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