Governor Seriake Dickson has announced that N750, 000 will be the maximum payment per hectare of any land acquired by government

GOV DICKSON INAUGURATES LAND USE AND ACQUISITION COMMITTEE; ...TO BEGIN MASSIVE ACQUISITION OF LAND

In line with the state government policy on land acquisition, Governor Seriake Dickson has announced that N750, 000 will be the maximum payment per hectare of any land acquired by government.The Governor who made the announcement while inaugurating members of the State Land Use and Allocation Committee in Government House, Yenagoa, however said that where there are crops or improvement made through human efforts on the land, government will value it separately and pay appropriate compensation.

He stated that no landlord will be allowed to hold the state to ransom for lands that are collectively needed for development.“If private buildings are to be taken over in the public interest, which are allowed to do in the land use act, I will not hesitate to sign the appropriate acquisition notices”, the Governor stated.Hon. Dickson called for sacrifice on the part of all, adding that the overriding interest of the state will always be paramount in government’s developmental plans for the State.According to him government will begin massive acquisition of areas, reserve them as well as make adequate plans for their future use.

He sounded a note of warning to members of the public, who either out of ignorance or feel government does not care and have encroached on government land to leave the land as soon as possible as government is out to reclaim all its lost lands.“For landlords or persons who have collected compensation and have gone ahead to sell government land without its authorization, you can be assured that the law will catch up with you”.While, calling on the public to bear with government as it takes the necessary steps to beautify the state capital, the Governor warned land owners or individuals not to sell any land already acquired or about to be acquired by government.

Governor Dickson stressed the importance of land for development adding that as a state moving forward with a very ambitious development agenda and programmes, it needs to manage all its land efficiently and professionally.Hon. Dickson explained that government is poised to turn around Yenagoa to a beautiful and befitting state capital of the Ijaw Nation.According to him, the committee members are made up of people who are committed and professional enough to help government manage its land resources as well as advice it on the best ways to put the land to use.

The Governor frowned at the indiscriminate allocation of lands to government officials and their cronies describing it as an abuse of land policy in the state.He stated that government will take disciplinary measures against people who develop structures without control or regard for aesthetics, adding that going forward, all lands will be properly planned according to the Yenagoa master plan.“If we must allocate lands and plots, those in the committee will advise government” he noted.Hon. Dickson, while disclosing that new areas would be opened up, said that no allocation will be made without a certificate of occupancy backing it up.

Responding on behalf of the Land Use Allocation Committee, the chairman, HRH Iboro Ige- Idaba assured Governor Seriake Dickson that the committee has resolved to take the assignment seriously because of the importance attached to lands, especially for developmental purposes.He assured government of the committee’s readiness to key into the restoration agenda of the present administration. 

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State  

Bayelsa State government earmarks N6.991bn for infrastructure development in Education, Health sectors……

Bayelsa State government earmarks N6.991bn for infrastructure development in Education, Health sectors……

declares earning for month of September, October…….

defends evacuation of victims from Relief camps
By Olusoji Adebola

 Bayelsa state government has earmarked a sum of N6.991bn for infrastructural development in Education and Health sectors of the economy, putting its earnings for the months of September and October from the Federal Account Allocation at N25bn. Also, the State government has defended the evacuation of the flood victims from various Relief camps, arguing that since the flood water has receded in the affected communities, there is need for the people to go back and start their normal lives. 

Presenting the state income at the monthly transparency initiative press briefing the State governor, Hon Seriake Dickson commended the people that identified with the state; Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government agencies and corporate organizations and individuals during its moment of grief, adding that the challenges before its administration is how to resettle the victims and rebuild the collapsed infrastructure now that the flood water has receded.

 According to him, now that the flood water has receded, the challenges before us is how to resettle the victims and rebuild the affected public buildings including schools and hospitals and, as well put in place necessary measures to prevent outbreak of epidemics. The flood dealt a devastating blow on the state, as thousands of people lost their means of livelihood. Farmlands were washed away, while public buildings including schools and hospital were submerged. Warning people against playing politics with the recent development in the state, the governor said his administration has approved the release of  N5.091bn for renovation and remodeling the building of model schools in the three senatorial districts. 

In his breakdown, the government has approved N1.735bn for model schools in Kaiama, Oporoma, Ekeremor, Brass, Ogbia, Toru-Orua and Otueke areas of the state, N1.948bn for renovation of classrooms and Headmasters Quarters. Also, N261.506m has been approved for building of Administrative and Hotel blocks at St. Judes Girls College, N954.885m for the construction of block of classrooms at Isaac Adaka Boro College of Education and N190.390m for the construction of classroom blocks at Teachers Training Institute, Sagbama.

 To facilitate the timely completion of the project, the Governor disclosed that contractors have been mobilized to sites with 40% of the contract sum. In addition, the Governor said a sum of N1.9bn has been approved for the construction of General Hospitals in all the local government areas of the state. On the state financial status, the State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jona in his breakdown of the State income and expenditure for the month of September declared N2 billion as inflow from statutory allocation for the month of September while the gross inflow stood at N12 billion for the same month including over 8 billion Naira from derivation and N532 million was recovered from value Added Tax. 

He announced that the state government got N311 million as refund from NNPC and N768 million was recovered as augmentation.On the refund of excess crude savings, John Jonah said, government got N509 million while a refund of N187 million was recovered from the revised 13 percent from the month of august 2008 to 2009 as the 20th deduction. Rear Admiral John Jonah noted that deductions amounted to N3 billion after FAAC deductions.Out of this figure he explained that Bond deductions stood at over N1 billion while foreign loans came up to N12 million.

On refund of excess crude savings, the Deputy Governor gave N509 million and refund of overpayment on revised 13 percent derivation indices from August 2008 to December 2009 as the 20thdeduction amounting to N187 million.He also noted that a commercial agricultural credit scheme obligation stood at N83 million.The Deputy Governor gave N86 million as refunds made for overpayment, while the Net inflow from FAAC after deductions amounted to N9 billion and IGR from the month of August came up to N479 million leaving a balance of N903 million.

According to him, the total fund available stood at N9 billion.On the outflow, the Deputy Governor said bank repayment gulped over N1 billion while Federal Inland Revenue Service deductions stood at N200 million.He explained that salaries of civil servants came up well over N3 billion, while that of political appointees was over N249 million.He noted that N1 billion was made as monthly overhead payments, while monthly standing approvals stood at N194 million with gratuity payment coming up to N250 million, totaling N6 billion.

