BAYELSA GOVT. COMMEND NUJ FOR SMOOTH CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

BAYELSA GOVT COMMEND NUJ FOR SMOOTH CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Bayelsa State Council have been commended for their mature and calm disposition in the conduct of the affairs of the Union in the State.They have also been given a pat on the back for successfully conducting the triennial delegates’ conference of the Union, which saw the emergence of a new state executive council.

In a statement in Yenagoa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of the State, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson also congratulated the new State Executive Council for their victorious run in the elections and urged them to initiate programmes that will further improve the image and status of the union in the State.

The statement described the landslide victory of the Chairman-elect, Mr. Tarinyo Akono and other officers as clear testimonies of their general acceptance by members of the Union and urged every member to rally round the new state executive council in piloting the affairs of the NUJ.According to him, the restoration programme of Government is a deliberate policy geared towards developing all critical sectors of the State’s economy, adding that the NUJ has a very vital role to play in not only driving the real concept behind the programme home, but serve as a major catalyst in ensuring its successful implementation.

While, calling on the NUJ to effectively play its role as watchdog of society by creating the needed platform to always inform and educate the citizenry on the real import of various Government policies, he assured them of the administration’s preparedness to collaborate with the union in its efforts at moving the state to enviable heights.He further expressed his deep appreciation to Journalists in the State for demonstrating genuine commitment to the progress of the restoration agenda of the Hon. Seriake Dickson led administration and urged them not to relent. 
DANIEL IWORISO-MARKSON
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa state

BAYELSA GOVT EMPATHISES WITH FLOOD VICTIMS

BAYELSA GOVT EMPATHISES WITH FLOOD VICTIMS 

The Bayelsa State Government has expressed concern over the plight of flood affected communities in the state.Speaking with newsmen shortly after visiting some of the communities in Sagbama and Kolokuma/Opokuma local areas of the state, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Douye Diri empathized with the victims. 
Hon Diri, who described the situation as a natural disaster and pathetic, expressed optimism that government, would do everything within the limits of available resources to alleviate the sufferings of flood victims in the state.
According to him, the state government has already set up a committee to tackle flood and other natural disasters. He therefore called on all affected communities to liaise with the committee to enable government respond appropriately to their plight.
At Toru-Orua, the native community of Governor Seriake Dickson, where water from the river has started flowing into the community, having over flown its banks, Diri said he decided to visit the town due to conflicting reports about the flood situation in the community. 
The Deputy Chief of Staff commended the people for their communal efforts at combating the menace and called on other communities to take precautionary measures to avoid the loss of life and mitigate other effects of flooding.
Also speaking, the paramount ruler of Toru-Orua, Chief Gosselin Felagha Touaregha described this year’s flood as the worst in the past thirty years.He complained that the flood has destroyed so many farmlands as well as valuable property in the area. 
Chief Touaregha appealed to government and other well-meaning organizations including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to the aid of his community. The Deputy Chief of Staff, Douye Diri was accompanied on the visit by the Transport Officer, Government House, Mr Wisdom Fafi to Sampou in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area as well as Sagbama Town, Ebedebiri and Toru-Orua in Sagbama council area of the state  
DANIEL IWORISO-MARKSON
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa state  

GOVERNOR DICKSON IN UK, WOOS INVESTORS TO BAYELSA

GOVERNOR DICKSON IN UK, WOOS INVESTORS TO BAYELSA  

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, has in the last couple of weeks since his arrival in the United Kingdom, been holding high level talks with some of Britain's most influential businessmen and investors, in his bid to kindle their interest in partnering with the state on a number of investment opportunities capable of turning the fortunes of the state around.

  Speaking at one of such meetings held with a group of investors in his private executive suite at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in the heart of London, Governor Dickson told his audience that his administration has carried out a comprehensive  review as well as taken concrete steps to put in place the required institutional framework to attract investors to the state.

 To start with, he said the issue of insecurity have been adequately dealt with. Hear him:  "Gentlemen,  I make bold to say to you  that Bayelsa today is one of the most peaceful and secured states in the whole of Nigeria. We have achieved this given the huge investment we have made in the area of security since we assumed office barely six months ago. Mind you, we are even doing more because of the seriousness we attach to the security of not only the lives of our investors, but also to their investments.

