GOV DICKSON REITERATES CALL FOR DIVERSIFICATION OF BAYELSA ECONOMY FROM OIL AND GAS, ANNOUNCES N10BN TAKE OFF GRANT FOR BDIC

2704/2013
GOV DICKSON REITERATES CALL FOR DIVERSIFICATION OF BAYELSA ECONOMY FROM OIL AND GAS, ANNOUNCES N10BN TAKE OFF GRANT FOR BDIC

Bayelsa State Governor Hon. Seriake Dickson has reiterated call for diversification from oil and gas sector of the economy as he announced the release of N10bn grant for effective take-off of the Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation, (BDIC).

Disclosing this at the Inaugural Board Retreat BDIC held at the weekend in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson said this would assist the Corporation in performing its statutory functions, which include attracting local and foreign investors to the State, boosting its economic profile and providing an economic blueprint for the State.

While, calling for the active participation of the Board members of the BDIC in the present administration’s efforts to turn the economy of the State around, the Governor said it has become imperative for the state to diversify from the Oil and Gas sector of the economy in view of the non renewable nature of the resource and emerging global economic market trends.

According to him, “the new Bayelsa that we all crave for, the new Bayelsa that we actually deserve, that new Bayelsa can only be founded on prosperity and security. Government is building roads and bridges, schools and so on, but in vain do we do all of this, if these activities do not translate to economic prosperity and opportunities for our people”.

Stressing the need for active involvement of the Organized Private Sector, (OPS) in the development process of the state, Hon. Dickson said government should have little or no business in running commercial enterprise, adding that his administration believes in free enterprise.“Our government is a believer of free enterprise. It believes that the Private Sector is best suited to promoting enterprise, creating wealth, sustaining development. Government should therefore, have very little business in running businesses”.

On the expected role of the BDIC, the governor pointed out that the corporation is to serve as a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity, and not to usurp the functions of the Ministries, Departments and other Agencies of the government.He submitted, ‘the BDIC is not intended to take the place of the Ministries in this state. It is not a body that is higher than the Ministries and Government of this State. The BDIC’s role is not policy formulation. That will continue to reside in the State government and its formal organs.

However, it will be the duty of the BDIC to drive those activities that are investment related.“It is the instrument for driving investment; attracting investment and, also directly investing. Also, because it is a creation of our laws, there will always be necessary collaboration with other organs of government”. 

In his bid to strengthen the economic base of the state and place it on a higher pedestal, Governor Dickson urged the management of BDIC to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the corporation’s mission, especially in the area of building a formidable conglomerate.‘We have instances of Odua Group of Companies and other similar bodies within this Country.

Outside the shore of the Country, we have sovereign entities like Investment Development Corporation, (IDC), South Africa and that of Rwanda and so many others.‘These models exist and that is the level that we want to take our State to. Let me emphasize that going forward, all capital investment that have business elements will be undertaken by the BDIC”.

On the issue of funding, the governor disclosed, “the BDIC will enjoy from now till the end of the current budget year, a capital injection of between N5bn-N10bn from the Government of Bayelsa State. This is to enable the BDIC take off in earnest. The BDIC is not expected to be a paper tiger. We, therefore, expect the BDIC to (from now) explore investment opportunities”. 

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

GOV DICKSON INSTITUTES STATE MOVIE TRUST FUND; DONATES N250M, AS FILM CITY PROJECT TAKES OFF

GOV DICKSON INSTITUTES STATE MOVIE TRUST FUND; DONATES N250M, AS FILM CITY PROJECT TAKES OFF

In fulfillment of an earlier pledge made to enhance the movie industryin the country, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson hasperformed the foundation laying ceremony for the Bayelsa film city at the Igbogene axis of the capital city, Yenagoa.The foundation laying ceremony was part of activities marking the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards in the State. 

Governor Dickson noted that, the film city, when completed will harness and boost the state’s potentials in the tourism and entertainment industries as well as serve as an alternative source of revenue base for the State outside oil and gas.The all encompassing edifice is expected to accommodate a businessdistrict, section for Guild activities, seminar halls, inaugurationcentres, collapsible set as well as a night club.

Other facilities to be housed in the proposed film city Project include a relaxation centre, helipad, police and fire service stations, village setting for films, water treatment base, power plant, Studies and a Shopping Mall.The Governor, also used the occasion to announce the institution of the Bayelsa State Indigenous Movie Trust Fund with an initial donation of N250 million.

