GOV DICKSON SIGNS FOUR BILLS INTO LAW

03/07/2013
GOV DICKSON SIGNS FOUR BILLS INTO LAW

 Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has signed into law, four out of the five bills presented to him by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson. The bills are, the Bayelsa State Sports Academy, Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority Amendment, Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency and the Bayelsa State Welfare and Social Security Scheme Laws all of 2013.

 Appending his signature on the bills at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Dickson explained that Bayelsa State Health Insurance Scheme Bill would be signed into law at a later date when the appointment of members of the board for the scheme is made to enable it become fully operational.  

Describing the laws as significant and epochal, he said they would help to usher in a new dawn in the annals of the history of the state and called on the people of the state to support government to enable it succeed in the task of transforming Bayelsa in line with the dreams of its founding fathers.  

 In his words: “ I have not appended my signature on the Bayelsa State Health Insurance Bill. That is a very serious innovation that once again your government with the support of the State House of Assembly is introducing in the annals of governance and in the annals of meeting the health agenda of government and because of the epochal nature and significance of the scheme and the law that will establish it, there are a number of stakeholders who have indicated their intention to be with us on the day when I will be signing that bill into law.

 “I have instructed my office to ensure that we conclude the appointment of members of the board so that on that day, the number of interested stakeholders and development partners who have shown interest in what we are doing in the health sector will be here and we will also take advantage of that ceremony to inaugurate the board of that scheme. 

Stressing the importance of the Welfare and Social Security Scheme Law, the governor described it as the first of its kind not only in the state but the country with the payment of monthly stipends for the aged. “On the Welfare and Social Security Law, people who are vulnerable within a particular class as may be determined by the Executive Council from time to time, will be entitled to some level of support with the provision of monthly stipend and other forms of support. “That is the right thing to do because the government and this state exists for you, your comfort and your wellbeing and it is our duty to support those of you who need support.”

 The Governor also commended members of the state Assembly for what he termed as uncommon dedication to their legislative duties as they were supposed to have gone on recess.  

On the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency Law, Governor Dickson noted that the measure was part of government’s coordinated efforts to take proactive steps for the anticipated flood this year as well as the management of other disasters.

Presenting the bills, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson said the bills were deliberated and passed within the period of two months.  

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