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.
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