Monday 22 October 2012

Bayelsa to Give Legal Backing to Order of Precedence and Protocol

22 OCTOBER 2012
The Bayelsa state Government has inaugurated a committee on preparation of order of precedence and comprehensive protocol list in the state. Governor Seriake Dickson, who inaugurated the members at the executive council chambers, government, house, Yenagoa, said the need arose because of the absence of a proper protocol services in government.

According to him, “part of what we found missing when we came into office was the absence of proper protocol services, procedures and practices and tradition in government.

“Government has its tradition and those in government must conform to certain standard or behaviour in their public or private conduct”. Describing the committee as very important, the Governor said, with its inauguration, government will be presented with an ideal order of precedence it will adopt and follow in all its formal transactions.

Dickson, while noting that the existing protocol list creates a lot of confusion, charged the committee to develop a comprehensive one and also look at the applicable laws as contained in the acts of the national Assembly to see how it can be reviewed for use in the state.

He stressed the need to accord recognition to people by virtue of their position and others for their personal achievements and contributions to the service of the state.

The Governor noted that such persons need to be in the protocol list of government. “When there are formal events, the events are open but not open to everybody and the protocol list is what guides governments invitation.

“So it very, very important aspect of the tradition of government and this we found to be inadequate”, he opined. Dickson gave approval to the recruitment of young men and women into the protocol service of the state in addition to co-opting those with the required experience from all arms of government to enable people attending government programmes get the right attention.

For its permanent usage in governance, the governor stated that he will soon forward a bill to that effect to the state house of assembly for legislation so that the order of precedence and protocol list can become a law in the state.

He called on the public and the state house of assembly to send in names in their constituents who they feel deserve to be in the protocol list while also calling on the speaker of the house of assembly to inform his colleagues in the house on the issue.

The Governor also used the occasion to announce that government will soon inaugurate a committee on values. In his response, the secretary to the state government, Prof. Edmund Allison Oguru, who is chairman of the committee, assured the governor that the members would give their best to make the assignment a success.

The SSG expressed pleasure to serve in a committee, which he described as made up of highly qualified individuals while accepting the onerous responsibility of chairing the committee.

Other members of the committee include the chief of staff, government house, the director, state protocol, the Attorney-General and commissioner for justice and the clerk of the state house of assembly.

The rest are the commissioner for information and orientation, the chief registrar, High court of Justice, permanent secretary, ministry of local government and community development, the chief press secretary to the governor and Mrs. Timi Okara-Schiller.

Gov Dickson Signs Bayelsa State Judiciary Autonomy Bill into Law.

22 OCTOBER 2012
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson has signed the State Judiciary Autonomy Bill into law in conformity with the provisions of the constitution.

Assenting to the bill at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Governor Dickson said the move was a demonstration of the importance his administration attaches to the financial autonomy of the Judiciary.

According to the Governor, “having had the privilege of being a member of the Bar as well as Attorney-General of the state and now Governor, he is in a better position to provide the requirements of the Judiciary towards improving the delivery of justice in the state”.

He however observed that the constitution does not stipulate the framework for the implementation and the execution of the autonomy of the Judiciary.

As part of government’s commitment to build institutions rather than personal powers, Governor Dickson noted that he decided to create a legal backing for the autonomy so that it would not be over-ruled by any administrative fiat in future.

With the autonomy of the Judiciary in place, the State Chief Executive said the development signals a new dawn in the history of the Judiciary and expressed confidence in the 3rd Arm of government to manage its affairs, especially in financial matters in line with the rules of the public service.

As he puts it, “with effect from the life of the next budget, I or any other Governor that will come after me will not have to treat approvals and requests from the Judiciary anymore”.

While calling on other Governors to support the move for a truly independent Judicial arm of government, Governor Dickson said the Judiciary was too important as it is the last hope of the common man.

“Our democracy is not safe and it cannot be secured. Our civil rights cannot be protected unless we strengthen our Judiciary which alone has the constitutional authority to deepen our freedoms and protect our fundamental liberties” he declared.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kombowei Benson said the bill was deliberated and passed within a week considering its significance.

