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Tag: Seriake Dickson

  • Dickson presents N295bn budget for 2018

    Dickson presents N295bn budget for 2018

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Friday presented an appropriation bill of N295 billion to the state House of Assembly for deliberation and approval for the 2018 fiscal year.

    Presenting the budget on the floor of the House in Yenagoa, Dickson said the estimates comprised a capital expenditure of N146.9 billion.

    The Appropriation Bill is christened “Finishing Strong on Development, Stability and Prosperity Volume One.”

    The governor said the budget would focus on consolidation and completion of ongoing capital projects, particularly the three senatorial roads and the state airport.

    Dickson, who described the outgoing year as ground breaking and challenging, expressed the hope that there would be increased revenue as evidenced in the rise in federal allocation in the last two quarters of the year.

    On sectoral allocations, Dickson announced N36 billion for Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, which got the lion share, followed by Education with over N22 billion while health had N8.5 billion.

    The Ministry of Power was allocated N6.5 billion; Ministry of Information got N2 billion and N2.5 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Lands and Survey.

    N2 billion was earmarked for Community Development.

    Others are Science and Technology which got N1 billion with Trade, Industry and Investment receiving N4 billion.

    The governor assured that by 2018, the government would do more work on education development.

    NAN

     

  • Secondus pledges total reconciliation in PDP

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has restated his commitment to full reconciliation and inclusion of all aggrieved members in the bid to reposition the party.

    A statement issued by his media aide, Bisi Ezekiel, said Secondus stated this while receiving the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

    The PDP chairman said he is committed to the implementation of his three Rs namely – rebuild, reposition and regaining of power.

    He said: “Power belongs to God. It is the Almighty God who put us here and we have to be fair and just.”

    Secondus told the governor and his delegation that he had commenced reconciliation efforts with his visit to Chief Olabode George and assured that he would ensure a united front with justice and internal democracy within the party.

    Governor Dickson urged the chairman not to relent in his reconciliation efforts.

    He said many Nigerians are looking towards the PDP for salvation.

    “We are here to congratulate the chairman and the new leadership. We appeal that all aggrieved members should be reintegrated to ensure a united front for the party ahead of 2019,” the governor said.

     

     

  • PDP delegates reject constitutional amendment on women

    PDP delegates reject constitutional amendment on women

    Delegates to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention in Abuja have rejected constitutional amendment which provided one deputy national chairman position for a female member.

    The delegates voted emphatically against the proposal.

    A total of 2124 delegates were accredited for the convention.

    However, some sections of the party’s constitution were amended via a motion by Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

    According to Dickson, the proposed amendments include the preamble of the PDP Constitution to reflect current realities.

    Some of the clauses amended were Section 8 and 50 to ease the process of rejoining the party by former members.

    They were also amended to reduce the minimum period of membership by returnees and new members before they can stand for election on the party’s platform.

    Section 29, 30, 31, 35 and 45 were amended to provide for two deputy national chairmen and make the six national vice chairmen of the party members of its National Working Committee.

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  • Bayelsa urges police to fish out killers of cattle dealers

    Bayelsa urges police to fish out killers of cattle dealers

     The Bayelsa Government has called on the Police and other security agencies to apprehend the killers of a prominent cattle dealer, Alhaji Jibril Abdulkarim, and three of his aides.

    The cattle dealer and three of his aides were shot dead at his private abattoir in Yenagoa on Dec. 2.

    Abdulkarim was a member of the Bayelsa Committee for the Management and Control of Ranches, and Chairman Cattle Breeders Association ( CBA ) in the state.

    Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa in a visit to commiserate with the families of the deceased, condemned the reprehensible act.

    Dickson, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr Talford Ongolo, assured the families of the state government’s efforts to fish out the perpetrators.

    He said that the State Government would collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that those behind the heinous act were arrested and brought to justice.

    The governor, who was accompanied by other top government officials and security chiefs in the state, described Abdulkarim as a peace loving, law abiding and easy going businessman who was a friend to all, including the government.

