanked the founder of the Belema Oil for donating a block of 30 mini flats for the accommodation of soldiers’ families.
    “The project will go a long way in addressing part of the immediate accommodation needs for the brigade.

    “From the headquarters we shall continue to look the way of this brigade to ensure it is set up properly given the very difficult nature of the terrain in this part of the country.

    “The construction parity of the brigade has been noted and will receive deserve attention immediately the 2018 Budget is passed with cash backing for implementation”, he said.

    While receiving Buratai in Government House, Dickson commended him for the establishment of 16 Brigade as well as the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Engineering Corps at the Agge Deep Sea port, which he noted, would enhance security and investments.

    “I am pleased with what the Nigerian Army is doing in terms of security in the state and its development efforts at the Agge Deep sea port, which we are building to enhance our economic and tourist potentials.

    “Going forward, we will like to work with the Nigerian Army to undertake the building of low cost houses, bridges and other developmental projects”, he said.

    He also  said his government’s heavy investments in education had helped to drastically reduce militancy and insecurity in Bayelsa State.

    He said: “We fight insecurity in vain if we don’t first educate our people, particularly our youths to be empowered enough to reason beyond their nose, to properly know and situate the evil of crime, criminality and insecurity in the society.

    Also, Aligbe in his opening remarks thanked the COAS for supporting the activities of the brigade adding that the last one year of the brigade witnessed the beginning of the construction of Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Agge Deep Seaport site.

    He said the past year also witnessed the construction of the 16th Field Engineer Regiment Base at Toru-Orua and the establishment of a command secondary school at Bedebiri.

    He said: “More resources will be invested in future by the Federal Government to build this permanent site of the brigade and affiliated units across the state.

    “We are determined to justify the huge investment in this fighting formation as a catalyst against ciminality in Bayelsa state and criminality in Niger Delta region”.

     

  • Education Trust Fund hits N800m in Bayelsa

    Education Trust Fund hits N800m in Bayelsa

     

    The Bayelsa State Education Trust Fund (BSETF) has recorded N800m contributions from workers, government officials and other categories of persons within ten months.

    The state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on March 31, 2017, signed the BSETF and the state Higher Education Student Loan bills passed by the state House of Assembly into law.

    The BSETF makes it compulsory for different categories of workers including contractors and civil servants in the state to pay education levies.

    Dickson inaugurated a board to administer the fund and appointed a famous educationist, Prof. Turner Isoun, as its Chairman.

    Isoun on Wednesday, while submitting the 2017 Annual Report of the fund to the governor in Government House, Yenagoa, said between March and December, the trust fund received N800m from taxable stakeholders.

    Out of the total receipt, he said N300m was expended leaving a balance of N500m.

    Dickson urged the private sector, particularly corporate organisations and individuals to make contributions to the trust fund, to enable indigent children acquire free and qualitative education.

    A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, quoted Dickson as saying that the programme was targeted at delivering “the democratization of knowledge” in the state.

    He called on the people of the state to take ownership of the education programme and explained that the Fund was aimed at strengthening education to increase the literacy level in the state.

    Dickson commended the Chairman and members of the board for the prudent management of the funds.

    He directed the board in collaboration with the Ministries of Information and Orientation as well as Education in creating the needed awareness for people to identity with the education policy.

    He said: “I call on our people to own this programme, which is for your benefit. This programme is to deepen education and deliver what, I always call, the democratization of knowledge, where we are taking children from the underprivileged circumstances and backgrounds and putting them in boarding secondary schools and taking responsibility for their feeding, clothing books and everything.

    “We are doing that now and the schools are in all the local government areas and we are still working on more. I call on the board to increase their enlightenment.

    “I want to direct the Commissioner for Education and Ministry of Information also to jointly, working together with the board,  to increase the awareness on behalf of the people about the benefits of this programme and then, most importantly, about their duties.

    “I also want to use this opportunity to call on the private sector, especially, the international oil companies that have been making billions of dollars on this soil without giving much back. I want to call for collaboration.

    “I have mandated the chairman and the board to establish contacts with all local and international companies that are operating in this state to assess and impose a special levy.

    “The law provides for the board to assess and levy individuals and leaders of this state irrespective of where they may reside. We expect the board to do more especially in the area of increasing their dragnet.”

    Prof. Isoun also said that the fund would go a long way in addressing the challenges in the education sector and assist the people participate effectively in a knowledge-driven economy.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite and his Information and Orientation counterpart, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the fund was instituted to ensure sustainability of the gains in the education sector and to secure the future of the children.

    Describing the educational programme as highly commendable, they added that, with the fund in place, indigent children would have easy access to quality education.

     

  • Obasanjo inaugurates Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre

    Obasanjo inaugurates Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre

    Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, commended Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa for embarking on projects that would improve the overall development of the state and the people.

    Obasanjo gave the commendation while inaugurating newly built Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre.

    He said the centre was built according to international standard and would assist in improving health care delivery to the people.

    He added that “20 years ago when I came to Bayelsa for campaign, there was no space to gather people, but today, there is great difference.

    “Yes, for full development to take place in Bayelsa, there must be accessibility in terms of transportation, communication and health care delivery.

    “I must tell you, for six hours I am here, I have seen something to convince me that Bayelsa is already in transformation stage.

    “The health facility here is second to none.”

    Earlier, Gov. Dickson said the diagnostic centre was part of his promises to the people of Bayelsa.

    Dickson reiterated his administration’s readiness to continue to work to uplift the healthcare delivery in the state.

    He said the uncompleted 500-bed hospital initiated by previous administration would be given a face lift in the next fiscal year.

    “We will complete the project before the end of my tenure,’’ he assured.

    The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitulah Etebu, said the centre was capable of taking care of the diagnostic needs of people in the state.

    He added that “the diagnostic centre would handle screening of blood, radiology and the result transmitted electronically to international partners in America.”

    NAN