Saturday 20 October 2012

GOVERNOR DICKSON VISITS ALL REFUGEE CAMPS; ASSURES VICTIMS OF GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR POST FLOOD REHABILITATION

GOVERNOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON
GOVERNOR DICKSON VISITS ALL REFUGEE CAMPS; ASSURES VICTIMS OF GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR POST FLOOD REHABILITATION
Today, October 20th 2012 Governor Henry Seriake Dickson visited all the refugee camps in the State. This is about the fifth time the Governor has visited all the refugee camps to ascertain the magnitude of the flood disaster and assess the workings of State Government interventions in the State.
It will be recalled that since the flood disaster started about a month ago, the Bayelsa State Government has left no stone unturned to ensure that security and welfare of Bayelsan is not compromised. Today’s visit took the Governor to all the camps in Yenagoa, Sagbama, Ogbia including the camp at Otuoke – home town of President Goodluck Jonathan. During the visit, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson interacted with flood victims some of whom were in high spirit that the flood would recede so they could live normal lives again. The victims commended t
he Governor for the timely intervention. Refugees in the camps were particularly happy that the Bayelsa State Government was already gearing up for post flood mitigation and rehabilitation.
At the BDGS and Igbogene Camps, Governor Dickson ordered that relief materials including medicine be administered on the people especially women and Children to avoid the outbreak of cholera and other communicable diseases. At the Otuoke Camp, Governor Dickson pledged that he would the warehouses opened up by the Government would stock food stuff and other essential commodities, and these commodities would be sold at a subsidized rate to Bayelsans. Expectations are high that soon the flood waters would recede.
The consensus of public opinion is that Governor Dickson is one of the most proactive Governors who have demonstrated robust determination to tackle the flood and see to the welfare of flood victims in the State. Unlike other States, Bayelsa State has bnot recorded any major incident of crisis in the refugee camps, courtesy of the effective monitoring mechanism put in place by the Governor. Bayelsa State subsumes under category ‘A’ because aerial photographs showed that more than 90% of the State is under water.





Tuesday 9 October 2012

B.N.M.T COMMENDS GOV. DICKSON ON FLOOD DISASTER INTERVENTION


UPDATES OF EFFORTS by Governor Dickson in Resolving the Flood DISASTER IN BAYELSA STATE

Without doubt, Bayelsa state is designated in category ‘’A’’ in the ongoing flood disaster. This was disclosed by Mr President during a nationwide broadcast by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Prior to the announcement, His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, the Governor of bayelsa state is one of the first Governor in Nigeria to constitute an emergency response flood management committee. Recognising the devastating effects of flood and the fact that Bayelsa state is 90% maritime, Governor Dickson inaugurates the committee with admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah rtd, Deputy Governor as chairman. The Governor went further to designate the Samson Siasia sport complex, Yenagoa as Camp for displaced.
Only in Yenagoa, apart from the major Camps at the Sports Complex, two other Camps were established in Bishop Dimeari Grammar school and Igbogene. Further, all the headquarters of the eight local government areas were designated as Refugee camps.
The Dickson’s administration has taken Proactive steps to tackle the flood disaster in the state. So far, tents, blankets, foods, mattresses and cooking utensils have been provided and distributed to all the camps. Government has started to monitor the activities of NGOs such as RESTORATION YOUTH NETWORK and other indigenous CBO’s in managing the crisis.
Verily, the Bayelsa state Governments has proved to be living up to the expectation o both displaced people and the role of Not-for-profit Organisations and enjoins philanthropic individuals to assist displaced persons to assuage the fears of the populace and mitigate the hardship faced by the people displaced by the ravaging flood.
The Bayelsa New Media Team hereby commends Governor Henry Seriake Dickson on the timely manner it intervened to manage the humanitarian disaster precipitated by the flood.  When the B.N.M.T visited two of the camps today, a huge number of people were in good spirit, even though some of them faced challenges, which are within the control of the authorities. The B.N.M.T also consulted with other NGO’s and their leaders expressed hope that if the heavens would close her wombs for two days, certainly the floods will recede. However, the aftermath of the disaster may be colossal.  
There are oval possibilities that, with the closing of the dam in the Republic of Cameroon and the effort of Government at all levels, the flood disaster would equip all agencies of Government to redouble efforts at managing natural disasters in the future.
B.N.M.T Reporting