    “As a government, we condemn it and we shall work closely with the security agencies to apprehend the criminals who committed these unacceptable acts in order to bring them to book.

    “Alhaji Jibril was a good man; he was very easy going. He worked closely with our government to promote peace and unity among all in the state.

    “He was never caught violating any law and we are indeed shocked to hear of his gruesome murder alongside some of his boys,” Dickson said.

    He warned that the state government would not tolerate crime and criminality, stressing that those behind the killings shall not go free.

    He urged the security agencies to intensify efforts until the perpetrators behind the killing of innocent people were apprehended and prosecuted.

    NAN

  • Governors urge FG to increase allocation to states

    Governors urge FG to increase allocation to states

    The South-East and South-South Governors’ Forum on Monday called on the Federal Government to increase allocation to the states from the Federation Account.

    The governors made the call in a communiqué at the end of the forum’s meeting in Uyo.

    In the communiqué signed by its Chairman, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, the forum expressed concern that in spite of increase in oil price and production level, revenue accruing to states had not reflected such realities.

    “The forum therefore urges the Federal Government to ensure improved revenue allocation to the states to reflect the current realities to enable the states meet the yearnings and expectations of their people.

    “The forum also proposed that the Federal Government should relinquish all federal roads to states, where such roads are located, facilitate legislation that would ease concession of the roads,” the communiqué said.

    The governors appealed to the Federal Government to intervene urgently to improve the current state of some critical infrastructure located in the South-South and South-East.

    According to the communiqué, the forum mentioned some of the infrastructural facilities to include airports in Calabar, Enugu, Imo and Port Harcourt as well as roads located in the zones.

    The forum expressed concern over alleged shoddy approach to infrastructural development by some intervention agencies of the Federal Government operating in the regions.

    It, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to direct the agencies to liaise with state governments in the identification and execution of projects.

    It expressed belief that the approach would ensure that projects carried out by intervention agencies were in synergy with the developmental agenda of the states.

    The meeting was attended by Udom Emmanuel, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu.

    Others were Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ivara Esu and Dr Nkem Okeke, both Deputy Governors of Cross River and Anambra.

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  • CBN, Dickson, others laud Mosilo Bayelsa Rice Outgrowers Scheme

    CBN, Dickson, others laud Mosilo Bayelsa Rice Outgrowers Scheme

    The Governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson has praised Moses Siloko Siasia for initiating the Mosilo Bayelsa Rice Outgrowers Scheme, stressing that it will improve the economy of the state, create jobs and make the state a major player in the rice farming and processing industry in the country.

    The scheme, expected to create jobs for over 20, 000 people, is the initiative of Mosilo Group, a multi-billion naira business empire, with huge investments in engineering, real estate, oil and gas, agro processing and project management.

    Speaking at the flag off of the scheme in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson stated that the initiative is in line with the agricultural policies of the state and pledged government’s support to enable the scheme succeed.

    Represented by the state Commissioner for agriculture, Prince Doodei Week, the state governor lauded Moses Siasia for the project, saying he has made the state proud and called on other Bayelsans to emulate him.

    Dickson expressed optimism that the project when fully operational will engage the people of the state positively and urged Bayelsa farmers and intended farmers to embrace the scheme while reassuring the investor of Bayelsa State commitment in providing an enabling environment for the scheme and the 40,000mt per year Rice Milling Plant.

    Moses Siasia

    The Chairman/CEO Mosilo Group, Mr. Moses Siasia stated that the scheme was born out of his desire to harness the agricultural potentials of the state in the area of rice value chain, adding that the scheme will generate at least 3,417 direct and 20,000 indirect job opportunities, including ancillary jobs among others.

    He explained that the model is 7,000ha for cultivation directly by Mosilo group as a nucleus estate and 3,000ha to be planted by the Outgrowers in different local government areas.

    He noted that interested Bayelsans with at least two hectares of land can be part of the scheme as Mosilo global Services will support them with training, provide them with seedlings and will buy off the rice paddy from them after harvest.

