“We’ll Turn Bayelsa State into a Top 5 Economy in Africa”… Economic Adviser

Press Release                                 
“We’ll turn Bayelsa State into a top 5 Economy in Africa”… Economic Adviser

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has again reiterated his unflinching resolve to enhance the fortunes of the state by embarking on big ticket investments and leveraging state owned entities to drive the restoration agenda.

The Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr Tamunoye Alazigha disclosed this in Yenagoa today in a strategy meeting with Managing Directors of state owned companies.

Mr Alazigha who is also the Deputy Managing Director of Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation assured that a new era of efficient resource use and value addition had dawned in the state with the coming on stream of the corporation.

He said the meeting with the companies was informed largely by the crying need to leverage these assets to reposition the state. “The state needs to generate more revenue and these revenues in turn needs to be optimal deployed to meet the needs of citizens. And this is what Governor Dickson is doing; bringing about socio-economic and infrastructural transformation to address our key developmental challenges,” he enthused

He noted that the BDIC was taking steps to collaborate with the companies in developing key sectors of the economy but was, however, quick to emphasize that it was expedient to start small and grow into a behemoth rather than taking up more than could be handled at the formative stages of any project.

He recounted that most business started small and focused on areas where they had comparative advantage.He said Bayelsa State has comparative advantages in a whole lot of sectors including tourism, Oil and Gas and Maritime but hinted that lack of proper harnessing of these resources had meant that revenues had been lost in the past.

Mr Alazigha asserted that the whole idea of vesting assets in the corporation was, therefore, to show value by embarking on biggest impact projects with lowest cost and highest profit margins, noting however, that for each unit of returns, “we have to measure the risk and take steps to mitigate it”“The people in the state, the living conditions and quality of life generally is of very great concern to the Governor.

The BDIC is the strategic enabler to grow the wealth of Bayelsans so that on the whole we can say with a certain degree of exactitude that life in Bayelsa is far better than what used to be. And this is what drives our passion to deliver the goods. We are extremely committed to touch lives positively.”

According to him, the era when the entities were mere conduit pipes through which monies were siphoned by previous administrations was over, adding that going forward, the administration of Gov Seriake Dickson through the BDIC would liase with the various heads to build creative capital that would eventually generate financial capital and add value to the state.

Earlier, the Managing Directors of the Companies had enumerated several challenges assailing them principal of which was the lack of take -off capital, huge outstanding liabilities and, of course, funding generally.Responding, the Deputy Managing Director charged the directors to be more proactive in their strategies in order to circumvent and surmount the challenges by constantly devising means of generating income.Under the new arrangement, the Corporation is to serve as a holding company for subsidiary entities.

The strategy meeting was convened by the BDIC to examine the status of the companies with a view to enabling it take strategic action plans aimed at repositioning the companies for efficient production and quality service delivery.

It had in attendance, the Managing Directors of Bayelsa Airlines, Cpt. Henry Ungbuku, Bayelsa Hotels and Tourism Development Company, Dr. Bribena who was represented by Head of Admin, Mr. Samuel Ikiba, Bayelsa Property and Investment Company, Mr. Azana Patrick Azazi and Mr. Morris Walson, a Board Member of Bayelsa Farms.

 It will be recalled that Bayelsa is 6.6% of Nigeria’s economy, the fourth largest, 3rd largest oil producer and 7th largest fish basket.   However, 92 % of its 2million population reside in the rural areas, underscoring the imperatives for rural infrastructural development.What is more, its GSP of N2.4 trillion or $18.5bn is large enough to attract the right kind of investors to catalyze development, as it is larger than the national and combined GDP of Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Cape Verde and Liberia.

Interestingly, among the 15 ECOWAS nations, only Ghana and Cote’d Voire have national GDPs larger than Bayelsa’s GSP.This clearly shows that the state occupies a key position in the emerging political economy of Africa and that the objective to translate it to a top 5 economy in Africa is not just political grandstanding or hocus pocus but is indeed, achievable if round pegs are put in round holes.

But this potential has been seriously threatened by the structural imbalances which require oil revenue (96% of GSP) to be remitted to the central government and distributed based on some whimsical fiscal parameters that put the state at a disadvantaged position.