Giving N26 billion as balance brought forward from the month of August 2012, the Deputy Governor stated that total funds available to  government as at 30th of September was N22 billion.On the month of October, John Jonah stated that, the state got N2 billion from the FAAC and derivation was N9 billion.According to him, VAT stood at N564 million, SURE- programme was N1 billion while NNPC refund came up to N311 million.

He said the gross inflow for the month of October was N13 billion, while a deduction of N3 billion was made, including bond deduction of over N1 billion.He said foreign loans recovery was N12 million, refund of domestic crude savings account was N509 million as well as refund of overpayment of derivation which stood at N187 million.The Deputy Governor gave over N3 billion as payment for civil servants’ salaries while N304 million went for salaries of political appointees.Monthly overhead payments, according to him came up to N1 billion with total funds available to government as at the end of October standing at N23 billion.   

GOV DICKSON WANTS OIL COMPANIES TO SET UP BASES IN AREAS OF EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION

GOV DICKSON WANTS OIL COMPANIES TO SET UP BASES IN AREAS OF EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION

 Bayelsa State Governor Hon Seriake Dickson has asked the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB) to address the issue of multinational oil companies having operational bases outside their areas of exploration. 

Governor Dickson made the call in Yenagoa, at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between NCDMB and Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, (PETAN) to develop an internship programme for young Nigerian graduates to become technicians, technocrats and engineers in areas relevant to the oil and gas industry. Speaking on the topic, “The Role of Oil Bearing States and Enhancing Local Content Development” the Governor  stressed that, while the board was making efforts to promote local content in the oil and gas industry, it should consider the involvement of the people of the oil producing states in all aspects of the industry. 

He recalled that Bayelsa State was the place where crude oil was first struck in commercial quantities, stating that the area now presents what he described as, “a metaphor of what it is today and what it is likely to be tomorrow, a story of neglect.” According to Hon. Dickson, if a census is conducted about those who own oil blocs and oil wells it will be revealed that indigenous participation is lacking in both the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. 

He further said that those who engage in what he called, “mega deals in the oil industry and stay in mega cities” do so at the detriment and development of the local economies of the areas where oil exploration and exploitation activities take place.Hon. Dickson who noted that the local Content board is dear to him in view of the challenges of job and skills creation , expressed optimism that the 3-day conference would stimulate intellectual discussions. He expressed government’s preparedness to collaborate with the board through the hosting of the board’s annual conference in the state.

Delivering a keynote address, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr Ernest Nwapa, stressed that for Nigeria to actually become a major oil producer in the world, it must make concerted efforts to own critical components of the resources in the industry.Engr. Nwapa also emphasized the need to develop a competent in-country training and certifying body for building the much needed human capital to drive the oil and gas sector with a view to reducing the current high level of capita flight being suffered by the country.

He however noted that through the contributions of the NCDMB, there is increased indigenous participation in the industry, adding that in the next couple of years, local operations would begin to take greater share of the reserves and production capacity in the sector.In their separate good will messages, the minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke and the group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Engr. Andrew Yakubu commended the Dr. Jonathan led administration for enacting enabling laws to promote economic development by integrating the oil and gas business to other segments of the economy.

The NNPC GMD particularly noted that the activities of NCDM in implementing the Nigerian  oil and gas industry Content Development Act 2010 significantly accounts for the increased indigenous participation in the upstream sector from 10% to 30%.In the areas of asset ownership and human capacity development, Mrs. Allison-Madueke maintained that the present administration has used regulation to drive ownership of marine vessels and Oil Rigs by Nigerians.

She added that “in the last 2 years, over 5,000 Nigerians have been provided training and employment opportunities under the project based training scheme of NCDMB”.       The MOU was signed at a 3-day conference tagged The 2nd Practical Nigerian Content Conference at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the state capital. The programme is expected to accelerate capacity building relevant to the development of the industry.

 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

Bayelsa Flood.. The O.B Lulu Briggs foundation

The O.B Lulu Briggs foundation in conjuction with Moni Pulo and O.B construction today payed a courtesy call to his Excellency Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson to donate 2,000 packs of relief materials for the Bayelsa State flood Victims. The delegation which was headed by the High Chief lulu Briggs and Wife also announced that their foundation will also embark on a 5 day free medical service for flood victims in the state. The group was recieved by His Excelleny Governor Seriake Dickson, His Excellency the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the state Govt, the Speaker BYHA, Sec to the State Govt and many others.

PRESS STATEMENT GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO PETITION BY PENSIONERS OVER N3.5B UNPAID GRATUITIES

              PRESS STATEMENT                                   
             GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO PETITION BY PENSIONERS               
              OVER N3.5B UNPAID GRATUITIES 

Our attention  has been drawn to media reports of the two weeks ultimatum given by pensioners in the state for government to pay up their outstanding gratuities. Much as we sympathise with the pensioners over their plight and have even gone ahead to put the necessary machinery in place towards the prompt settlement of their outstanding gratuities, we take exception to the veil threat and negative slants in the press conference held by the pensioners to drive home their demands.We wish to place on record that the issue of non-payment of pensioners gratuities predates this administration. In actual fact, our records in government house clearly revealed that pensioners were last paid in the state in 2005.

It is one of several liabilities and challenges that this administration inherited from the immediate past government and it will not be fair for the pensioners to pin this problem on us even when it is glaring that we are making spirited efforts to right the wrongs of the past administration since government is a continuum.We want to assure our pensioners for the umpteenth time that we are concerned about their plight and government is working assiduously to ensure prompt settlement of all the outstanding gratuities.

We have before us, the report of the committee instituted by government to look into this matter and we will in no time take action that will be in the interest of not just the pensioners but the state as a whole. It is pertinent to state that our resolve and commitment as a government to plug all loopholes and corrupt channels used to siphon money out of the state should be encouraged by all.

It will surprise you that the N3.5bn claim as unpaid gratuities, most of it are cooked up figures and upon proper verification, a number of the persons whose names are on the pensioners  list awaiting payment are fictitious.We cannot continue to condone the perpetration of outright fraud by a group of syndicate who are hell bent on defrauding the system by exploiting the greed of a few corrupt civil servants.

As far as this administration is concerned, it is no longer business as usual. Every form of fraudulent act in the system  will be flushed out and those who are caught will face the music.We call on all our genuine pensioners to be patient with government as all their entitlements will be paid to the last kobo. We are out to do the right thing and the right thing must be done.