    Mr. Tonye Isenah, Chief Whip of the state House of assembly, Mr. Kemela Okara, Commissioner of Trade & Investment and SSG designate; Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd), the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme; Engr. David West Managing Director of Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, representatives from Bank of Industry, Central Bank of Nigeria and The Nigerian Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending NIRSAL and other dignitaries lauded the company for the project and called on Bayelsans to be part of the scheme as it will improve not just the financial status of individuals but the economy of the state.

  • Convention will determine PDP ‘s fate, says Dickson

    Convention will determine PDP ‘s fate, says Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday, said the survival of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) would depend largely on the outcome of its forthcoming December 9 convention in Abuja.

    Dickson, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Francis Agbo, spoke when a PDP National Chairmanship aspirant, Chief Bode George, visited him in Government House, Yenagoa.

    The governor, however, expressed fears that the window of opportunity to reorganize the PDP to enable it confront the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 was fast closing.

    He prayed that, the convention would be used to relaunch the party and regain the trust of Nigerians.

    He said: “I have taken certain positions in terms of what is right for the party, in terms of how best to conduct ourselves, and how fast we need to move away from the mindset of the old to new ways of conducting party business and affairs”.

    Dickson seized the opportunity to congratulate Chief George on his 72nd birthday and thanked him for offering to serve the party.

    He described George as a man with the capacity, experience and other requisite qualities to contest for the PDP National Chairmanship position.

    He noted that, the crisis that engulfed the PDP was needless and urged party leaders to be tolerant, patriotic and put aside their personal differences in the overall interest of the party and the country’s democracy.

    Dickson further called for understanding among the aspirants and prayed for the conduct of a peaceful, free, and credible convention.

    He said if well-conducted the outcome of the convention should be acceptable to all, stressing the need for all to work together to get the processes right.

    Earlier, George explained that, he was in the state to solicit the support of Governor Dickson, as well as the state’s delegates to the December 9 convention in Abuja.

    He said: “I am here because the PDP is heading very soon to elect new managers to pilot the affairs of our great party and we need an experienced, tested captain to take the ship of our party safely back to harbour”

    According to George, there was a need for the party to revisit the experiences of the past and study them with a view to avoiding the mistakes that led to the defeat of the PDP in the last general election.

    He also called on those who dumped the PDP to return to the party.

    “Those of our friends who have moved to other parties, now know they are tenants, let them come home and become landlords,” he said.

    The aspirant prayed God to continually bless the governor with strength and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state and complete his numerous development programmes to better the lots of the people.

  • I recruited Dickson for PDP, and there is no rift between us – Jonathan

    I recruited Dickson for PDP, and there is no rift between us – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that there is no rift between him and Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa contrary to perceptions held by some.

    According to a statement issued by Francis Agbo, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dickson on Friday in Yenagoa, Jonathan attributed the false news on a political rivalry between the duo to handiwork of mischief makers.

    The statement quoted Jonathan to have gone down memory lane, and recalled how he persuaded Dickson to join the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) while he was the governor of the state between Dec.9, 2005 and May 29, 2007.

    Jonathan in the statement wondered why some people were using politics to create crisis where none existed.

    According to the statement, Jonathan made the clarification in his Otuoke home, during a condolence visit by Dickson to commiserate with him on the death of the Paramount Ruler of Otuoke Community, King Lot Justin Ogiasa.

    Jonathan said, “Let me on behalf of the community thank you for making the visit, because of the relationship we have.

    “You wanted to come immediately, but said it would be a  waste of time for the governor to come when the date for the burial had not been announced.

    “For me politics is a very useless business; when I see the kind of things people write about me on the social media, I just laugh.

    “For Bayelsa State, I feel sad because we are not many and we are not heterogeneous. It is a state that we also know ourselves.

    “I have no reasons to say that I am competing with the governor; by the grace of God, I became Deputy Governor, and later on Governor of Bayelsa  and President of Nigeria.

    “There is no way I can sit anywhere and plan evil against Bayelsa or the governor.

    “When I was dreaming of becoming a governor, Dickson was amongst the very few in the meetings we were holding. Though; he was not in PDP then, but he opted to help.

