INVESTMENTS IN HUMAN RESOURCE, PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INTENDED TO DEVELOP VIABLE POST OIL ERA ECONOMY ….BAYELSA GOV

INVESTMENTS IN HUMAN RESOURCE, PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INTENDED TO DEVELOP VIABLE POST OIL ERA ECONOMY ….BAYELSA GOV 

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson says investments being made in human resources and physical infrastructures are all geared towards developing a viable economic base that will endure in the post-oil era. Governor Dickson made the assertion when members of Course 35 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji led by its Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, Rear Admiral Duke O. Osuofa paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Yenagoa. 

Commenting on the theme of the study tour, “Diversifying the Economy of Bayelsa for National Development,” Governor Dickson noted that his administration’s major focus was in the area of agriculture and tourism towards the diversification of the state’s economy. While urging the team, currently on a study tour of the state to visit the first oil well located at Oloibiri in the state, the Governor described the area as a metaphor of neglect and a constant reminder of the need to diversify as oil and gas are non-renewable assets.  

The State Chief Executive, said it was in realization of this need that government was working at maintaining the existing peaceful atmosphere in the state, which he noted was a prerequisite for any meaningful development to take place. Governor Dickson also expressed the hope that as the team traverses the length and breadth of the state, they will appreciate the challenges of developing the state as well as the numerous potentials that abound in Bayelsa.

 The Governor who was full of praises for the Nigerian Military for its professionalism and dedication in the service of their fatherland thanked the Staff College for the choice of Bayelsa as one of its study states. He stated that the report of the team, which is expected to be made available to government, at the end of the tour, would be adopted for discussion at the State Executive Council. Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, Rear Admiral Duke O. Osuofa explained that Course 35 of the Staff College decided to visit 9 states in the country including Bayelsa on a study tour as part of the College training of their officers.

 Rear Admiral Osuofa who is also the team leader, remarked that the aim of the study tour was to enable participants have a first hand knowledge of what Bayelsa was doing to diversify its economy for national development. The team leader hailed the efforts of Governor Dickson at transforming the landscape of Bayelsa and urged him not to rest on his oars until the state is taken to the next level.  

 He explained that the study tour was also to afford participants the opportunity to familiarize themselves with political and socio-economic issues, which are fundamental to the development of the country. According to him, the Course 35 participants have 22 students from 14 different countries while the team to Bayelsa includes an officer each from Ghana and Burkina Faso. 

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

BAYELSA GOVT RECOVERS N18.6B FROM FAAC IN 2012, REFUNDS N7.4B

BAYELSA GOVT RECOVERS N18.6B FROM FAAC IN 2012, REFUNDS N7.4B

Bayelsa State Government said on Friday that it has recovered the sum of N18.6bn Derivation Funds from the Federation Account Allocation Commission, (FAAC) and refunded the sum of  N7.4bn to neighbouring States.Also, the government has refunded the sum of N7.4bn being over payment of Excess Crude/Augmentation 2006 to 2010 and Okori and Ndah Fields to other states.Raising a poser over the refund made on Okori and Ndah Fields while briefing newsmen on the financial status of the state as part of the activities marking the Governor Seriake Dickson led administration’s one year in office, the State Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Duate Iyabi said, , ‘we are however, disputing the N2bn refund because Bayelsa State had never benefitted from any revenue generated from Okori and Ndah Fields.

Clearly we cannot refund what we never received.”He said the development has deprived the state of its rights of income, adding, we are in the process of recovering over N100bn Derivation funds due to Bayelsa state but wrongly credited to other states, because oil wells in the state were wrongly assigned to other states.In its efforts to shore up its Revenue base, Mr Iyabi said the government has proposed monthly Internally Generated Revenue of between N1bn and N2bn, adding that this will assist the present administration in its bid to transform the state.According to him, the current Internally Generated Revenue of between N400 to N600m a month is low.

Government is taking concrete steps to shore up the IGR. First, a new Board made up of seasoned professionals has been appointed.Already, Government has set up a target for Internally Generated Revenue generation per month at N1bn which is expected to increase to about N2bn in two years.On Investment profile, the Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry of Finance Incorporated holds share with a nominal value of N12.34bn and market value of N9.442bn while the dividend collection for the year ended 31st December was N126.401m.

The Commissioner added that the present administration has acquired additional 35.18% of the Ordinary shares of Linkage Assurance Plc at a cost of 50k per share giving an aggregate purchase consideration of N1,686,900,418.82bn.Also, during the 2012 fiscal year, the Government through legislative approval spent N1.5bn out of N3.1bn it is having in its Strategic Savings Account on flood related matters.