And this is why the Governor sought for and got a seasoned investment banker like Tamunoye Alazigha who has in his kitty over 19 years of experience in financial management at JP Morgan Chase, US Trust Bank of America, and BGL to pilot the affairs of the corporation.

Indeed, the state has several investment potentials waiting to be harnessed in tourism and hospitality, agriculture, aquaculture, oil and Gas, power, mineral deposits and infrastructure.

And the challenge in the form of lack of indigenous skilled manpower and harsh geographical terrain, according to the Chief Economic Adviser, only represent opportunities for growth and investment.But the absence of a focused, visionary, ambitious and charismatic leadership in the past has meant that over the years these potentials had been left largely untapped.

Today, however, a new Bayelsa is emerging. The story is beginning to be different.Already, the BDIC has been instrumental in jumpstarting and leapfrogging the economy by attracting core investors into critical sectors like hospitality and tourism, agriculture and aviation, health and energy to mention but a few.  

Signed:  Famous Obebi Famous
Special Assistant (Media) to the Chief Economic Adviser 

PDP DETERMINES NATION’S STABILITY, AS DICKSON URGES MEMBERS TO CLOSE RANKS

The Bayelsa State Governor and the Chairman of the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party,PDP Reconciliation Committee, Hon. Seriake Dickson says the stability of the Country depends on the stability of the PDP.

This, according to him is as a result of the Party’s spread and its unbroken hold on power in the last 14 years, noting that, the party remains the strongest centripetal force that holds the diverse Country together irrespective of the threat to its very existence as an indivisible country.

Making this known in his acceptance speech as the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Dickson stressed the need for members of the Party to put aside their differences and forge a common front, adding that the interest of the nation should be of paramount interest in the minds of people, both in the political and non- political fields.

Noting the relevance of the PDP in the nation’s  polity, the Governor said, it now becomes imperative for its members to work together as a team to enhance the success of the party in future elections.According to him, ‘‘at no time in our history has our nation’s unity come under sustained and several attacks as it is now.

Mr. Chairman instead of building a political platform for the unity and development of the Country, the way our party is doing, the centrifugal forces are exploiting our diversity to expand the attacks and even making political capital out of them.‘‘Let me stress here that the PDP is the only political platform from pre-independence till date that has made it possible for a so called minority to win presidential ticket and general election as President.‘‘

A large platform like the PDP cannot be devoid of several tendencies, conflict of interest and all manner of crises. But as democrats, we must evolve ways of appreciating them and resolving crises within the party without stifling people. I think this is what you have done by setting up reconciliation committee’’

Calling on the members to support the reconciliatory efforts of the various committees set up by the leadership of the Party, the Governor disclosed that the mandate of his committee is to provide the template that will make the ruling party organize credible primaries and select candidates for elections.Urging the members to take advantage of the Committee, Hon. Dickson said, ‘it is the Party, and only the Party that wins election; no individual has the capacity to single handedly win an election. To us, the Party is like a race horse, anybody can ride once it is strong’

Daniel Iworiso-Markson                                                                                                           
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State 
25/07/2013

GOV. DICKSON TO OPEN OFFICE TO COLLATE AND HARMONISE PROJECTS BY AGENCIES/COMPANIES, ALSO TO CHECK DUPLICATION OF PROJECTS

GOV. DICKSON TO OPEN OFFICE TO COLLATE AND HARMONISE PROJECTS BY AGENCIES/COMPANIES, ALSO TO CHECK DUPLICATION OF PROJECTS

  A Partnership Office is to be established soon in Bayelsa State to collate and harmonize all development needs of communities in the State. When established, it will also serve as a one stop office to equally authenticate and harmonize all development efforts being undertaken by interventionist agencies as well as check the duplication of projects.

 Governor Seriake Dickson dropped the hint during a tripartite meeting between the state government, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC and Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC on the construction of the Ogbia and Nembe road project. “I like to thank SPDC and NDDC, which are our development partners for their initiative and investments over the years, particularly on this road and all the interventionist projects that are going on.

In this state we are establishing the Partnership Office and once it is functional, it will be a one stop office that will collate and harmonise all development needs of our communities and various efforts by the interventionist agencies they are handling.” When functional, the Governor explained that, all interventionist agencies would liaise directly with the partnership office and communities to streamline their activities. 