Signed

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

RETURN OF FLOOD VICTIMS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES

                                  PRESS STATEMENT                                       
                                   18/11/2012      
  RETURN OF FLOOD VICTIMS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES

 Our attention has been drawn, to media reports citing purported ill-treatment and forced evacuation of flood victims out of the various relief camps by government without recourse to their welfare and proper re-settlements back to their various communities.There is no truth whatsoever in the said report. The decision to return flood victims from the various relief camps back to their various communities was reached having established the fact that it was safe to do so since the flood waters have receded all across the state.

It is also pertinent to state that most of the relief camps are public institutions such as schools which must be evacuated to make room for the resumption of school children who have been at home at all the while following government's directive of indefinite closure of all schools in the state at the height of the flood.

Contrary to media reports of protest by flood victims that they were unjustly sent packing out of the camps without any form of support from government, we like to state for the records that government's support for the returning flood victims have been up to date; right from the beginning of the flood, all through their stay in the camps and up to the point of their evacuation.

The request and demand made by the flood victims to government for a cash settlement of  N300, 000 to be handed out to each of the  victims at the camps before they will accept to return is preposterous and most reprehensible. Government will never give in to such a demand.Our concern as a Government is about how most of the flood victims will be able to start life allover again, especially for those who have lost farmlands,  properties, livestock and other sources of  livelihood. We cannot possibly meet the needs of every single person affected by the flood. But what we can do is to provide some form of succour.

Those who have lost farmlands will be assisted with seedlings and other farming inputs to enable them start allover. We are also putting in place measures to help mitigate the impending famine by stocking our warehouses with basic food items so that people can buy them at subsidised rates, when the need arises.

We urge all returning flood victims to co-operate with government in our quest to assist them deal with the aftermath of the flood. Government will not tolerate any attempt by anyone to politicise or play politics with the issue at hand.Government at the moment is supporting returning  flood victims with basic food items and relief materials to assist them cushion the effect of immediate lack as they arrive their homes.

 Signed
Daniel Iworiso-MarksonChief Press Secretary

CONSTITUTION REVIEW; BAYELSA DEMAND 2 MORE STATES, TOTAL CONTROL OF RESOURCES

The Bayelsa State Constitutional Review Committee under the chairmanship of Prof. Kimse Okoko has adopted the creation of two additional states out of the present Bayelsa as one of the common positions in the on-going constitutional review process.

Prof. Okoko announced the state’s position during the public hearing and interactive session under the auspices of the 3 senators representing the state at the Banquet Hall of Government House, in Yenagoa. 

To avoid rancor and bitterness, the chairman said the committee proposed the creation of two additional states bringing the total number of states to 3 which should be in line with the existing 3 senatorial districts.

“There should be 3 states in Bayelsa. You might say it’s impossible but that is not the issue. There are also other impossible requests from other states, so if you don’t have any from Bayelsa, what will the National Assembly members from the state do? Just sit back and watch others negotiate for the creation of additional states in their states. That is completely unacceptable. So Bayelsa is requesting for 2 additional states in order to bring the total number of states to 3. The states are Brass with headquarters in Brass, Sagbama with headquarters in Sagbama and Yenagoa with headquarters in Yenagoa”.

The people’s forum also adopted the devolution of powers to the federating states to reflect true federalism in the country.

On Fiscal Federalism, the session strongly recommended total ownership of resources of the state with payments of appropriate taxes to the federal government.

Prof. Okoko also announced the adoption of a constitutional recognition of the 6 geo-political zones in the country, state police, single tenure for the Executive Arm and rotation of executive offices among the constituent parts of the federation.

On the issue of immunity clause, the forum voted against blanket immunity, stressing that the National Assembly should institute a clause to ensure that the Executive do not enjoy immunity from criminal actions.

Though the forum was favorably disposed to the issue of residency and indigene, it suggested that the National Assembly should legislate upon it to guarantee the rights of the aborigines.

It also called for the abrogation of the Land Use and National Youths Service Acts as well as Code of Conduct from the constitution to make their amendment easier.

The forum called for the provision constitutional role for traditional rulers and recognition of gender and special interests in the constitution.

It however kicked against the allocation of any percentage to gender representation.

Speaking, the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd) said expectations of the people were high, pointing out that the session was organized to enable the state fashion out a common position that would be presented at the zonal and National levels.

He commended the National Assembly members from the state for their commitment and stressed the need for synergy especially at this period to protect the collective interest of the state and the Ijaw Nation.

Earlier, the Senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, who provided the guidelines for the discussion, said the outcome of the meeting would facilitate the adoption of a common position at a zonal meeting in Calabar, Cross River State.

Other senators at the forum were senator Clever Ikisikpo representing Bayelsa East and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri representing Bayelsa West.

 

  Daniel Iworiso-Markson

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa state    

        

AMENDMENT OF 1999 CONSTITUTION; BAYELSANS TOLD TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY

AMENDMENT OF 1999 CONSTITUTION; BAYELSANS TOLD TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY

Bayelsans have been called upon to come out en masse and participate actively in the ongoing process of constitutional amendment in the Country.Governor Seriake Dickson, who made the call when members of the House of Representatives from the State visited him at Government House, noted that Government is concerned about the need for proper involvement of the people.

To this end, he said government is already taking appropriate steps including setting up an advisory committee to start the process of consultation “so that in no distant time we can meet with our representatives and members of the House to harmonise our common position”.“As the only homogenous Ijaw state, there are issues we the Ijaw people are concerned about to have a place in the Nigerian Federation as part of efforts to bring about an equitable, stable, a lasting democratic and prosperous Nigeria.”

Hon. Dickson commended the leadership of the House of Representatives for spearheading the constitutional amendment and taking the process to the people in whom, he noted, true sovereignty resides.While calling for closer collaboration between members of the National Assembly and the present administration, Hon. Dickson stressed that the State cannot afford any kind of dichotomy.His word: “We need all hands on deck. The dichotomy between Abuja-based politicians (so called) and politicians that are locally based is over. I want to call for closer partnership and interactions with members of the National Assembly from Bayelsa State and those of us who are trying to hold the home-base. We need to provide that synergy and let people know that we cannot afford any division”.

Earlier, Leader of the team, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma Federal Constituency explained they are in the state to hold wide consultations with their constituents with the aim of getting their imputs on the various contentious issues that in the country’s 1999 constitution.Hon Ogoriba also seized the opportunity to congratulate Governor Dickson on his recent victory at the Supreme Court and pledged their continued support to the present administration.