That is why today in Bayelsa, all the multinational companies who abandoned the state at one time, are all back and they are on ground as we speak, working".Governor Dickson went on further to state that one of the reasons why he decided to embark on the trip was to afford him the opportunity to personally relate with the investors and to assure them that Bayelsa State is ready to welcome genuine investors and investments in an atmosphere so convivial.He further stressed that aside from the personal guarantees and assurances that he was giving to them, the state was willing to go a step further to take out insurance policy on every foreign investor who have shown or expressed genuine commitment to invest in Bayelsa. "Our concept of attracting investors, especially genuine direct foreign investment into our state includes a commitment to protect them and their investments by going a step further to take out an insurance policy on them and their investments. Similarly, we will take out insurance policy on every tourists who visit our state.

Beyond rhetoric,  we want every tourist to truly experience Bayelsa as a home away from home. We are determined to make Bayelsa a foremost tourism and investment haven", he said.Some key government officials who were on hand and indeed, were crucial to all the discussions and meetings held with prospective  investors in London, included select members of Governor Dickson's Economic Management  Team.Leading the team is the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Duate Iyabi, the Chief Economic Adviser, Tam Alazigha and the Senior Special Assistant on Investment, Cyril Akika.
Daniel Markson-Iworiso
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

New Airport Project

BAYELSA NEW AIRPORT PROJECT
In line with our avowed commitment to promote tourism and to make Bayelsa State the preferred tourism and investment
destination, and also coupled with our resolve to open up the state and fast track development in the critical sectors, our
government in partnership with the Federal Government has taken the initiative to drive the new Bayelsa Airport Project.
As part of the decision reached at the last State Executive Council Meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa, where contract
for the clearing of the site for the new airport was awarded, it became imperative to state that the earlier site chosen for the
old airport project was no longer tenable following the unfriendly nature of the environment and the very difficult swampy,
constantly waterlogged terrain which hitherto, hindered meaningful construction work to be carried out on the site. In the
circumstance, it is regrettable to note that huge sums of money running into several billions of Naira have been expended on
dredging and sand filling for the past 6 years since the idea of the old airport project was muted.
Moved by this sordid development and the need to rapidly bring to fruition his promise of restoration and development in all
sphere of human endeavour in Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State, deemed it
necessary to seize the initiative by working in concert with the relevant Federal Government agencies in the aviation sector, to
relocate the site of the new Bayelsa Airport to an ideal location certified suitable to accommodate the new airport. The new site
is a large expanse of land, mostly made up of dry land requiring little or no sand-filling and located within the upland area of
Yenagoa Local Government, with a substantial part of the land cutting through Kolokuma Opokuma Local Government Area and
a slight portion taken from Southern Ijaw axis.
Already as earlier stated, contract for the clearing of the site have been awarded and in no time the construction of the airport
runway and installation of state-of-the art flight navigational equipments will also commence.
Bayelsa State Government is leading the project initiative for the new airport and it is doing so with the active collaboration of
the Federal Government. Governor Dickson strongly considers the airport project as very critical and pivotal to our development
as a state. Hence, he is personally spearheading and leading this project initiative. The target date set for the completion of the
new airport is said to be less than two years.
A signed press release by the Chief Press Secretary to Bayelsa State Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, hinted that the cost for
the execution of the new airport project will be borne by both the state and the federal government. However, the cost will be
a lot less, indeed far lot less from what has been budgeted and spent so far, including the series of variation carried out on the
old airport project.
Signed By
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

BAYELSA GOVT APPROVE CONTRACT FOR CLEARING OF SITE FOR AIRPORT

BAYELSA GOVT APPROVE CONTRACT FOR CLEARING OF SITE FOR AIRPORT
 The Bayelsa State Government has approved the award of contract for the clearing of the site for the proposed state airport project along Amassoma/Tombia road.
Also approved are contracts for an access road to Boro Town in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, sand filling and reclamation of the beach annex at the proposed Golf course area of Government House Extension as well as the construction of a bridge and access road to Tourist Island in the State capital.These were some of the decisions taken at the 10th session of the State Executive Council meeting held at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa.
Briefing the Press after the meeting, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Deacon Markson Fefegha, announced the arrival of buses for the state transport scheme, adding that to ensure the effective management and operation of the scheme, Government has concluded plans to map out routes for the restoration cabs and the new buses to alleviate the sufferings of commuters across the state.He said, Government noted with dismay the indiscriminate parking of vehicles on both sides of roads in the state capital, which has been largely responsible for several hold-ups being experienced within Yenagoa and its environs.
According to the Information and Orientation Commissioner, Executive council also urged Bayelsans to take advantage of the Information Communication Technology, ICT, Law and other Diploma programmes of the Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science, BYCAS to acquire middle level manpower skills as part of government’s drive to industrialise the state for rapid economic development.He explained that, as a deliberate policy to encourage Bayelsans, the application forms for the various Diploma programmes in BYCAS have been pegged at N500.00 (Five Hundred Naira) only, with lectures expected to commence in two weeks time.
The Executive Council also expressed serious concern over rising cases of insecurity in waterways across the state, stressing that, Government will soon take appropriate steps to deal decisively with the situation to ensure safety of lives and property in all nooks and crannies of the state. 
Daniel Iworiso-Markson                                                                                                                       
  Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa state        