Sunday 7 October 2012

GOV DICKSON ACHIEVEMENTS IN 7MONTHS (RESTORING BAYELSA)

GOVERNOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON HAS ACCOMPLISHED THE FOLLOWING:
 
PIX: GOVERNOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON DURING THE COMMISSIONING OF THE IZON HOUSE IN YENAGOA

1. Vigorous pursuit of robust educational programmes such the free education policy:
 

• Implementation of FREE EDUCATION at the basic level
 

• Commencement of academic work in the Teacher Training Institute
 

• Commencement of academic Work in BYCAS
 


• Near completion of the Bayelsa State Sports Academy

2. Entrenchment of transparency and accountability in the system
 


3. Weeding out ghost workers and drastic reduction of the wage bill
 


4. Laying the foundations for industrialization and tourism development
 


5. Provision of taxis for urban transportation and buses for students
 


6. Promotion of the ijaw language, culture and identity
 


7. 150 housing units about to be commenced
 


8. Award of contracts for comprehensive renovation of schools, and building of staff quarters
 


9. Commissioning of the INC building
 


10. Award of 25 Road Contracts
 


11. Entrenchment of Peace and Security thereby creating a conducive atmosphere for Foreign Direct Investment
 


12. Abolition of cultism, criminality and crime in Bayelsa State. The banning of Okada is one of such measures. The establishment of DOO AKPOR is another. 
 


13. Establishment of a vibrant Social Media Infrastructure in the State
 


14. Transparency at the Local Government Level. Local Government Chairmen now disclose their income and expenditure on a monthly basis.

Saturday 6 October 2012

BAYELSA GOVT DECLARES N17BILLION AS INCOME FOR AUGUST 2012

         GOVERNMENT OF BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA:

The Bayelsa State Government has declared N17, 974,746,254.60K as income for the month of
August 2012, from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC.

Governor Seriake Dickson explained that the figure was high as a result of special refund received from the Federal Government.

On the directive of the State Governor, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Duate Iyabi gave
a breakdown of the income at the monthly Transparency Initiative Press Briefing
in Yenagoa, the State Capital.

According to the Commissioner, deductions at source stood at N3.2 billion out of which
Bond deduction amounted to N1.2 billion while Deduction of Foreign Loans came up to
N12.4 million.
Mr. Iyabi further noted that, a refund of Over-payment Derivation Indices of N187.8 million
was made, while N219.2 million was also deducted as 13% Derivation Indices Recovery,
while a payment of January/ February 2012 Recovery stood at N854 Million.

A deduction of N83 million for Agriculture loan scheme was also made, leaving a balance of
N14.6 billion.
On Expenditure, the Commissioner for Finance explained that N923 million was made
as Bank Loan repayment while N200 million was for Internal Revenue deductions.
According to him, Civil Servant Salaries came up to N3 billion and that of Political
Appointees amounted to N280 million, N250 million was for gratuity payments and
N936 million was for Monthly Overhead Payments, further leaving a balance of
N7.4 Billion.
On the special refunds, Mr. Iyabi explained that the total amount received was N7.3
Billion.
A breakdown of the figure according to Mr. Iyabi, indicated that refunds on the bond issued was N1.9 Billion while special refunds from the Federal Government on recoveries amounted to N5 billion.

Mr. Iyabi also explained that N27 billion was utilized for capital payments adding that on
the whole, the State had a retained balance of
N26.4 billion.