In his words: “This meeting has been summoned because we want to know the state of affairs of the Ogbia/Nembe road. I campaigned on the need to invest in critical infrastructure in this state and we are delivering on that”  Governor Dickson explained that the meeting was convened for representatives of the companies involved in the execution of the Ogbia/Nembe road project to brief him on the position of the road to enable government intervene where necessary to ensure that the project is delivered on schedule. 

 He stressed that it was necessary to move on to the next phase of the road project, which he described as the most expensive and challenging in order to ensure completion of the project within the stipulated time frame. 

While, pointing out that construction work was already ongoing on two senatorial roads, expressed concern over the delay of work on the Nembe-Brass road, stressing that, his administration was desirous of opening up the state to boost socio-economic activities. “We have the objective of hitting the Atlantic Ocean on three main fronts.

The west through Ekeremor and Agge; that job is going on, the central through Yenagoa-Oporoma-Koluama-Ukubie, work is going on seriously as we speak but then our plans to get to the Atlantic in Brass cannot move further if we are not sure of a realistic time frame for the completion of the road already started from Ogbia to Nembe because the road we want to take is from Nembe to Brass. But even if that road is started and finished, it will be of no effect unless we first ensure that we can get to Nembe and that is why that project is very important to us.

 In an interview with government house correspondents shortly after the meeting, Secretary to the state government, Prof. Edmund Alison Oguru, said the issues responsible for the delay on the project were discussed as well as ways and means to address the challenges. 

Also in his remarks, Chairman of the Directorate of Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Chief Walter Feghabo-Amain said the meeting deliberated on issues of compensation and local content employment. Chief Feghabo-Amain who doubles as chairman of the Project Monitoring Committee of the Ogbia/Nembe road noted that, compensation for those whose farms were affected by the project and the issue of employment for communities situated along the road would be addressed. 

In their separate interviews, representatives of SPDC, Mr. Evans Krukrubo, NDDC, Mr. Edi Orubo and the Project Manager of SETRACO, Senaka Rupanett, stated that the partners involved in the execution of the road have expressed commitment to the completion of the project in 2015.

Mr. Krukrubo said the SPDC was funding the project by 70% while the commissioner on the board of the NDDC, Mr. Orubo observed that the meeting would go a long way in improving the performance level of the commission as outstanding payments to it would be sorted out in the next one week.       

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
25/07/2013

BAYELSA SIGNS MOU WITH 9 FIRMS UNDER PPP FRAMEWORK TO ACHIEVE A PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN ECONOMY

 BAYELSA SIGNS MOU WITH 9 FIRMS UNDER PPP FRAMEWORK TO ACHIEVE A PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN ECONOMY 

 Bayelsa State Government has signed a memorandum of Understanding with nine companies under the public private partnership (PPP) framework to accelerate its investment drive. 

The companies are Lagray Chemicals, USA, for the development of pharmaceutical products, DST Petroleum Ltd, for the establishment of a fertilizer plant in Brass, Octopol Energy Ltd for gas conversion and Goshen Treasures Ltd for the development of the Bayelsa Plastic Industry. 

Others are, KABLETECH Nigeria Ltd- manufacturing of electricity cables, Ugboduma and Sons Ltd-development of tourism city, Alyn Global Services Ltd, building of aquarium facility and Clinotech Tunkey Management, Canada for the production of quarry and other concrete works.  

 Speaking at the signing of the agreements, Governor Seriake Dickson described the event as a step forward in the realization of the present administration’s vision to turn around the state’s economy to a private sector driven one rather than a private dominated economy. 

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmund Alison Oguru, the Bayelsa State Chief Executive noted that, the areas government intends to focus on include, oil and gas, agriculture, electricity and development of infrastructure to create employment and income to grow an economy that would be sustainable beyond oil and gas. 

To actualize this dream, he expressed government’s preparedness to collaborate with the private sector, stating that what the state needed most were investment partners and not just contractors.

 Governor Dickson assured the investors that Government will continue to provide an investment friendly climate as evidenced in the current efforts being made to enthrone an enduring security.

 In his words:” When we came in, we had some experiences; one of which is that over the years we have had instances where investors came into this state and promised to spend their own money but the government ended up footing the bills. What I will like to therefore caution is that the Bayelsa State of the present administration really wants not just contractors but development partners because of one or two bitter experiences.