Gov. Dickson desires World Class Healthcare system to boost tourism

26th July 2012Govt.
Desires World Class Healthcare system to boost tourism -
Governor Seriake Dickson says government is desirous of having a world-class healthcare system that will key into the tourism potentials of the state.The governor stated this in an interactive session with top management officials of Skippers Infra JLT in Government House, Yenagoa which culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
According to him, “we want people from outside the state to come and receive first class health care services in the state.  We know people travel out to receive healthcare services elsewhere”.“Our government is serious in the provision of world class health care that will meet the needs of the people and others and also to boost the economy”, he stressed.Governor Dickson explained that the present administration had already made enough provision in the health sub-sector and wants partners who will complement government’s gesture and help complete the healthcare projects on ground.
He commended Skippers for having the two key components, expected on the partnership, which according to the Governor, is technical competence and financial capabilities, and expressed government’s desire to work with the company.Governor Dickson equally called on them to explore the possibility of helping to develop the oil palm potentials of the state noting that the eco-climate of Bayelsa State is second to none. “We want to collaborate with your country so that they can import our oil palm produce”. 
Stressing that government was not looking for contractors but willing partners in the new Bayelsa project, the Governor expressed the hope that the proposed partnership with Skipper will yield the desired results, while promising that government, on its part, will create the enabling environment and also create room for private sector participation in driving the economy of the state forward.He urged Skippers Infra JLT for the early completion of the audit assignment, noting that government expects that in the next six months to one year, people from outside the state would fly into Bayelsa State to receive medical attention, and thus make the dream of government come true.Earlier in his remarks, the Group President of Skipper Infra JLT, Mr. Jitender Sachdeva said their visit was to partner with the State government on areas of oil palm production and healthcare services.Sachdeva disclosed that his company has twenty five year experience in manufacturing and infrastructure development, and have large investments spreading across the country.
He commended the State government for the 380-bed Melford Okilo General Hospital, noting that the facility, which is sixty percent completed, is one of the best in Africa architectural wise.The Skipper Group president pledged that the company will do its best to meet government’s target in six months with the commencement of operation of some key sections of the hospital such as the diagnostic center among others.Skipper Infra JLT has a 1500-bed hospital situated in India, among its chain of investments, and the hospital is the biggest in the whole of Asia. 
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor
(Media & Public Affairs)

SEND FORTH CEREMONY OF THE BENEFICIARYS OF THE RESTORATION SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

The banquet hall of THE Bayelsa State Government house was packed full with smiling faces, as the state government organized a send forth Celebration  for 250 children who are beneficiaries of the Bayelsa State restoration secondary scholarship scheme. In attendance was the Commander chief of the  federal republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, The Bayelsa State State State Governor, Hon. Henry seriake Dickson, his Deputy, rtd, Rear Admiral John Jonah and a host of other dignitaries. 
1st picture
From L-right:  President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson and the Commissioner of Education, Mr. Salo Adikumo during the Bayelsa State Government Send Forth Ceremony for beneficiaries of Restoration of Secondary School Scholarship Scheme in Yenagoa.Photo by Lucky Francis  
2nd Picture
 Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, President Goodluck Jonathan and the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah during the state government Send Forth Ceremony for beneficiaries of Restoration of Secondary School Scholarship Scheme in Yenagoa.Photo by Lucky Francis  
3rd Picture
President Goodluck Jonathan (left) exchanging pleasantries with the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) during the State Government Send Forth Ceremony for beneficiaries of Restoration of Secondary School Scholarship Scheme in Yenagoa.Photo by Lucky Francis
 4th picture
 L-right back row:  Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson and the State Education Commissioner, Mr. Salo Adikumo pose with a cross section of beneficiaries of the State Restoration Secondary School Scholarship Scheme during a Send Forth Ceremony in Yenagoa.Photo by Lucky Francis

