DICKSON SWEARS-IN NEW ACTING LGA CHAIRMEN IN BAYELSA, WARMNS AGAINST TURNING COUNCILS TO PERSONAL ESTATE

DICKSON SWEARS-IN NEW ACTING LGA CHAIRMEN IN BAYELSA, WARMNS AGAINST TURNING COUNCILS TO PERSONAL ESTATE

Messrs Akoso Napoleon and Ebikeme Okoringa were on Friday sworn in as the Acting Chairmen of Sagbama and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.The ceremony which was performed by the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson under the supervision of the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri was sequel to the impeachment of the former chairmen of the affected local government areas over alleged abuse of office.

The Peoples Democratic Party had in a statement signed by its State Chairman Colonel Sam Inokoba (rtd) accussed the affected chairmen of desperate attempts to undermine the peace of the LGAs under their care with the active support and collaboration of some desperate politicians and power seekers.The statement reads in part, ‘barely two months ago PDP in Bayelsa State waded into the matter concerning the three LGAs.

We took the decision because of several disturbing reports on the refusal of the Chairmen of the three local government areas to work with their respective Councillors’.As a responsible party, we at the time decried the action of the Chairmen, particularly their refusal to work with the Councillors. The party advised the chairmen to work harmoniously with their Councillors and not see their reinstatement by the Supreme Court as a call to exact vengeance.

 ‘Sadly, rather than allow reason prevail, the said chairmen have chosen to embrace the path of self-destruction, apparently because they have long ceased to be members and dumped our great party and embraced little known Change Advocacy Party (CAP). ‘Having found themselves in councils dominated by PDP-elected councilors, these chairmen have since discovered that they cannot be Sole Administrators from their shaky CAP platform.

P  The point must be made clear that no sooner had the Chairmen been reinstated than they appointed their Vice Chairmen without recourse to the Councillors, who are constitutionally empowered to ratify such appointments’. However, in his charge to the new Acting Chairmen, the Governor warned them against turning the council to their personal estate, saying, don’t operate as sole administrators; rather you should work harmoniously with your legislative arms. ‘As an administration hinged on transparency and accountability, you are expected to render monthly account of income and expenditure of the council funds’. 

We are working hard to preserve and protect the democratic system at the third tier of government to ensure smooth transition of local government administration. In a related development, Governor Dickson has inaugurated the 32 rural development authorities in the state, charging them to reside in their respective domains and perform their constitutional roles. 

His charge, ‘developmental centres should really be for development and I expect you people to monitor projects cutting across your respective communities.   
 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
 Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State