On the pay-roll fraud, the Commissioner disclosed that the present administration inherited a monthly payroll bill of N5.4bn but has been able to reduce it to N4.1bn.His words, ‘ the present administration on assumption of office in February met a monthly payroll bill of N5.4bn. Government took definite steps to reduce this amount including promulgation of a law. We are succeeding as the figure has since dropped to N4.1bn. 

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

Day 4... Tour on project sites -Ministry of Trade and investment.

Day 5... Tour on project sites in commemoration of the 1year in office of His Excellency Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson
Ministry of Trade and investment.. Headed by the honorable commissioner Hon. Ayakeme Masa

The honorable commissioner Mr Ayakeme Masa and Mr Cyril Akika led the team of journalists to the proposed Castle Hotel, whose features include a casino, a gulf course, a polo club amongst others... Mr Cyril Akika who is the special assistant to the Governor on Investment informed the team that the project will be completed before the end of the year.

The team then proceeded to  the proposed 5 star hotel being handled by the Asigwe Ayam group. located along the Ox bow lake road, the contractor Mr Asigwe conducted the journalists round the facility, he explained that all materials needed to complete the hotel are already on site and they have started work, He said the expected time of completion is within 12 months

The team was also visited the tower hotels at Azikoro NNPC road. Where a brief interview session was conducted. Mr Cyril Akika informed the journalists that all funds needed to complete the hotel is already available. And the contractors are already moving to site.

Day 5. Ministry of Science and Technology and man power development, Headed by Hon. Commissioner Mrs. Didi Walson Jack.

Day 5. Ministry of Science and Technology and man power development, Headed by Hon. Commissioner Mrs. Didi Walson Jack.
By Matilda Angaye

There was a media briefing by the honorable Commissioner for science and man power development Mrs Didi Walson Jack. The commissioner informed  the journalists that are ministry is just 5 months old and as such was not included in the 2012 budget of Bayelsa State, however her ministry has been able to achieve the following ongoing programmes and projects.

1. Development of ICT framework..
The framework identifies the importance of ICT to socio economic development and has made provisions for A science and Technology center of excellence and innovation, these ICT centers will be located in or within proximity of tertiary institutions in the state. There will also be Science and Technology education in primary and secondary schools and ICT in local government area headquarters and communities.
She said this framework would enable them spearhead new learning technologies, ICT development and research to ensure that Bayelsa State can participate in global information society.

A. Collaboration
On the collaborative platform the commissioner said her ministry had to identify projects and programmes that need collaborative support because of their limited resources.. In that respect they have successfully collaborated with Federal ministry of science and Technology,the united nations office of project services UNOPS, Nigerian Maritime administration and safety NIMASA, High commission of India, Malaysia and Singapore, also the federal civil service commission, the Nigerian content development and monitoring board and the federal character commission.

B. Ward cluster project services
The commissioner said her ministry in collaboration with the Federal ministry of science and technology and commenced construction Of a vocational technology incubation center in oloibiri... Other sites earmarked for such construction are in odi, and otuoke towns. She said when completed Bayelsans would be able to fabricate and carry out maintenance of low technological machinery.

C. Technology incubation center
A collaboration with the technology incubation center an agency under the federal ministry of science and technology incubation. For this purpose The state government has allocated the release an appropriate and conducive space for workshop and laboratories at the Bayelsa State college of arts and science.

D. Human capacity Development.

In other to develop indigenous manpower and foster wealth creation for the Bayelsa people, the hon commissioner said her ministry has embarked training of 1000 Bayelsans under the national industrial programme NISDP on information communication technology ICT,  fisheries and garment making.. The programme runs from December 2012 - March 2013

Training of 15 persons at the federal school of surveying in Oyo State.

Coordination and facilitation of screening and selection of youths from Bayelsa State to undergo a 5year degree programme in Nautical science, Naval architecture and marine engineering in various countries of the world under NIMASA.

She said in other to address the marginalizaction and absence of Bayelsans in the federal Civil  Service her ministry has ensured a 279 short listed persons for aptitude test and recruitment into the federal civil Services... She said her ministry organized a coaching preparatory  workshop for shortlisted candidates, provided transportation to the screening center...

In conclusion, she stated that her ministry is in charge of the man power database for Bayelsans who are seeking job and skill acquisition placements. The ministry is also currently overseeing the E Governance unit where the oracle financial and payroll software is being installed to monitor and administer our wage bills and salaries, the oracle financial system will eliminate the ghost workers and automatically reflect increments of salaries when workers are promoted.. The oracle financial system is 64% completed

BAYELSA SAVES N1.25BILLION FOR PAYMENT OF GRATUITY TO PENSIONERS, COMMENCES PAYMENT ON THURSDAY

BAYELSA SAVES N1.25BILLION FOR PAYMENT OF GRATUITY TO PENSIONERS, COMMENCES PAYMENT ON THURSDAY

 Bayelsa State Government says it has saved the sum of N1.25 billion for the payment of gratuity to pensioners with the payment to commence on Thursday, this week. Dropping the hint at a parley with Chairmen and Secretaries of various Trade Unions in the State at Government House Yenagoa on Tuesday, Governor Seriake Dickson said the amount was realized from the monthly savings for the purpose. According to him, ‘government has made available N1.25 billion being amount realized so far from the monthly savings for the purpose.