Bayelsans Told to Eschew Politics of Bitterness, Hatred

Governor Seriake Dickson has called on Bayelsans to show love and be patriotic towards the state.  The Governor made the call while responding to questions at the Monthly Transparency Initiative Press Briefing held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.
According to him, for the state to move forward, people need to shun rumuor mongering and eschew politics of bitterness and hatred.
While also calling on them not to be impatient, Hon Dickson said Government is fully on track to restore the state back to its lost glory and enjoined the people to render support to his administration.
Commenting on questions bordering on the redesigning of school buildings to guard against flood, as well as give a breakdown on capital projects and Government’s blueprint for the water sub-sector, the Governor said “The transparency briefing is not about giving details as we expect all ministries to give a detailed account of their activities.
The foundations of this Government are hinged on openness so I expect all to abide by the rules”, he remarked.
He noted that Government’s commitment to the people is performance and announced that his administration will not support memos from Government officials for recurrent expenditures, but that his expectation is for them to generate capital projects.
Hon Dickson said that Government’s programme for the water sub-sector is to carry out research studies to enable Government take the best steps to provide portable water for the people, adding that next year the required technology will be put in place across the state.
The state chief Executive tasked the media on the need to continue to verify facts before going to the press noting that he takes it as a point of duty to read local and national dailies regularly.
He said Government’s commitment to revamp the educational sub-sector necessitated the re-establishment of the Bayelsa State Collage of Arts and Science (BYCAS) at Elebele town to enable youths, who do not have the requisite qualification to proceed to University, remedy their papers.
Hon Dickson, therefore, called on youths to take advantage of the school to chart a new course for themselves instead of roaming the streets of Yenagoa.
He used the occasion to announce the setting up of a committee to fish out relevant graduates working in the Public Service and State Environmental Sanitation Authority to be trained at the Teacher’s Training Institute, Sagbama for redeployment to the teaching profession.
Earlier, Governor Dickson commiserated with victims of communities affected by flood who lost valuable items.
The Governor disclosed that a high powered Government delegation to be headed by the State Deputy Governor including all the Local Government Council Chairmen, his special representatives in the Local Government Areas and selected commissioners will be set up by Government to provide relief to affected communities.
He assured the people that as a Government, it will ensure adequate food supplies in the state as well as other necessities while it will also take steps to curb any outbreak of health hazard due to effects of water borne diseases.
The Governor pointed out that people from the communities that have been submerged by the flood have been given shelter at the Samson Siasia sports complex, Yenagoa which is to serve as the main refugee camp, while Kaiama, the headquarters of Kolokuma/Opokuma will take care of victims of Odi and Sampou communities.

WORLD TEACHERS DAY CELEBRATED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MONTHLY TRANSPARENCY BRIEFING BY GOV SERIAKE HENRY DICKSON.

WORLD TEACHERS DAY CELEBRATED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MONTHLY TRANSPARENCY BRIEFING BY GOV SERIAKE HENRY DICKSON.
It was indeed an Electrifying Atmosphere as Banquet hall,Government House was filled to the Brim Yesterday, as Teachers in Bayelsa State were celebrated by the Bayelsa State Government as part of its Restoration Promise.

The Event kick started with a Speech from the NUT Chairman Bayelsa state Chapter,who in his Speech highlighted the Challenges faced by Teachers in the State and the need for Government to do more on Teacher welfare. He also touched on the Laudable achievement of the Governor as it pertains to Education,some of which were the Free Education Policy, free uniforms and school bags amounting to 150,000 pieces as the first batch, and not forgetting the free school buses transporting the students to and from their respective home.


Gov Seriake Dickson soon after addressed the August gathering and once again assured the Teachers of Bayelsa State of his Undiluted Commitment to their Well being and his total Support for the Noble Profession.


He further stated that, the just concluded one week teachers training was not a witch hunt against anyone but facilitated to ensure quality standards in our schools. It was a huge success as majority of the teachers who participated in the training passed the Test with Flying Colors, and those teachers who scored below average will be retrained at the Teachers Training Institute.


Gov Dickson said the Non Academic Teachers in our Schools were about 7,000 plus while the full time teachers were 5,000 in number which was very alarming to him and should note be left unchecked, he said one of his Primary aim is to employ more teachers into the work force of the state and Graduates Presently working at Environmental Sanitation Authority be De-congested and employed as teachers, as they will eventually be replaced with skilled workers as that should be the Prerogative of the aforementioned authority. He further voiced his displeasure at the way and manner recruitment of Staff at the said Authority was handled and warned against the use of sentiment at the said Authority.


He also said, most graduates working at Environmental Sanitation Authority will not be given their October salaries as they will be redeployed to Primary or Secondary schools to teach.


Gov Henry Dickson also addressed the Outstanding Arrears of the teachers and immediately directed the Head of Service in collaboration with a five man Committee to submit to him, a thorough report on the said matter, for proper disbursement of the said Arrears to its Beneficiaries.