GOV DICKSON FLAGS OFF 5-DAY TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP

GOV DICKSON FLAGS OFF 5-DAY TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson says Government will continue to accord premium to the training and welfare of teachers in the state.Governor Dickson stated this while declaring open a 5-day capacity building workshop for primary school teachers in the state in Yenagoa, jointly organized by the Universal Basic Education Commission and the State Government.
Describing teachers as the most critical component in the educational sector, the Governor observed that the advancement of society is dependent on the quality of its teachers and called on them to brace up to the paradigm shift in the sector.Hon. Dickson noted that while his administration strives to equip teachers with modern methods of teaching and instructional materials, they are expected to put in their optimum performance in imparting requisite knowledge.
He also underscored the need for teachers as custodians of the children to go back to the basics by focusing on instilling the right values in children in the molding of their characters.As a mark of Government’s commitment to towards transforming the educational infrastructure, the Governor announced the completion of the Teachers Training Institute which is a part of the State College of Education at Sagbama .
He pointed out that, henceforth all teachers are expected to pass through the institution to get certified in learning and character before being absorbed in the school system.Hon. Dickson, who announced that Government will have regular interactions with Headmasters and Principals, also decried lobbying by teachers on postings to urban areas.According to him, some teachers will be sent abroad for training, who will in turn train others.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Chief Salo Adikumo remarked that 2000 teachers are expected to participate in the workshop, while additional 3000 will undergo similar training by the 17th of this month, bringing the total number of trainees to 5000.
Chief Adikumo urged them to apply themselves in accordance with the set objectives and guidelines of the exercise.Also speaking, the Acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Prof. C.O Onocha says the commission places great premium on the continuous development of the professional skills of teachers, stating that the prompt release of 140 million naira to the state for the ongoing training demonstrates Federal Government’s commitment to the upliftment of teachers.
Prof. Onocha, who was represented by Prof Sylvester Enyinaya commended Governor Dickson for the steps taken so far to revamp the education sector, including his resolve to train all basic education teachers in the state, and urged the governor to sustain the tempo.He pointed out that the training is expected to improve the efficiency of the participants, and called on SUBEB to put in place mechanisms to ensure that the trainees apply the knowledge and skills they will acquire from the workshop.
In his welcome address, the Secretary of the Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board, Comrade Walton Liverpool urged teachers to work hard to meet the current needs of their profession and lauded Governor Dickson for his education friendly policies. 
 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the GovernorOf Bayelsa State 

PRESIDENT JONATHAN TASK BENEFICIARIES OF BAYELSA SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME TO BRACE UP

PRESIDENT JONATHAN TASK BENEFICIARIES OF BAYELSA SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME TO BRACE UP

 President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the 250 beneficiaries of the Bayelsa State Restoration Secondary Schools Scholarship Scheme to brace up to the challenges they will encounter in course of their studies.
 The President made the call at the Send-Forth Ceremony organized by the state government for the latest beneficiaries of the scheme at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa. 
According to him’ you will meet challenges but do not be intimidated.  “You will surmount your problems if you work hard“President Jonathan stressed. He used the forum to announce that he will support the scholarship initiative of the state government with a promise that he will be personally involved in soliciting the support of well-meaning Bayelsans as well as others to assist students complete their tertiary education if they perform excellently in their secondary school careers. 
Commending the state government for sustaining the scholarship scheme from his time as Governor of the state, the President noted that he was also a beneficiary of a post-primary scholarship and urged the beneficiaries to make the best out of it. 
In his remarks, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state charged the beneficiaries to exhibit positive traits and work hard to justify government’s goodwill. According to the Governor, “you need to work hard to achieve success and play by the rules”. He warned them to desist from tendencies that are inimical to their educational growth noting that they are the future leaders of the state.
 Expressing appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for his support and commitment to the educational advancement of the state, Governor Dickson said his administration is building on the solid foundation laid by the administration of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan while they were governors of the state. 
While pledging government’s commitment to sustain the scholarship scheme, Hon Dickson stated that the scholarship scheme will be reviewed regularly in line with the manpower requirements of the state. He disclosed that out of the two hundred and fifty beneficiaries, fifty slots were allocated to students Ijaw speaking parts of Edo, Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom and Ondo states. “Ten chances each will be given to these states made up of five boys and five girls each” he remarked. 
Governor Dickson also announced that three hundred post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries have been carefully selected by government for further studies adding that special consideration was given to those who applied for PhD studies. 
In his welcome address, the Bayelsa state Commissioner for Education, Hon. Salo Adikumo said the selection of the beneficiaries was done to ensure that only under privileged pupils were listed in the scheme. Hon. Adikumo explained that the beneficiaries were increased to two hundred and fifty students to accommodate students from Ijaw speaking areas of some neighbouring states, stated government has also listed three hundred persons for post-graduate scholarships. 
  Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