Other members on the team include Hon Nadu Karibo, representing Ogbia Federal Constituency, Henry Ofongo (Southern Ijaw), Foingha Jephtah(Brass/Nembe) and Dr. Stella Dorgu(Sagbama/Ekeremor)   

 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State  

IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENTBAYELSA & RIVERS STATE DISPUTE OVER PROPERTY IN LAND AND THE OIL & GAS RESOURCES THEREIN

These are interesting seasons:The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) have followed in the years disputes over rights to property in land of the peoples and communities on the Niger Delta because of the oil & gas resources found therein by tiers of governments of the Nigerian State Enterprise (federal, and states and there agencies). If it was not the littoral states and against others and federal government, it was the states of north against oil and gas bearing states with respect the onshore/offshore dichotomy and the application of principle of derivation, otherwise it was conflict over the progressive elimination of derivation and fiscal federalism concept that Nigeria was founded on through military decrees.

 Just recently it was Cross Rivers Government Vs Akwa Ibom Government and then Rivers State Vs Akwa Ibom went through this noisy quarrels over ownership and rights to property of oil & gas. Kogi State and Anambara State are warming up to a new fight arising from oil and gas discoveries along their “boundaries”. Today Rivers State and Bayelsa State two sister states have entered fully into public domain on a dispute that had subsisted since 1999. What is the subject of interest to us as Ijaw Youth Council?First, the communities involved who bear these resources are communities in two clans of Ijaw Nation.

The Nembe Clan of our Great Ijaw King, Koko of Nembe and The Kalabari Clan of our equally Great Ijaw King, Amachere of Kalabari. Both clans, communities and their founding leaders predate the Nigerian State and States of Bayelsa and Rivers and related with colonialist on their own terms not mediated by currently failed trustee governments, they did not willingly subscribe to or constitute. Their boundaries as Communities and Clans are also well known to them. Incidentally both state governments have established these facts in some measure in their respective media statements and outbursts.

Bayelsa State Government of Nigeria agrees Kalabari-Ijaw communities are of Kalabari Clan as of fact and their land and resources belong to them. They however, posit that the laws of Nigerian as interpreted by five Supreme Court Judges to whom Rivers State Government sort relief from, authorizes National Boundary Commission to establish the territorial limits of state political and administrative boundaries within Maps and their legal claim originate from extant Map as established in Nigerian law and acknowledged by the Supreme Court.

Rivers State Government agrees to the facts of law but spots the injustice inherent in the law arising from errors recognized by the authors of the Map which provides technical grounds for the position taken by the Supreme Court against the declaratory relief Rivers State sort.What is the Point of the Ijaw Youth Council in these PositionsIn 1998, the All Ijaw Youth Conference which established the Ijaw Youth Council and Issued the Kaiama Declaration had these observations to make, as part of its search for the survival of Ijaw people within Nigeria.

a. That it was through British colonization that the Ijaw Nation was forcibly put under the Nigerian State.

b. That but for the economic interest of imperialist, the Ijaw ethnic nationality would have evolved as a distinct and separate sovereign nation, enjoying undiluted political, economic, social and cultural AUTONOMY.

c. That the division of Southern Protectorate into East and West in 1939 by the British marked the beginning of the balkanization of hitherto territorially contiguous and culturally homogeneous Ijaw people into political and administrative units much to our disadvantage. This trend is continuing in the balkanization of the Ijaws into six states, mostly as minorities who suffer socio-political, economic, and psychological deprivations.

d. That the quality of life of ijaw people is deteriorating as a result of utter neglect, suppression and marginalization visited on Ijaws by alliance of the Nigerian state and transnational oil companies and;

e. That the political crisis in Nigeria is mainly about the struggle for control of oil mineral resources which account for over 80% 0f GDP, 95% of National budget and 90% of foreign exchange earnings. From which, 65%, 75% and 70% respectively……. , among other observationsIn Akwa Ibom, the Obolo-Ijaws of Ibeno-Ijaw Clan and Eastern Obolo-Ijaw Clan bear over 90% of resources that provides Akwa Ibom its revenue, but the two Ijaw clans are minorities and worst developed areas in the state despite their contributions because they are politically marginalized minorities and deprived.

In the same breath, the Obolo –Ijaw people like the current situation of mapping of Soku of Kalabari-Ijaws into Bayalsa are separated from their kith and kins of Andoni-Ijaws in Rivers State. We can also make reference of Egbema-Ijaws separated into Edo and Delta States, being Oil and gas bearing communities they are also some of the most underdeveloped and political, economically and psychologically deprived in both states. What about the Arogbo-Ijaws and Apoi-Ijaws of Ondo state that give the state the status of oil bearing state and the conditions of their development.

We can similarly speak of the Soku and Kula people like most Ijaw communities in Rivers State remain very poor and backward. This case is the same for Ijaw Clans of Bayelsa state. With the huge contributions of Ijaw communities over the years, Ijaw communities and people remain most underdeveloped and psychologically deprived and manipulated by political entities and their operators in the Nigerian State enterprise.

Accordingly, the current squabbles only bring to fore again what we stated at Kaiama and continue to reiterate. They remain in the tradition of Nigerian State a manipulation of state structures for the political interest of agents of state and not in any manner the interest of the Ijaw people as reflected in history and current state of development of Ijaw Land Re-affirmation of Our Position as Ijaw Youth CouncilThe Ijaw Youth Council, accordingly reaffirm;

1. That the current political and administrative structure of the Nigerian state do not satisfy the aspiration of Ijaw Nation and its people, but are oppressive and as such must be restructured

2. That Ijaw people are a people of common destiny and heritage and are all geographically contiguous. We therefore continue to seek to be organized into undiluted units of autonomous political entities that define traditional boundaries of Ijaw clans and communities with a model of fiscal federalism that put community ownership of resources significantly in favour and under the influence and control of communities underlined by Ijaw brotherhood.

3. That all governments of the Nigerian State at all levels have not demonstrated any exemplary use of state apparatus for the benefit of Ijaw people in all the states where Ijaws have been forcibly decreed into and as such should not manipulate the sensibilities and sensitivities of our people for cheap political ends and throw our deprived peoples into unwarranted conflict or war.

4. The Ijaw Youth Council call on Ijaw traditional and political leaders to use their time, energies, influences to pursue interest of fundamental nature to Ijaw survival particularly in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states where we have significant numbers and influences in our struggles for survival.