 “Those of you who have signed these memoranda of understanding should try as much as possible to be true development partners and not just contractors. On our own part, we want to assure you that we will create the enabling environment to enable you deliver on these investment proposals.”

 The state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Ayakeme Massah and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Francis Egele supervised the signing of the agreements. 

In their separate remarks, representatives of the various firms, commended the state government for opening a window of opportunity for them, noting that the PPP arrangement would go a long way in creating skills, jobs and economic prosperity. 

Representative of Lagray, Dr. Alexandra Graham said her organization would position the state to supply most of the essential medicine needs in a sustainable manner. 

Also, Dr. Bina Avery who stood in for the Goshen Treasure Ltd, said his company was partnering with technical experts from Czech Republic to revamp the state-owned Plastic Company.

 According to him, Goshen Treasures Ltd is poised to establish a polymer science institute to train Bayelsans on plastic making, adding that talks are underway on the equity share ownership.

 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
25/07/2013

AS BAYELSA GOVT PLANS WELFARE SCHEME FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED, GOV DICKSON WARNS AGAINST ANY BREACH OF THE PEACE

In keeping with its policy of supporting the weak and vulnerable, Governor Seriake Dickson has set up a committee headed by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development to authenticate the number of physically challenged people in the State.

According to a Government House statement, the move is aimed at properly establishing the real identities of the number of physically challenged persons in state, particularly the need to establish how many of them are Bayelsans, the local government and communities that they hail from and the families they belong to.

This is with a view to ensuring that they are properly captured within existing frameworks already established by Government through the setting up of a welfare scheme instituted to cater for the aged and vulnerable in our midst.

 Accordingly, physically challenged persons in the state who must be indigenes of Bayelsa State will soon be called upon by the committee set up by Government to register their names and provide other relevant details to enable them benefit from Government support going forward.This move by Government became expedient in line with current realities and the need to give those properly authenticated and recommended by the committee as genuine and deserving of government support a greater sense of belonging.

It stated that, while government remains committed to the restoration of the lost glory of the State, it warned the physically challenged to be law abiding, as Government will not tolerate any acts of lawlessness in any part of the State, stressing that, it will apply the full weight of the law on any individual or group that attempts to take the laws into its hands.

The statement further advised the physically challenged and other residents of the State not to allow themselves to be used by those who do not mean well for the state to cause a breakdown of law and order as well as create unnecessary disaffection amongst the people of the State.

It also called for the massive support, encouragement, understanding and prayers of the people to ensure that the programmes and policies of government do not suffer any setbacks. 

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
In keeping with its policy of supporting the weak and vulnerable, Governor Seriake Dickson has set up a committee headed by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development to authenticate the number of physically challenged people in the State.

According to a Government House statement, the move is aimed at properly establishing the real identities of the number of physically challenged persons in state, particularly the need to establish how many of them are Bayelsans, the local government and communities that they hail from and the families they belong to.

This is with a view to ensuring that they are properly captured within existing frameworks already established by Government through the setting up of a welfare scheme instituted to cater for the aged and vulnerable in our midst.

 Accordingly, physically challenged persons in the state who must be indigenes of Bayelsa State will soon be called upon by the committee set up by Government to register their names and provide other relevant details to enable them benefit from Government support going forward.This move by Government became expedient in line with current realities and the need to give those properly authenticated and recommended by the committee as genuine and deserving of government support a greater sense of belonging.

It stated that, while government remains committed to the restoration of the lost glory of the State, it warned the physically challenged to be law abiding, as Government will not tolerate any acts of lawlessness in any part of the State, stressing that, it will apply the full weight of the law on any individual or group that attempts to take the laws into its hands.

The statement further advised the physically challenged and other residents of the State not to allow themselves to be used by those who do not mean well for the state to cause a breakdown of law and order as well as create unnecessary disaffection amongst the people of the State.

It also called for the massive support, encouragement, understanding and prayers of the people to ensure that the programmes and policies of government do not suffer any setbacks. 

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

GOV. DICKSON BERATES OIL COMPANIES OVER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH BEST PRACTICES

GOV. DICKSON BERATES OIL COMPANIES OVER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH BEST PRACTICES

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has lent his voice in condemning oil producing companies for not conforming to international standards and best practices in their operations in the Niger Delta.