BAYELSA TO ESTABLISH CASSAVA FARM AND PROCESSING PLANT

BAYELSA TO ESTABLISH CASSAVA FARM AND PROCESSING PLANT

 The Bayelsa State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DPP International, Denmark, for the establishment of a Cassava Farm and Plant for processing starch in the state. Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony at Government House, Yenagoa,  Governor Seriake Dickson noted that the partnership is an opportunity to add value to the Cassava product which serves as an important source of food for the people. 

According to the Governor, who was represented by His Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), stated that the establishment of a cassava processing plant in the state will encourage the production of the crop. He also stated that the factories to be built will create job opportunities and support the manpower development needs of the state.  The State Chief Executive commended the Danish company for their decision to partner with the state to develop its abundant potentials in the agricultural sub-sector.

 The Governor noted that the dearth of industries in the state is responsible for the low Gross Domestic Product (GDP) index of the state as compared to other states of the federation and urged the company to help government achieve its dream of industrialization. This, he said, prompted government to set up the Bayelsa State Development Company, which is among other things saddled with responsibility of supervising all the industries to be established in the state. Governor Dickson used the occasion to call on DPP International, Denmark to also explore other areas it could collaborate with the state government promising that government, on its part, will do everything possible to make the partnership successful.

 According to him, Nigeria remains the biggest economy in West Africa followed by Lagos State, and the state is eager to exploit all avenues to become a global player in various sectors of the economy. In his earlier remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, DPP International, Denmark, Mr. Wolfgang Holz explained that the company is experienced enough to provide a medium level technology through the establishment of the Cassava Farm and Processing Plant, having undertaken similar assignments in South Asia and Brazil. 

Mr. Holz stated that DPP wants to establish farms that will be run professionally in the state as well as develop better methods of farming noting that the environment is suited for the venture. He said that starch, which is the main nutrients in the cassava crop, can be refined to provide other alternative sources of food such as noodles and pasta, glucose, sweetener as well as for use in the paper products industry.. The MD/CEO of DPP further said that with the establishment of the farms and starch processing plant in the state, Bayelsa and Nigeria in general will gain access into the international market. He expressed the belief that, despite the obvious challenges, the partnership will be a success and assured government of its commitment to the project. 
 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

BAYELSA GOVT TO BUILD A FILM VILLAGE

BAYELSA GOVT TO BUILD A FILM VILLAGE 

Bayelsa State Government is to build a film village as part of government’s drive to project the state’s vast potentials to the outside world. Governor Seriake Dickson stated this at a state dinner held in honour of some Nollywood stars who were in the state for a symposium on the prospects of indigenous films in Nigeria at Government House, Yenagoa . 

Consequently, Governor Dickson expressed his administration’s intention to collaborate with the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), to actualize the project to enable the academy hold its activities annually in the state.  According to him, aside from the film village, government is putting in place the necessary infrastructure such as good road network , a boat club, golf course and other recreational facilities, that could facilitate as well as enrich film production in Bayelsa State.

 Governor Dickson remarked that the Glory land Castle in Government House has been converted to a six- star hotel, which he noted will be the first of its kind in the country when completed.Re-affirming his administration’s commitment to make Bayelsa State a centre of excellence in the Arts and Culture, theGovernor urged actors, actresses and film producers to take advantage of the peaceful and alluring scenery of the state for their film production. 

In her remarks, one of the Nollywood stars, Miss Hilda Dokubo lauded Governor Dickson for his developmental strides as well as enthroning a governance culture through the institutionalization of transparency and accountability. Miss Dokubo thanked the Governor for organizing the symposium and urged other state Governors to emulate the gesture.        
 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State.   

