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).
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