5. Finally, the Ijaw Youth Council recommend a southern minorities region of acceptable nomenclature as a federating unit in Nigeria, where Ijaws may seek a minimum of three political and administrative units composed of Western, Central and Eastern Ijaws and allow other nationalities to forge arrangements within the region and its constitution to meet their aspirations eg, Ogonis, Ikwerres, Urhorobo’s, Ibibios, itsekiri’s etc.

Our region may then find a basis to federate with other units like the Yoruba’s, Igbos, Minority Nations of the middle belt and Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri’s of the far North.6. Such a federation should be founded on productive potentials of the region and on the principles of fiscal federalism. As ijaw people we are willing to negotiate and accommodated a transition period, over which we expect economic adjustments to deal with potential economic challenges resulting from years of mis-governance and neglected productive capacity of our respectively endowed regions 

7. The government of Rivers State and Bayelsa state should forthwith stop embarrassing themselves with arguments that make no meaning to the real issues of contradictions of the Nigerian state and join forces as sister states to pursue serious political concerns of its peoples and in the meanwhile focus on development needs which are challenged by corruption and bad governance over the years

8. For the Ijaw Youth Council and Ijaw Nation, Resource Ownership and Derivation is a community Issues, stolen into advantageous law for federal and state tiers of government, which we demand must be resolved in favour of communities.

We call on our communities not to be dragged into conflict or accept the seed of hate and discord planted and been watered by Government of Nigerian state, but to focus on our real problem, which is a place for the rights of community in the ownership, control and management of resources found in their respective lands 

Sign Miabiye Kuromiema National President Ijaw Youth Council

Jeremiah OwupeleNational Spokeman, Ijaw Youth Council

OIL WELLS IMBROGLIO; JTF ASSURES BAYELSA, RIVERS COMMUNITIES OF ADEQUATE SECURITY

OIL WELLS IMBROGLIO; JTF ASSURES BAYELSA, RIVERS COMMUNITIES OF ADEQUATE SECURITY  

The operatives of the Joint Military Task Force, (Operation Pulo Shield) has assured the people of Oluasiri and Soku communities in Bayelsa and Rivers states of adequate security, in spite of disagreement over the ownership of disputed oil wells.  

This is just as the Bayelsa state government approved the acquisition of more gunboats to combat crime on the state waterways.  Speaking at the end of a State Security Council meeting, JTF Commander, Major General Johnson Ochoga assured that the  presence of the JTF in the 9 Niger Delta states was to ensure adequate security of lives and property.

He allayed the fears of the people of Oluasiri stating that the fact that there was a deployment of JTF at Soku axis and none in Oluasiri did not mean that they were not protected.“The aspect that actually concerns the JTF is the fact that we are told that the community of Oluasiri is worried that they have JTF deployment at Soku but there is no immediate deployment with them.” “I want to use this opportunity to assure them that just like the JTF covers the nine states of the Niger Delta, JTF is on ground to protect lives and property within the nine states that we are covering and whether the deployment is at Soku or Oluasiri, we are there for all of them. Suffice it to say that if there are issues of security challenges they can reach us and we will take appropriate measures.”

 According to the JTF Commander, the fact that they have physical deployment at Soku should not bother them because the JTF is there for all and sundry. 

Also speaking on the security situation in the state, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kings Omire said the state government directed the acquisition of more gunboats in addition to what has already been delivered to ensure adequate coverage of the waterways.

His words, “the entire waterways in Bayelsa have been mapped out to identify areas where we have security challenges”. Decision was taken that at the next Security Council meeting, all areas where we have security challenges, though they are not entirely new, be brought to council. 

Mr. Omire noted that government was also concerned regarding the Supreme Court judgement vis-a-vis Soku and Oluasiri axis and directed the Police and other security agencies to reach out to the community leaders in the areas and assure them of their protection.  

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

GOV DICKSON INAUGURATES STEERING COMMITTEE FOR $37.7 WORLD BANK ASSISTANCE TO BAYELSA

GOV DICKSON INAUGURATES STEERING COMMITTEE FOR $37.7 WORLD BANK ASSISTANCE TO BAYELSA 

 The World Bank is to invest a total of 57.74 million US Dollars for a period of 5 years under the Steering Committee of the World Bank Assisted State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR) Project. Giving a breakdown of this figure at the inauguration of the 21-member committee at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson explained that the World Bank is expected to assist the state to the tune of 37.74 million US Dollars as well as an additional financing of 20 million US Dollars as grant from the European Union.

 Governor Dickson who said government has made an approval of  N150 million  as its counterpart funding to the project for the 2012 Fiscal Year, said the amount was government’s demonstration of its resolve to collaborate with the World Bank on the project. The preparedness of the World Bank to assist the state, according to the Governor is an attestation of the confidence the restoration agenda of his administration is building in foreign investors and international donors. Governor Dickson said the SEEFOR Project Committee has the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the state empowerment and expenditure for Results Projects financed by the World Bank.

Describing the steering committee as the highest policy making body for the project in the state, he noted that SEETOR projects would provide oversight functions in the state.The committee, which is headed by the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), is expected to convene every quarter to undertake a number of functions. The governor said the committee has the mandate to review the implementation of the components of the projects and forward its analysis and conclusions to the national project coordinating unit as well as approve the annual work plans, budget and procurement plans for the state project.

While also charging the committee to address critical issues that could hinder the implementation of projects in the state, the Governor urged them to ensure the successful implementation of the World Bank Assisted Project.Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmund Allison Oguru is to serve as Vice Chairman of the committee while the project coordinator,(SEEFOR), MR. Anyens Adogu, is the secretary. 

Other members are, Commissioners for Finance, Mr. Duate Iyabi,  Education, Chief Salo Adikumo, Works and Infrastructure, Lawrence Ewrudjakpor, Environment, Sylvanus Abila, Sports and Youth Development, Chief Mitema Obodor,  Budget and Economic Planning, Ambrose Alfred, Local Government and Community Development, James Dugo.The rest are, Commissioner for Capital City Development Authority, CCDA, Zuwa Konugha, Science and Technology and Manpower Dvelopment, Mrs. Didi Walson Jack, Agriculture, Dr. Thomas Commander, state Accountant-General Aseimor Tarimo , Auditor-General, Aaron Azikiwe Assayomo, Director-General Due Process, Ongore Ebikake Joseph, two members of the State House of Assembly to be nominated by the house, Chairman Internal Revenue Board, with Phillip Slaboh and Iwowari Ikuli to represent Civil Society groups.