According to him, the Movie Trust Fund which will be used for thedevelopment of budding talents in the State, will be managed bypersons within and outside the State.While, describing the entertainment industry especially Nollywood as amajor employer of labour and an avenue to showcase the rich culturalheritage of the people of Nigeria and a tool for re-branding thecountry and Africa,  Hon. Dickson urged movie makers to focus more and portray the positive side of the country to the outside world.

The Governor, who alongside some special guests also witnessed a cultural display, stated that efforts will be intensified to use the AMAA awards to showcase the rich cultural endowments of the State with a view to attracting more visitors to the State on regular basis.According to him, the relevant organs of government will be properly positioned to make new innovations and improvements to the various activities that were put together to celebrate this year’s AMAA at subsequent editions.

The cultural event featured ceremonial and war boat regatta displays, cultural dances as well as traditional wrestling with past and present State, national and continental champions in attendance.The Eight Local Government area took part in the Boot Regatta withNembe LGA emerging winners in the Ceremonial Category followed byBrass and Ogbia LGAs, while Southern Ijaw came tops in the war boat regatta display, with Sagbama placing second.

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

F.G Partners Bayelsa Government on provision of Water

The federal government has expressed its desire to partner the Government of Bayelsa State to ensure adequate provision of safe water for the people of the area.The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, made this known when she received the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, in her office in Abuja.

Ochekpe said the federal government had realised that to meet the MDGs goals there was the need to increase collaboration with the states government and it was in this regard the ministry recently held a meeting with all the commissioners of water resources to further strengthen the bond of cooperation between them to achieve the objective of adequate provision of safe water.She added that a meeting with Nigeria Governors' Forum was being planned to solicit for their support.

The minister told the governor that work was progressing on the Otuoke water project being handled by the ministry of Water Resources which extends to 13 communities within the Otuoke Area and other similar projects in the state.While lamenting the setback suffered by the Otuoke water project due to the effect of flood of last year, Mrs. Ochekpe assured that the project would soon be completed and by July this year the people of Otuoke and other adjoining communities would start to enjoy water.

"We are sorry that in Bayelsa State you have so much water around you but not fresh water because of the effect of pollution, government is doing everything possible through our Niger Delta River Basin Authority to support you and ensure adequate provision of water for the people in the area", the Minister said.On the interest shown by the Bayelsa State Government to take over the Rice Farm Project at Peremabiri, the minister said: "We will collaborate with you but we will not hand over the project".

Earlier, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, said the state government alone could not provide water in a state like Bayelsa without support from the federal government."I am here to solicit your support in technical terms. We need to tap into the expertise of your ministry. My government intends to do a lot this year in the area of water", the governor further said.

On the devastating flood that ravaged the state last year, Dickson explained that measures were being taken by his government to prevent the reoccurrence of flood of last year.He said that he had set up two committees to enable government prepare effective response.The governor said his government also intended to embark on massive rice farming this year to turn around the economy of the state.

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By
Yemi Akinsuyi
Allafrica online

GOV DICKSON DECLARES N28.9B BALANCE IN STATE’S COFFERS FOR MARCH 2013, AS IGR HITS ALL TIME HIGH OF N1B

GOV DICKSON DECLARES N28.9B BALANCE IN STATE’S COFFERS FOR MARCH 2013, AS IGR HITS ALL TIME HIGH OF N1B 

In keeping with the tradition of the present administration’s policy on transparency and accountability, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has declared a total of N28.972bn as balance of funds available for the state as at the end of March, 2013. Addressing the press on the financial position of the state for the months of February and March, this year at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson also gave N19.7bn as total balance standing to the credit of the state for the month of February.

 In a breakdown of the figures for February, the Governor declared N19.7 as Gross Inflow comprising Statutory Allocation of N2.4bn, Derivation amounted to N10.04bn, while Value Added Tax came racked in N648 million, Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P came up to N1.1bn among other items. On the Outflows, Governor Dickson explained that a total FAAC deduction of N2.38bn consisting of Bond deduction of N1.241bn, Foreign Loan obligation of N11million, Refund of overpayment to the Federal Government on the Excess Crude Account in three tranches of N509.8 million, N187million and N392.8million was made, leaving a Net Inflow of N17.270bn. 

According to the Governor, salaries of Civil Servants gulped N3.817bn, that of political appointees stood at N335 million with monthly overhead payment of N1.1bn while statutory approvals stood at N230 million, gratuity payment of N250 million as well as transfers to the State Compulsory Savings Account of N250 million. He said the sum of N100 million was remitted to the State owned Niger Delta University for the payment of salary arrears owed its workers, pointing out that actual recurrent expenditure gulped N2.5bn while that of Capital was put at N10bn.