 “In line with the promise we made a couple of weeks ago, our government will by tomorrow or Thursday, hand over  a cheque of  N500 million to the Head of Service and his team to commence the payment of retirees’ pensions, allowances and gratuities”. He noted that though the backlog of pensions predated his administration, Government decided to tackle the problem in line with its Restoration agenda. 

The meeting, according to the Governor was convened to discuss some critical issues relating to Government’s plan of beefing up the Internally Generated Revenue, payment of appropriate tax as well as incentives for workers in the state. “We have taken some decisions but out of my usual respect for the labour leaders, I thought we should have a closer meeting where we can fine tune some of these policies” he disclosed. 

On the welfare package for civil servants, Governor Dickson said government would build low cost Housing Estates, provide Health insurance scheme and on the job training to enhance productivity. According to him, “there are several incentives that government is going to unfold shortly. We are going to start the construction of a low-cost Housing Estate for civil servants and Health Insurance scheme that we are reforming”.

 He expressed government’s appreciation to civil servants and their respective unions for their support in the ongoing staff verification exercise, which he said was yielding positive results. His words, “I know the support that your leadership has been giving our staff verification team. Your chairpersons and others on that board are doing very well, and working together.

We have been able to address the problem of ghost workers and fake names.  Responding on behalf of Labour, the State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mrs. Ebiwou Koku Obiyai expressed optimism that Government would facilitate the process of implementing all that are accruable to workers in the State. According to her, civil servants will strive not to fall short of Government’s expectations and will work with Government to actualize its Restoration agenda.

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

SECURITY: BAYELSA GOVT BUILD EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTRES

Bayelsa State Government says 13 Emergency Response Buildings worth millions of naira built in some designated areas of the state are ready for commissioning.The buildings are located at Oloibiri, Ogbia town, Opume, Opume-Ogbia Town-Otuabagi junction, Emeyal 1/Otuoke junction and Otuasega/Shell Camp junction.

Other locations include Onuebum, Agbura, Okaki/Yenegwe junction, Igbogene/Okolobiri/Glory Drive round-about, Okordia-Zarama market, Opokuma junction and Sagbama junction.Conducting newsmen round some of the project sites on Monday as part of activities marking Governor Seriake Dickson led administration’s one year in office, the State Commissioner for Special  Projects, Mr. Fred Obua said the projects were borne out of government’s desire to provide adequate security for lives and property as well make the environment conducive for investors and their inestments to flourish.If the State is adequately secured, according to the Commissioner, it would encourage local and foreign investors to invest in the state and shore up the economic profile of the state.

According to him, in order to further strengthen the existing security network in the state, the State Governor directed this Ministry to construct Emergency Response Buildings at the designated locations in the state.As part of the achievements of the present administration in one year,  the Commissioner disclosed that a number of projects have been completed under his Ministry.

They are the reconstruction of a modern Police officers’ mess, Emergency Response /Security Buildings, Renovation of the State Security Service Quarters, and Fencing and Landscaping of Presidential lodge.The ongoing projects are; Reconstruction of Traditional Rulers Council Building, Construction of Gate way Entrance, Glory land Drive and Igbogene boundary and completion of Abandoned Talented Childrens’ School Quarters for use by the Federal University Otuoke. 

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

KOREAN AGENCY DONATES MULTI MILLION NAIRA RICE MILLING EQUIPMENT TO BAYELSA

KOREAN AGENCY DONATES MULTI MILLION NAIRA RICE MILLING EQUIPMENT TO BAYELSA GOVT The Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA) has injected over N70 million into the Bayelsa State economy through the donation of five rice milling equipment.  

While taking delivery of the equipment at Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson assured that Government would put the rice milling equipment into effective use.

 Governor Dickson who noted that the state has numerous agricultural potentials said government was poised to develop the agricultural sector and diversify the State’s economy. The State Chief Executive expressed the willingness of the state government to develope other sectors of the Bayelsa economy. 

In his response, the Chief representative of the Korean Agency in Nigeria, Jung Sang Hoon, said “the five (5) 300 gramme per hour millers worth over N70 million were donated in view of the devastating effects of the flood that must have damaged the existing rice milling machines in the state.”He assured the government of at least one year guaranty for the equipment as well as the provision of spare parts. 

Highpoint of the occasion was the delivery of the rice milling equipment by the KOICA representative in Nigeria, Jung Sang Hoon and his team to Governor Dickson and some members of the Executive Council.     

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