The Governor, who spoke in Yenagoa when the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Ambassador Bert Ronhaar paid him a courtesy call, observed that the application of double standards by multinational oil companies contributes significantly to the impoverishment of the environment and people of the region.

Hon. Dickson lamented the brazen manner resources of the Niger Delta are expropriated, pointing out that the level of environmental degradation occasioned by the operations of IOCs places the region on a precarious situation.

According to the Governor, the ecosystem and livelihood of people in the Niger Delta have been negatively impacted upon as a result of oil exploration and exploitation activities over the years.Going down memory lane, Hon Dickson noted that the Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum Company struck oil in commercial quantities at Oloibiri in Bayelsa State in 1956, but is today bereft of any meaningful development.“We have major issues of how to combat flooding, erosion of our communities and damaged ecosystem. 

 There are also frightening scientific predictions that if urgent steps are not taken, most of the communities in the Niger Delta will be wiped away in the next couple of years.“There is now a disconnect arising from the decades of what is perceived to be nonchalant attitude by the international oil companies.  

The communities now see the operating companies as buccaneers who do not care about them and their conditions. Their (IOCs) concern is only the oil and not the people’s well-being.  The activities here are such that you have double standards in terms of adherence to environmental rules, regulations and procedures” he said.

Governor Dickson, who described the environment as the common heritage of mankind, vowed that his administration would not hesitate in joining forces with other stakeholders in championing the need for environmental rights and justice in the country.According to him, “The environment has to be respected in the Niger Delta the same way it is protected and preserved in Europe and America; an oil spill is an oil spill wherever it occurs, whether it is in the Niger Delta or in the Gulf of Mexico”. 

While thanking the visiting Ambassador for his efforts in deepening diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the kingdom of the Netherlands, Hon. Dickson urged the envoy to prevail on oil companies particularly Shell to adhere to international operational standards.

He also called on the Ambassador to nominate credible consultants that could work with the government in the designing and construction of a sustainable drainage system that would enable the state overcome its flooding challenges.

Earlier in his remarks, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Ambassador Bert Ronhaar said he was in the state to discuss possible areas of collaboration that will strengthen bilateral ties between his country and the state.

Describing Bayelsa as a state that share a lot of similarities with Netherlands, the Ambassador enjoined people of the state not to see water as an enemy, stressing that there is so much to gain from it if properly harnessed.

Ambassador Ronhaar pledged his country’s readiness to partner with the state government by bringing in Dutch technocrats who possess the much needed technical expertise to combat the problem of flooding, erosion and other environmental challenges. 

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
24/07/2013

BAYELSA PROPOSED JUDICIAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

BAYELSA PROPOSED JUDICIAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY 

We will not join issues with a drowning man.Governor Dickson’s competence is very much evident for all to see. The good people of Bayelsa State can tell the difference between night and day.

The decision of the State government to set up a judicial panel of enquiry to probe the backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities is premised on the need to address the deep seated rot and systematic failure perpetrated by some disgruntled civil servants with the active collaboration of some political leaders.These persons working as syndicates have over the years siphoned N5billion meant for the payment of pensioners in the State.

Concerned about the plight of these pensioners, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson since coming into office has paid N1billion to the Pensioners in his efforts to clear the backlog.While, we are working hard to clear the backlog, the same syndicates, instead of hiding their faces in shame, have chosen to embark on a campaign of calumny and propaganda against the Government by inciting some of the pensioners to embark on street protest.

To this end, government decided to set up the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to ascertain why pensioners were owed pension and gratuities for the past five years and the public servants that have subjected our senior citizens to untold hardship.

It is equally laughable that some people who may have perpetrated the scam are questioning why Governor Dickson limited the period of the investigation to five years.

Those who were responsible for the payment of pension and gratuities during the period should be ready to provide answers as to why civil servants/ public servants who are supposed to be enjoying their retirement with full benefits are being subjected to untold misery by fellow human beings.

The truth is that Governor Dickson decided to limit the commission to the last five years because civil servants have never had it so bad before this period. We want to assure Bayelsans and Nigerians as a whole that the commission is not on a witch haunting mission but on a fact finding one.  

Government wishes to use this opportunity to call on all and sundry to be weary of the antics of mischief makers and failed politicians, who would want to use them to derail the existing peace and tranquility in the State just to achieve their selfish motives. 

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