Responding, Chairman of the committee and Deputy Governor of the state,Rtd Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah assured that they would do their best to deliver on the assignment.       

 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

GOV. DICKSON DECRIES LACK OF FEDERAL ROADS IN BAYELSA

GOV. DICKSON DECRIES LACK OF FEDERAL ROADS IN BAYELSA

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has expressed displeasure over the dearth of Federal roads in the state.Governor Dickson who spoke during a courtesy call on him by officials of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency at Government House, Yenagoa, described Bayelsa as a state with the fewest kilometres of roads in the country.

According to him, the State has less than 200 kilometres of Federal roads.“That is not a statistic we should be proud of because I’m aware that there are states that have as much as 1000 kilometres, others have 2000 kilometres and above, and we are in one country.  And may I remind you that most of the resources with which these roads are built are derived from this land”.Citing the difficult terrain of the state, the Governor noted that Bayelsa was in dire need of critical infrastructure.

According to Hon. Dickson, even the few available roads and bridges have all been washed away by the floods thereby making movement of people and goods within the state difficult.He therefore called on the Federal Government to consider it as a matter of urgency to register its presence in the state through the construction of more roads.While commending the agency for its efforts at maintaining roads across the country, Hon. Dickson expressed his administration’s intention to establish FERMA’s equivalent in the state.

According to the Governor, a bill to that effect would soon be sent to the house of assembly for legislation.Earlier, the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Engr. Gabriel Awuchi explained that the visit was part of the agency’s nationwide inspection tour of federal roads.Mr. Awuchi expressed gratitude to the state government for providing the agency with land to build its observation camps at Adagbabiri, Opolo and Zarama

.Emphasizing the need for partnership, the Managing Director disclosed that FERMA has trained and engaged about 30 Bayelsa youths in areas such as de-silting of blocked drains as well as provision of road maps and signs.

Mr. Awuchi disclosed that efforts are underway to build its field headquarters in the state.The Managing Director was accompanied on the visit by the Agency’s Executive Director of Administration and Human Resources, Engineer B.W. Degi Eremienyo as well as Director, Operations II (East), Mr. Patrick Ikpenwa among others. 

Daniel Iworiso-Markson                           
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State 

Soku Oil field; Bayelsa Govt faults Rivers state N17bn claim

Soku Oil field; Bayelsa Govt faults Rivers state N17bn claim…….stresses need for unity between Nembe, Kalabari kingdoms

 As controversy trailing the ownership of disputed Soku Oil wells rages on, Bayelsa State government on Tuesday said there was no iota of truth in Rivers state government’s claim that Revenue Mobilization,  Allocation and Fiscal Commission wrongly paid N17bn from escrow account to Bayelsa state government. 

Also, the government called on the law abiding people of the affected communities,-Nembe and Kalabari kingdoms not to allow the unity of the Ijaw nation to be affected by the antics of the people who want to play politics over the disputed Oil wells. 

Putting the record straight at the inauguration of a14-man State Boundaries Committee, the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson said at no point in time did RMFAC wrongly paid any amount from escrow account to Bayelsa state government. 

His account, ‘it is not true that Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission paid any amount of money to the government of Bayelsa state wrongly from an escrow account. That is wrong, that is not true. No N17bn was ever kept in any escrow account; no such money was ever paid to the Government of Bayelsa state. 

That is deliberate falsehood that has been put out there to create an impression of bias on the part of a hardworking, impartial Federal Agency that is doing their work. The truth, however is this, last year, the government of Bayelsa state in the last administration made some claims against Rivers state on the account of revenue collection due Bayelsa in respect of some disputed wells. 

The government of Rivers state and its officials duly defended this claim and at the end of it there was a reconciliation of figures. At the end of the reconciliation it was found and agreed upon by all parties including officials of the Government of Rivers, that Rivers state government had wrongly collected the sum of N17bn that was due Bayelsa state. 

That was determined and found to be a fact at the reconciliation. Therefore an agreement was reached by all parties including the representatives of the Government of Rivers state for a refund to be made. Government of Rivers state also made a counter claim of wrongful payment of some other wells in its territory to Bayelsa state and other neighbouring states. 

The appropriates Federal Agencies looked at this claims, heard from  all the parties and found that as a fact that Rivers state government was entitled to refund of close of N15-N16bn again as in defence, there was an agreement reached for refund, as a result of which all the states affected were made to refund that money.  Refund was agreed upon to be made to Rivers state.. Either all the states affected have paid or in the process of doing so. The government of Bayelsa state was made to pay about N2bn as refund to Rivers state based on that consensual understanding. 

The government of Bayelsa state consequently after paying our refund to Rivers state got about N15.1bn. in line with our transparent regime in this state, we duly declared this earning to the people of Bayelsa state. As I am talking to you, this sum is safely kept in the account of the government of Bayelsa state and when the flood and rain subside, we shall direct it into putting back our critical infrastructure. Meanwhile the government of Rivers state got its own refund. 

It is mischievous for anybody to allege and create an impression that the sum of N17bn was ever kept in an escrow account and that a federal Agency paid it out to Bayelsa state during the pendency of litigation. That is a lie that has been fed to the public to create the impression that the Federal Agencies are bias. These are the same Agencies that ensure that appropriate refund was paid to the government of Rivers state. No complain at that time. What happened is that because the process of reconciliation is ongoing between states and Federal Agencies, once there is a complain of wrongful payment or wrongful disbursement to any state, the normal practice is for the state to make complain to the Federal Agencies; the National Boundaries Commission, Revenue Mobilization and Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the Federal Ministry of Finance. 

That is the procedure and that is why we are convinced that the issue of derivation are best left for states to handle and not communities but since my counterpart from Rivers state has made it a communal affair, I believe that he will help us to tell the people of Rivers state, particularly, the people of Kalabari kingdom who he claimed to be fighting for that the basis of our recent claim is that the government of Rivers state in the past couple of years has wrongly received about N120bn that shouldn’t have been paid to Rivers state.

 I hope, he will also tell the people of Rivers state, particularly the people of Kalabari about the refund that was consensually agreed upon and effected in favour of Rivers state to the tune of about N15-N16bn which he got about a month ago. We feel that this matter are best left for states and other stakeholders at the Federal level to resolve in accordance with lay down rules.

 Responding, the Chairman of the committee, the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah said the task given to the committee was not an easy one but expressed belief that with the qualities of members on board, the committee will do its best and will not disappoint the government and the people of the state. 

