Dickson Inaugurates New Council Chairmen, Reads Riot Act to Them

 

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has sworn in the eight newly-elected local government area chairmen in the state, advising them to promote transparency and accountability in the administration of their councils' resources.

Performing the inauguration of the council chairmen and their deputies at the Government House in Yenagoa on Thursday, the governor called on them to ensure strict compliance with the Transparency and Accountability Law of the state.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, stressed that Dickson warned that legislative sanctions would be imposed on any chairman caught misusing council funds.

According to the governor, the council chairmen are expected to carry out their statutory obligation of prompt payment of workers’ salaries and embark on projects to impact positively on the lives of the people.

"To whom much is given, much is also expected. While we allow you to maintain your funds, utilise them in the interest and development of our rural communities.

"We urge you all to show prudence and respect for public funds. We must use our scarce resources to address our multifarious problems as a state. That is what my administration has been doing in the last seven years to eight years now.

"Last month, no office in this state, including mine, got overhead, but we are still funding the Ekeremor road, Yenagoa-Oporoma road and also funding the nine-kilometre fencing of the airport.

"This is as a result of the discipline and prudence we have shown in this government. Let me put you on notice that my team will be monitoring your activities.

"Let me also remind you that the state House of Assembly has supervisory authority over you. And I will not hesitate to work with the assembly to exercise legislative sanctions on any of you where it becomes necessary," the governor said.

On security, Dickson urged the new administrators of the third tier of government to collaborate with security agents in checking sea piracy, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and other unwholesome practices in the state.

The governor, who described the council chairmen as field commanders of the 'Restoration Administration', charged them to lead the party effectively at the local government level.

He enjoined them to work closely with their political party and community leaders in mobilising support for the right causes that would foster peace, stability and progress in the state.

The chairmen of the eight councils are Victor Isaiah (Brass); Alalibo West (Nembe); Dengiye Ubarugu (Kolokuma/Opokuma), and Embeleakpo Alale (Sagbama).

Others are Uroupaye Nimizuoa (Yenagoa); Dr. Perekeme Bertola (Ekeremor); Chief Kia Ebidoughabofa-Nigeria (Southern Ijaw), and Ebinyo Turner (Ogbia).