Government to Commence Massive Rebuilding of Critical Infrastructures such as Roads and Bridges Destroyed by the Floods.

15/10/2012
GOV DICKSON TASK APPOINTEES ON REGULAR INTERACTION WITH THEIR CONSTITUENCIES

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has directed all political appointees in the state to frequently visit their constituencies to show sympathy and sensitize the people on the efforts of government towards addressing the effects of the flood.The Governor also directed the state Ministry of Health to deploy all available boat ambulances to riverine areas to enhance the medical services being provided by Government.
Governor Dickson handed down the directives during an emergency meeting with the Political appointees at Banquet Hall of Government House in Yenagoa.The Governor explained that effective communication between the appointees and their constituencies will go a long way in assisting Government take stock of the immediate needs of the people and proffer solutions.“We should not leave it for one appointed small committee. The disaster is more than that; so all of you are members of our response team; you are the first line of defense because you are in Government.
There are people out there who may feel they are not concerned but you can’t afford to be so because you share the burden of service with me”.Pointing out the extent of damages in the State, Governor Dickson noted that Government was working hard to assuage the pains of the people.

He urged the health ministry and sub-committee in charge of health to redouble their efforts at sensitizing the people on basic hygiene to prevent the possible outbreak of epidemic such as Cholera and other water- borne diseases.“Because if we are not careful the epidemic that will come will finish all our population particularly the vulnerable people: children, woman, old people and then the physically challenged”, the Governor said.

While calling on the appointees to show more commitment and loyalty to the State, Hon. Seriake Dickson said Government was working assiduously to address the emergency situation foisted on the State by the flood.According to him, Government is to commence massive rebuilding of critical infrastructures such as roads and bridges that have been destroyed as soon as the flood waters recede.

In his contribution, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Surveyor Furoebi Akene appealed to Government to take decisive action to stop illegal oil refining activities in Southern Ijaw, expressing fears that the area would suffer from epidemic as sludge of oil have spread all over the place.Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women development and empowerment of Ogbia LGA, Mrs. Unity Ototo expressed the preparedness of women to serve in the various committees and called for their inclusion.

In his remarks, the Health Commissioner, Dr. Anapurere Awoli said his ministry was working in conjunction with the media on public health enlightenment.To enhance sanitation, Dr. Awoli noted that mobile toilets have been provided while immunization is also on-going in all the relief camps.He also stressed the need for government to re-equip all flood affected facilities in the state. 
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State