    “He said he didn’t want to be in the PDP, but I virtually forced him to join PDP.

    “When I became governor, I appointed Dickson the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General and that was how he joined PDP, and later became a member of House of Representatives and so on.

    “There is no way I will break my relationship with the governor.” Jonathan said.

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  • $3.6bn fertiliser plant in Bayelsa to generate 20,000 jobs

    $3.6bn fertiliser plant in Bayelsa to generate 20,000 jobs

    The $3.6 billion Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Plant is expected to generate 15,000 jobs at the construction stage, the Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Ben Okoye, has said.

    Okoye made this known on Wednesday in Yenagoa while receiving the certificate of occupancy for the land allocated for the plant construction on Brass Island in Brass LGA.

    The certificate was presented by the state Gov. Seriake Dickson.

    The executive vice chairman said that the plant would create additional 5,000 permanent employments when completed.

    Okoye said that the plant would accommodate methanol, urea, ammonia and gas processing and a-35km pipeline project in Bayelsa.

    Describing the project as the single biggest private sector company in Africa with $1 billion equity fund, Okoye canvassed for support and cooperation of the state government toward the realisation of the project.

    He expressed the optimism that the project would transform the state’s economy and that of Nigeria.

    “Raising $3.5 billion in this clime is not an easy task; this is the first private sector investment in Africa that has attracted $1 billion equity fund.” Okoye said.

    In his remarks, Dickson gave assurance of his administration’s readiness to sustain conducive environment for business and investments.

    Dickson announced a two-year tax holiday for the company aimed at facilitating investment.

    He commended the management of the company for efforts, especially in the area of funding the plant project.

    “I thank you for your continued interest in our state and for foreseeing what a number of people have not seen which is that Bayelsa is Nigeria’s best kept investment secret.

    “We assure you of our continued support in terms of providing a conducive environment which is what I just demonstrated with the signing and presentation of the certificate of occupancy over the land you are interested in using to start up this all-important project.

    “To further encourage you, I have directed a waiver of all fees for two years so that when the project must have started, you will then pay up all fees.

    “We want you to put that money into the project and get it started,” the governor said.

    NAN

  • Former attorney-general urges Bayelsa Government to appoint new judges

    Former attorney-general urges Bayelsa Government to appoint new judges

    Mr Francis Egele ( SAN ), a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa, has urged Bayelsa Government  to appoint  new judges in order to quicken  dispensation of justice in the state.

    Egele made the call on Monday in Yenagoa at a ceremony to mark the official commencement of the state’s  2017/2018 legal year.

    He noted that the last time a judge was appointed in the state was 12 years ago, adding that some other states had within the period “appointed over eight to 10 judges.”

    Egele said the executive arm of government could not be absolved of blame for the state’s inability to appoint judges because it has not been able to comply with the stipulated requirements.

    According to him, states’ requesting to appoint judges are required by the National Judicial Council ( NJC ) to among other things, provide befitting cars, accommodation and library for any judge that is to be appointed.

    He also attributed the prevailing situation to lack of financial independence of the judiciary as contained in the extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Egele, who advocated for the capacity building of judges and members of the bar in the state, said that the NJC has again offered Bayelsa two chances for the appointment of judges and it would lapse in December this year or January 2018.

    He appealed to the Seriake Dickson-led administration not to allow the state miss the opportunity on account of lack of funds and facilities, as the appointmen would reduce the work load on judges and ensure speedy trials.

    “I crave the indulgence of His Excellency the Governor to ensure that, for the first time, this administration joins the league of administrations that have made it possible for the appointment of judges.

    “I am privy to the fact that since 2012, the governor has proposed the building of judges’ and magistrates’ quarters.

    “I do hope and urge that before our colleague leaves office, this laudable project should be achieved.

    “It is suggested as acknowledged by the Chief Justice of the Federation on Sept. 18, 2017 that such buildings could be owned on the retirement of such judicial officers or it be monetised for them at reasonable and affordable prices,” Egele said.

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