 For the month of March, Governor Dickson reported a Gross Inflow of N24.bn made up of Statutory Allocation of N2.3bn, Derivation of N9.5bn, VAT amounting to N658 million, SURE-P stood at N1.068bn while augmentations was put at N10.3bn, noting that there was no disbursement from the Excess Crude Account. 

Governor Dickson also stated that N2.38bn was deducted at source by FAAC, giving the breakdown of the figure to include salary obligation for civil Servants as N3.8bn, political appointees N336 million, overheads of N1.1, IGR of N80 million, land acquisition N250 million.

 The Governor who used the opportunity to commend the state workforce for their understanding and cooperation on the present tax regime, said revenue accruing to the state coffers has increased to N300 million on a monthly basis. 

He also added that the overall monthly IGR came up to N1bn assuring that government would make judicious use of the resources to develop physical infrastructure, create wealth and jobs for the people to get value for their money.  

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

Operation Doo Akpo Aborts Oil Theft in Otuasega Bayelsa State

The state security outfit set up by the Bayelsa state Government to Tackle crime "Operation Doo-Akpo" might just have averted another massacre similar to that of the Ahoada explosions, where scooping of oil from a fallen tanker resulted in a fire explosion that ended the lives of over a 130 youths.

Confirmed reports reaching us this morning says the operation Doo Akpor team responded to a report of a crime in progress at about 11pm last night to find "bunkerers" who had burst one of the shell pipelines in that area with hydrocarbons gushing out of the pipeline .  Although The criminals took to their heels on arrival of the men of the Doo Akpo team, the pipeline was still gushing out hydrocarbons. This preempted The Doo Akpo team to inform  the near by shell camp of the vandalization in other to prevent a massive fire outbreak or residents of that area scooping for the product now identified as diesel.

The staff of shell was said to have contained the leak while the Doo Akpo team maintained patrol in the area all night..

Remember Protecting of lives and properties should not be left in the hands of our security agents alone. We have a reponsibilty to our State and Nation to work with our security agents. Special thanks to whomever thought it wise to call the operation Doo Akpo security outfit. Incase you don't have it, this is the hotline for the Operation Doo Akpo security outfit 07006464644. Let security be our priority.

Matilda Angaye

AS AMAA ENDS; FG PLEDGES COLLABORATION WITH UNESCO TO BOOST TOURISM IN BAYELSA, DONATES N25M TO FILM CITY PROJECT

AS AMAA ENDS; FG PLEDGES COLLABORATION WITH UNESCO TO BOOST TOURISM IN BAYELSA, DONATES N25M TO FILM CITY PROJECT 

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured the Bayelsa State Government of technical and financial support in the promotion of the tourism industry and establish an under Water Research and Imaging Centre in collaboration with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation to create training opportunities for the people. 

 Represented by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, President Jonathan also announced that the N3 billion earlier pledged to the movie industry would be made available to it in the next few weeks as well as announced a donation of N25 million to the proposed Yenagoa Film City.   

The President, who speaking at the 9th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA at the Gloryland cultural centre in Yenagoa, urged the movie industry to focus more on telling stories that portray Africa in its proper perspective and commended the industry for collaborating with other African countries to tell stories across borders. 

Also speaking at the event, Governor Seriake Dickson announced institution of a Bayelsa State Indigenous Movie Trust Fund with an initial donation of N250 million for the development of budding talents, which would be managed by persons from within and outside the state. He described the entertainment industry, especially Nollywood as a major employer of labour and a medium for cultural exchange and a tool for rebranding the country and continent.

 Governor Dickson congratulated Nollywood for the feat achieved by one of its stars, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde for her induction as one of the 100 most influential personalities in the world by the Time Magazine, describing it as a stamp of global approval for the movie industry in the country. As a way of acknowledging the contributions of the Nollywood stars, the Bayelsa state Governor also said government would make available plots of land to deserving stars who would be required to build befitting residential accommodation and take advantage of the facilities that would be provided at the proposed Yenagoa Film City.

 According to the Governor, his administration has made huge investments in the area of security and today it is beginning to pay off as Bayelsa is now being rated as one of the most peaceful states in the country. While observing that night life has also returned to the state, he hinted that by next month, a programme of electronic surveillance would be activated to strengthen existing security measures and peace in the state. 