The Governor touched on the need for us as a people to shun Rumor Mongering and to abstain from the use of Blackmail to score cheap political points. He said the days of playing politics was long gone and the time for restoring bayelsa to its lost glory with the prayers and Support of its citizens was paramount.


Governor Dickson who was distorted by the Floods making the round in most parts of the state said, the Deputy Governor and some other high powered delegates had been assigned to ensure Succor was given to the flood victims in the form of relief materials, as temporary sites such as Samson Siasia Stadia has been allocated as a Temporary shelter for those affected by the Flood.


Some members of the Press were given the opportunity to ask the Governor some Questions, ranging from his ability to Kick start the free education policy and maintaining it, to his reading of the Local newspapers in bayelsa state which he confirmed by stating his unshakable commitment to developing bayelsa state and his love for Local Content as it applies to media.


Gov Dickson reiterated his resolve to run a Transparent and accountable Government and thus, for the Month of August, Monies Received was- 17,974,746,254.60k (seventeen billion,nine hundred and seventy four million,seven hundred and fourty six thousand,two hundred and fifty four naira,sixty kobo. He later called on the Commissioner for Finance to give a brief Breakdown of the total expenditure which will be accumulated properly and posted in due time.


Governor Dickson ended his Speech by re-assuring all and sundry of his passion to better the lives of the citizens as more projects will be springing up in the next few months as he was not resting on his Oars, he said the need for total change in our attitude and approach to work was key as channeling our line of thoughts to supporting and praying for the success of the Government would be much appreciated.

Blessing Oyanimugha
Reporting for BNMT.



 

FREE YOUTUBE TRAINING IN YENAGOA

GOVERNMENT OF BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA
Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research & Social Media Government House, P.M.B.01, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State – Nigeria

The under-listed persons have been selected to undertake specialized training on Youtube in Yenagoa
Name: Gender

1. BLESSING OYANIMIGHA……………….……………Female
2. SEKEGHA OGUARA…………………….……………..Male
3. EBI BRISIBE…………………………………………..Male
4. ININA JULIUS………………………………..………..Female
5. ANITA GODSPOWER BENAKIEGHA………......……Female
6. BOKORU JULIUS TRUST…………………………….Male
7. KOKOBAIYE ABEKI……………………………………Male
8. KARINA MATTHEW……………………………………Female
9. ROBINSON EREBI……………………………………..Male
10. ANDREW EHIGHIATOR………………………………Male
11. CHARLES MOPHO M…………………………………Male
12. CHARLES OPUWARIBO…………………….……….Male
13. BECKY BINAEBI OVURU……….…………......…….Female
14. NWOKEDI NWORISARA……………………………..Male
15. SAINT MIENPAMO ONITSHA………………………Male
16. AMBE TARI BRAAH………………………………..Female
17. VICTOR YABRIFA……………………………………...Male
18. DENNIS ALEMU………………………………………..Male
19. KOLA RICHARD………………………………………..Male
20. ERIC E. JOHNNY………………………………………..Male
21. BARAKUMO ODEDE………………………………….Male
22. OTONYE NELSON-EBIMIE…………………………..Male
23. TARIBIO EDOGHOTU……………………………….Male
24. GODSPOWER BENAKIEGHA……………..…………Male
25. CYNTHIA BENSON ASIERI……………….…………Female
26. ANITA BEREPELENYO ABRAKASA…….....……….Female
27. JENIFFER ATABIRI………………………………….Female
28. ROLAND NUMOFAGHA…………..………………...Male
29. MAYOMI ASUKU…………………………………….Male
30. DEACONESS AZIBAKANYE………………………..Female
31. IMOUKHUEDE VIENNA ESELESAM...…………..Female
32. ENIYE LOVETH……………………………………..Male
33. HELEN BOB…………………………………………Female
34. CATHERINE OMUKOROGHA……………………..Female
35. PREYE TANBOU……………………………………Male

A specific date for the training will be announced soon. The aforementioned persons should contact the trainers - IN FOCUS PR or Chi Tola Roberts on 08139399383 to confirm the accuracy of spelling of names to enable trainers prepare toolkits & certificates.

Idumange John - Research & Social Media

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