 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa state

OIL WELLS RIVALRY: BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT REPLIES RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT AGAIN

SOKU/OLUASIRI OIL WELLS/ OIL FIELD: RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP HEATING UP THE POLITY.

Ordinarily, having issued a press statement last Tuesday on the Oluasiri Oil Wells/Oil Field which clearly shows that the said oil wells/oil fields (which Rivers State refers to as Soku) belong to Bayelsa State, the Bayelsa State Government would have maintained a dignified silence in the face of provocation on the subject matter. But the Bayelsa State Government is compelled to issue this statement though with restraint, to respond to the press statement of the Rivers State Government published in many national newspapers in the country to save the Ijaws, Federal Government agencies and the entire country from the desperation and lies of the Rivers State Government.

For all intents and purposes, the said press statement of the Rivers State Government on the above issue was obviously intended to create crisis amongst the peace loving Ijaw people in Rivers and Bayelsa States and garner public sympathy for Rivers State.The said statement, which was signed by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, on the instruction of the Rivers State Governor amongst others, accused the presidency of mischief. This is not only disrespectful and insulting, it also smacks of insubordination and arrogance on the part of the leadership of the Rivers State Government.

While this matter remains in the front burner of public discourse, it is advisable for the Rivers State Government to stop denigrating the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the office of the President is the highest institution in the land. Public Office holders must at all times protect the sanctity of public institutions and not to desecrate same the way the leadership of Rivers State did and is still doing.

The government of Bayelsa State therefore urges the Rivers State Governor and his appointees to refrain from making inciting and inflammatory remarks capable of triggering off inter communal crises among our people. It will be recalled that Bayelsa State Government has restrained the Nembe people from responding to the threats and drums of war by the Kalabari people as this could lead to great disaffection between the two communities.We also urge our fellow Ijaw brothers and traditional rulers to refrain from being used by Governor Ameachi as tools to cause disunity between the people of Rivers and Bayelsa States over the derivation matter because derivation is purely a state matter and not a matter between communities.

The HARD FACTS about Oluasiri/Soku Oil Wells/Oil Field are as follows:

1. The Rivers State Government had previously filed two suits against the Bayelsa State Government at the Federal High Court and the Supreme Court respectively in other to assert its purported ownership over the said oil wells/ oil field and woefully failed as the said suits were all struck­-out by the courts.

2. Soku is a village in Rivers State while the oil wells/ oil field and the flow station are located in the Oluasiri Clan in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The name Soku oil wells/oil field was wrongly given by Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd (SPDC) since Soku village was their operational base at that time. This is not peculiar to Soku. For example, the Idu oil wells/oil field is named after a town in Ekpeye land in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers state while the oil field is actually located in Biseni land of Bayelsa State. Similarly, the Omoku west oil field is in Biseni land of Bayelsa State but Omoku is a town in Rivers State.

3. The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in its report on the Familiarization/Verification visit to oil producing states, volume 1, Main Report, August 2006 in Chapter 3, page 30 also acknowledged the above anomaly when it stated as follows:“The Bayelsa/Imo/Abia State Governments complained that the naming of oil fields was often done arbitrarily without any regard to the culture and particular environment of the people where the wells or fields are located. This has given rise to wrong attribution by relevant agencies”.

4. Incidentally, Soku village in Rivers State is about 10 km, as the crow flies, from the flow station while the Oluasiri / Soku oil wells/ field is surrounded by various Oluasiri villages of Nembe LGA in Bayelsa State.

5. The Special Presidential Committee on verification of oil wells in volume one of its report on disputed oil wells of December 2000 (P; 25/26) after a painstaking field verification process and hearing from both states stated and recommended as follows:''4;5.6 Soku Oil FieldThe team relied on the legal notice captioned “The Eastern Region Local Government Law, 1955 E.R. NO 26 of 1955. Instrument Establishing the Nembe District Council” tendered by Bayelsa State on Pages 40-41 of its submission. It should be noted that while the Kalabaris of Rivers State call the area Soku, the Nembe people of Bayelsa State call it Oluasiri which is one of the councils mentioned in paragraph 5 of the above mentioned instrument.…In the light of the above, it is recommended that the production from Soku Oil Field be attributed to Bayelsa State.''

6. It is worthy of note that the Rivers State Government had in its white paper (1993) titled: RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY INTO THE DISTURBANCES / CONFLICT BETWEEN AKUKU-TORU AND BRASS LGA OF RIVERS STATE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF HON JUSTICE PETER B. AKERE rejected the use of River Santa Babara as the boundary between the Kalabari people of Rivers State and the Nembe people of Bayelsa State. The Rivers State Government in the said white paper specifically stated as follows:''The commission recommends that;

(i) Until that stage is reached, a temporary map which reflects the Rivers Santa Barbara as an administrative boundary should replace Exhibit SG 1.''Government:(a)Rejects the recommendation of the commission in B

(2) (i) above...”The Rivers State Government can therefore no longer claim River Santa Babara as the boundary between the Nembe people of Bayelsa State and the Kalabari people of Rivers State and hence the boundary between the two States.

7. Following dispute between the Nembe and Kalabari peoples, J.G. Cousins Acting District Officer of Brass Division acknowledged River San Bartholomew as the boundary between the Nembe and Kalabari people when in His report dated November 1952 titled KALABARI/NEMBE FISHING DISPUTE stated in paragraph 4 as follows:“…I note that Consul Hopkins fixed the boundary between Nembe and new Calabar (Kalabari).
This is mentioned in the report of the commission into the Kula-Nembe boundary dispute presided over by Mr B.G. Smith acting District Officer in 1944, to which I am also referred by the Nembe Chiefs.”The New Calabar people in the above quotation refers to the present Kalabari people of Rivers State.

8. The 11tth edition of the administrative map of Nigeria, further confirms the fact that River San Bartholomew is the boundary between Nembe of Bayelsa State and new Calabar (Kalabari) of Rivers State which has metamorphosed into the boundary between the two States.

9. For now there is no pending litigation over the Oluasiri oil wells/oil field between Rivers and Bayelsa States since the Supreme Court struck out the suit by the Rivers State Government challenging Bayelsa State's ownership of Oluasiri oil wells/oilfield. The matter was heard under suit number SC/106/2009: Attorney General of Rivers State vs Attorney General of Bayelsa State and Anor.