The Bayelsa state chief executive also used the occasion to woo the private sector to invest in the possibilities of the new Bayelsa State, adding that his administration will support them all the way. Hon. Dickson pointed out that beyond the fun and glamour of AMAA, the event would be used as an avenue for promoting tourism, agriculture and manufacturing as well as prepare for a post oil era.

 In his remarks, President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma said his country shares in the aspirations and struggles of Nigeria and the entire African continent to eradicate poverty and marginalization as well as create a better Africa and a more cohesive world. Represented by the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Luis Mnguni, he commended Governor Dickson for promoting good governance and urged leaders in the African continent to emulate his example of regularly rendering accounts to the people. 

 In her speech, which was centred on the theme of this year’s AMAA “Africa One”, the Chief Executive of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, Ms Peace Anyiam Osigwe, said it is incumbent on film makers to use the medium to change the mindset of Africa by Africa and for Africa as that was the whole essence of the Academy. 

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

Bayelsa State Government Raises over 600million Naira for AMAA

The AMAA fund raising dinner which was chaired by Alhaji Sayuu Dantata held at the conference hall of the Transcorp Hilton hotels and Towers Abuja. It had in attendance the first lady of Nigeria Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of the Vice president Mrs. Amina Sambo, The Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry S. Dickson, friends and business partners of Alhaji Dantata, construction giants, representatives of state Governors, Key players in the Banking sector, Members of the BDIC, prominent sons of Bayelsa state etc.

Gov. Dickson while giving his speech, commended the Organizers of AMAA for birthing and holding on to the project for years now, he also commended  his predecessors for  buying the idea and successfully hosting the awards through the years, especially the president for supporting the project as Governor and even as president.

He however emphasized on the need for AMAA to be a Private sector driven event in line with the restoration agenda of His Administration to get private sectors as key players in the new Bayelsa project. He thanked the guest for honouring the invitation and for showing solidarity with the new Bayelsa state project in the promotion of arts as a medium of promoting national unity and Integration as well as wealth creation, he especially thanked the first lady of Nigeria Dame Patience Jonathan and the chairman of the fund raising Alhaji Sullah Dantata for honouring and promoting the fund raising event.

Gov. Dickson assured the guest that the funds raised will be judiciously and properly utilized, he therefore charged the guest to contribute generously to the successful hosting of the this Years AMAA awards ceremonies. In his words "we want the pockets to do the talking tonight". He also informed the guest that he is looking forward to receiving them all in Bayelsa state on Saturday for the award night program.

The first lady of Nigeria Dame Patience Jonathan in her Remarks acknowledged the importance of the entertainment industry in our society and the role Nigerian movies have played in our national development. she also commended the organizers of AMAA, and the state governor for pointing  this year's AMAA to a new direction.

She also commended her husband, the president of Nigeria,Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the 3 billion naira innovation fund recently established for the Nigerian creative industry on its 20th Anniversary. She thanked the Bayelsa state Governor and the friends of Bayelsa state for supporting and partnering with this project and called on the players in the private sector to consider the support of the film industry as part of national service to grow the economy, reduce social vices and empower Nigerians.

She charged film makers to tell stories that highlight the virtues of peace and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians. Her excellency encouraged the Governor of Bayelsa state, Henry Seriake Dickson to build the Yenagoa film city, as it will positively extend the opportunity of the youths. She therefore urged the guest to donate generously to the AMAA project, stating that nothing is too small or too big for a good course.

Under the Able chairmanship of the AMAA fund Raiser, Alhaji Sullah Dantata, Over 600 million naira was realized during the fund raiser with the chairman donating 100million naira, friends of Dantata 100million, Senator Uzamere behalf of Glo 100 million, BDIC 50 million, Gilmore Nig. Ltd 35million, Chief Arthur Eze, Timi Alaibe, Ben Bruce and friends 27million, Ifeanyi Uba of capital oil 30million, Hakeem Bello - Osagie of Etisalat 30million, Oxmas construction 25million, H.R.H king A.j Turner of Trenor Nig. Ltd 20million, Chief Ineton 25million, Gitto construction 15million, CCECC construction 10 million. Other donors includes Julius Berger, ken Etete, Dan Etete, Francis Ogoro, V and V, petroleum products carriers, Dr Wale, Dantata and Sawoe, who gave 5million naira each. There were other undisclosed amounts donate by Firstbank, FCMB, UBA, Sterling bank, Kaduna and Niger State Governments.

The program was anchored by Basorge tariah junior, taribio Oweifawari and Mr Ebi Avi

By
Matilda Angaye