BRASS LNG PROJECT TO TAKE OFF IN 1ST QUARTER OF 2013

 Bayelsa State Government has indicated its readiness to provide the enabling environment for the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas Project to achieve its set objectives. Governor Seriake Dickson stated this while exchanging views the Board and management team of BLNG, who visited him at Government House, Yenagoa. 
Describing the project as a centre of gravity for the development of the state, the Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd) expressed confidence in the team and called for enduring partnership between all critical stakeholders in the project. To demonstrate its commitment to the project, Governor Dickson noted that his administration is prioritizing the Nembe-Brass road and the development of a deep seaport in the state.

 According to him, the design of the road will make provision for the construction of a railway on the long term to connect the state to commercial centres such as Onitsha. Governor Dickson who identified lack of communication as the cause of hostilities between some oil majors and their host communities called on BLNG not to concentrate all of its activities especially fabrication facilities in Brass Island. Commending the company for its training programmes, Hon. Dickson urged the BLNG to complement his administration’s efforts at giving specialized training to more youths in areas such as underwater welding with a view to making them relevant for the project.

 The Governor acknowledged BLNG’s recognition of the relevance of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, pointing out that the activities of the board could lead to a multiplier effect that would actually accommodate grievances that might be expressed by some of the host communities. Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Brass Liquefied Natural Gas, Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki expressed hope that the project would take-off on or before the end of the first quarter of 2013. According to Dr. Gaius- Obaseki, the final investment decision (FID) will be taken soon even as he called on all stakeholders to collaborate effectively to achieve this target. 

In his presentation, the Managing Director of BLNG, Mr. Lorenzo Di Lorenzo said contracts for the construction of Gas Trains Engineering and Procurement, Onshore and Offshore works including loading facilities have been awarded to Bechtel. Mr. Lorenzo listed the shareholders of BLNG to include NNPC (49%), Eni (17%), Conoco Philips (17%) and Total (17%). The Managing Director noted that the project when operational, will not only provide sustainable development for local communities in the Niger Delta, but also complement Federal Government’s gas flare-down policy and buy into global Kyoto Protocol Objectives. 

According to him, BLNG has so far trained over 125 technicians at the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, warri in Delta State as well as built a community information centre and a health facility at Twon-Brass as part of its corporate social responsibility. While calling for support from all shareholders, Mr. Lorenzo suggested that a team to be led by the Chairman and GMD of BLNG will meet with the Minister of Petroleum Resources with the aim of resolving all outstanding upstream and downstream related issues.
   Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

BAYELSA GOVT PLANS TO RIGHT-SIZE LG WORKFORCE FOR GREATER PRODUCTIVITY

06/09/2012 BAYELSA GOVT PLANS TO RIGHT-SIZE LG WORKFORCE FOR GREATER PRODUCTIVITY 
 Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Gboribiogha John Jonah, has re-affirmed government’s resolve to right-size the staff strength of local government councils for effective service delivery. Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah stated this at a meeting with chairmen of Local Government Verification teams and the State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, who doubles as Chairman of Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, Chief Ebikitin Diongoli at Government House, Yenagoa. 

The Deputy Governor who observed that most of the councils can operate with less than half of their present workforce, stressed that steps will be taken to reposition the councils and make them more accountable to the people. Retired Rear Admiral John Jonah however assured that Government will provide an alternative means of livelihood for those that will be affected by the planned exercise. He expressed government’s desire to bequeath a Local Government System that is institutionalized and devoid of all forms of sharp practices as well as deliver the dividends of democracy to the rural populace. 

The Deputy  Governor however blamed the laxity at the Local Government Councils on nonchalant disposition of previous Local Government Service Commissions. The Deputy Governor also described as unacceptable the situation whereby chairmen of councils borrow money to augment their over bloated wage bills and other expenditure. In their separate presentations, Chairmen of the verification teams for Brass, Yenagoa, Ogbia, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama councils suggested a drastic re-organisation of Local Government administration to check the excesses of certain categories of staff and wastage. They also called on the state government to prevail on the oil companies operating in the state to pay taxes to their host councils as well as look into the issue of statutory deductions made by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development from the allocations accruing to the councils. 

The verification teams called on the state government to create the platform for the emergence of credible officials to manage the third tier of government. They underscored the need to institutionalize the local government system so that the system would not be susceptible to the whims and caprices of chairmen and few highly placed officers. Leaders of the various verification teams for the local government councils at the meeting are; Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff for Brass, Hon. Claudius Enegesi – Ogbia, Mr. Douye Diri – Kolokuma/Opokuma, Senator John Brambaifa – Sagbama, and Dr. Timiebi Okara – Yenagoa. 
 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State