10. Between, 1996 to 2006, the Rivers State Government wrongly collected several billions of naira from the federation account accruing from the Oluasiri oil wells/oil fields, which was wrongfully allocated, to it by the Federal Government.It is pertinent to note that the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria has not been set aside by the National Boundary Commission or any Court of law. Furthermore since the creation of Bayelsa State it is the 11th edition of the administration map of Nigeria that defines the boundary between the two states.

Therefore The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) was perfectly right in attributing and paying the revenue accruing from the said oil wells/ oil field to Bayelsa State.We therefore urge all Nigerians to discountenance the frivolous and baseless allegations contained in the press release by the Rivers State Government as they are calculated to mislead the entire Country and instigate crises amongst the Ijaw brothers in Kalabari and Nembe communities.

In spite of this provocation, the Bayelsa State Government will remain focused and determined to ensure a peaceful resolution of the issue.

Thank You.
God bless Bayelsa State
God bless the Ijaw Nation
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeira

SIGNED:
Deacon Markson Fefegha
Hon. Commissioner of Information and Orientation
Bayelsa State Nigeria

Juanita Bynums Visit to Bayelsa State Flood Victims

BAYELSA FLOOD; RENOWNED U.S. GOSPEL ARTISTE VISIT RELIEF CAMPS, REKINDLES HOPE AMONG DISPLACED PERSONS

 As the internally displaced persons in Bayelsa State continue to receive sympathizers, Governor Seriake Dickson once again embarked on a tour of the relief camps at the Samson Siasia Stadium and Bishop Dimeari Grammar School in Yenagoa in company of an American Gospel Singer, Dr. Juanita Bynum

. Addressing the people at the Bishop Dimeari Grammer School camp, Governor Dickson stated that the extent and magnitude of the flood was beyond the capacity of both the state and Federal Governments alone, adding that it would require the assistance of donor agencies, philanthropic organizations and well-meaning individuals to cope with the challenges arising from the flood across the state. 

The Governor, who explained that Dr. Bynum was in the state to assess the situation of things, noted that she was passionate about the wellbeing of humanity.  

Describing Dr. Bynum as a worthy friend and partner, he urged the Gospel Artiste to be the state’s ambassador by telling the Bayelsa story to the world as well as do her best to bring succor to the people. Speaking, Dr. Juanita Bynum assured the flood victims of her support through the provision of relief materials such as clothing, food and medical supplies.

 According to Dr. Bynum, She has never taken up any cause before in her life but having seen the conditions of the victims she now has a compelling need to do so. She also used the occasion to render a special praise song to the delight of the displaced persons, who joined her in chorus.

 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa state 

EKO 2012; DICKSON CHARGES BAYELSA CONTINGENT, HARPS ON UNITY

EKO 2012; DICKSON CHARGES BAYELSA CONTINGENT, HARPS ON  UNITY

Bayelsa state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Saturday in Yenagoa received the Torch of Unity of Eko 2012 edition of the National Sports Festival with a charge to the State contingent to improve on their performance by winning more medals.

Also, the Governor stressed the needs for unity and peaceful co-existence among the diverse ethnic groups in the Country, describing sports as a unifying factor.Reiterating the commitment of his administration to Sports development, the Government charged the contingent to stay atop of the medals’ table, stating that this is the only way to justify the confidence reposed in them by the people of the state.

On the preparedness of the State to host any of the subsequent editions of the NSF, Hon. Dickson said his administration was working hard to ensure the adequate provision of sporting facilities as well as the upgrading of others to develop the sporting sub-sector in the state.According to him, ‘the state is desirous in hosting future National Sports Festival to encourage excellence in sports.Earlier, the State Commissioner for Sports, Chief Mitema Obodor had expressed confidence in the State contingent to the 18th National Sports festival “Eko 2012” , stating that the state would improve on its previous performance by winning more medals.

He noted that the Torch of Unity is symbolic, adding that its arrival is a clear indication that the state is ready to compete free, fair and friendly with other states in the Federation.He commended the untiring efforts of the National Sports Commission for keeping the vision of the founding fathers of the National Sports Festival alive by doing everything possible to organize the 18th edition of the event.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

Bayelsa Monarch urges FG to urgently demarcate disputed land

Bayelsa Monarch urges FG to urgently demarcate disputed land

The paramount ruler of Oluasiri in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa, HRH, King Iyeritei Awululu has urged the federal government to embark on immediate boundary demarcation in the disputed oil rich Soku enclave between Bayelsa and Rivers. Awululu in an interview in Yenagoa on Wednesday said the call became imperative in order to avert possible bloodshed between the two sister states. He described as misplaced claims by the Kalabari National Forum that Bayelsa Government was planning to annex five oil rich communities in Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State. 

King Awululu said the Soku Gas Plant which is in contention is on Oluasiri territory in Nembe council area and not on Kalabiri land as being claimed by the Rivers people. According to him, “Oluasiri is the 13th ward in Nembe council area and have boundary with Odua, Abua and Akuku-Toru. The Soku Gas Plant is at the centre of Oluasiri land.

The place is far from Soku and it is a minimum of 22 minutes drive on the fastest speed boat.”   He said the instrument that created the Nembe district council in the then Eastern region was in 1955/56 while the instrument creating Kalabari district was in 1960/61. “If you look at the instrument creating the Kalabari district council in the then Eastern Region, you will not see Elemsangama in it but you will see Orusangama,” he remarked.

 Awululu noted that the people of Bille have also cautioned the Kalabaris on this matter, adding that Mr. President should not be dragged into the matter which had been on ground long before he even delved into politics. Also in a statement on Wednesday, the Bayelsa government said it has sufficiently made its stand known on the matter and is duly backed up by law. Governor Seriake Dickson through his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson said the law as it is known deals with facts and concrete evidence. 

On the issue of ownership and the claim by the Rivers State government to Soku Oil wells, he said, “I believe it is no longer news that Rivers State Government took Bayelsa State Government to the Federal High Court on this same issue and lost. “Instead of appealing the matter in the Appeal Court, the Rivers State Government invoked the constitutional provision and filed a suit in the Supreme Court in 2011 and this year the Supreme Court upheld Bayelsa State’s position.“I do not think we should dissipate unnecessary energy over what has already been established as incontrovertible fact. “Besides, we live in a country governed by laws and there are recognised institutions where people can go to seek redress, when they are in doubt. “We should not belabour the issue any further.

As far as this issue is concerned, I believe the facts speak for itself.” recalled that the Kalabari National Forum had Monday in Abuja  protested alleged surreptitious moves by some federal government officials to excise five oil producing Kalabari communities of Rivers and give them to Bayelsa for political reasons.