MY ADDRESS AT THE 2012 DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION HELD AT THE SPORTS COMPLEX IN YENAGOA
On a day like this, I like to begin by congratulating you all as we
celebrate the 13th anniversary of our democracy. Today marks a renewal
of our abiding faith in our country and in our democracy. Our hard-won
democracy is as a result of your resilience and by the grace of God, it
is now 13 years old, the longest in this country’s history.
For us in Bayelsa, the day means so much because, among other things,
one of our own, a son of this state, a great leader, is the President of
this country. I like to congratulate you all, I like to congratulate
Bayelsans, the Ijaw Nation
and the entire people of Nigeria for this
great honour you have done to us by supporting and electing our
President, who we know and believe, will strive to continue to do a good
job as he is presently doing.
On a day like this, I will like
to call on you all to work on your resolve to serve, protect and
entrench our democracy, and you can do this by offering prayers and by
supporting all elected leaders at all levels of government.
Deriving from the fore-going, it is important for us as Bayelsans and
Nigerians to support our resolve to build a strong, united and
prosperous Federal Republic
of Nigeria. Now, more than any time
before, there is need for us to emphasise on the things that bind us
together as a nation, and not those things that the capacity to separate
us.
It is on the basis of our unity and cohesion that our
democracy and development can be assured, and thereafter the fruits of
democracy will get to every one.
But beyond unity and cohesion,
there is need for us in Bayelsa to have a change of values, we need to
examine our attitudes. It is important to us all to eschew the vices of
corruption and cultism, to embrace transparency and focus
on the
positive things that will enable us to be great citizens of this
country, and be proud members of the great Bayelsa and Ijaw family.
I am not campaigning for election so I don’t want to bore you with long
speeches. We have said enough. The mandate you have given to me is to
now act. I have studied the problems and we have devised our own
strategies. In the last three months, a lot of ground work, a lot of
solid foundation has been laid for your irreversible development and
progress. So, from now on, it will be restoration, restoration,
restoration.
I like to thank you all for your understanding,
patience, solidarity, support and prayers, because without these, all
our well-intended programmes will not be fruitful, will not be
successful and will not be implemented.
I however like to
enjoin you to even show more understanding as we now move into the
critical phase of the restoration agenda, which is the beginning of
actual
restoration.
We have said a lot about the
restoration of values. In all my public speeches, we have tried to sell
the message of zero tolerance to crime, cultism and violence. And I like
to use this opportunity to thank you all, the good and wonderful people
of Bayelsa, and especially our youths, for heeding our call to be
law-abiding and peaceful, even when we disagree.
I like to
also thank all traditional rulers, opinion and political leaders, for
helping in their various ways to bring about this state of normalcy. Let
me also specially thank our men and women in uniform for their
hard-work, dedication and commitment in the protection of our democracy,
and especially to the military men and women working in Bayelsa, for
standing by the government in the enthronement of peace and security. I
congratulate you all and I also congratulate all Bayelsans.
You all know that Bayelsa is the most peaceful state in Nigeria and we
are working hard to keep it so. Just three months into our government,
Yenagoa is the most peaceful
capital in the country, and we will
like to work hard, in conjunction with the security men and women, who
are doing a wonderful job, at the risk of their lives and limbs, to
protect our fundamental freedom and to protect lives and
property.
All of us should continue to work continuously with the security
agencies, and even in our homes and communities to work for peace.
In a few days from now, we shall be launching “Operation Doo Akpo”.
This is what will replace the regime of terror that we all knew about. I
don’t want to talk much about that. So, very soon we shall assemble to
launch the beginning of our effort to maintain, sustain, build upon and
consolidate on the prevailing security, peace and stability. Without
that, all the efforts we are making will come to nothing.
We
have been talking to a lot of people both in the country and outside,
and I want to report to you that there is a great deal of interest. A
lot of people want to come into the state to partner with us and invest
in the state in the areas of tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and
other areas where we can build and develop skills, so we can create jobs
and wealth for our people. We will not be able to achieve this lofty
goal we have set for ourselves if we do not work together to maintain
the peace that we presently have.
Bayelsa is being
re-positioned within the country and outside, as the foremost tourism
and investment destination, and we will not rest until we succeed in
that. If
we do not broaden our economic base, everything we are
doing will not be sustainable. So, join me in this great walk to
freedom, sustainable peace and development.
On a day like
this, it is important for me to highlight a few of the things you will
be seeing and hearing from us. Between this week and next, the process
of awarding various development contracts will begin. Already, all the
major
contractors, Julius Berger, Gitto and Setraco, are back to the state, to join us in the development of the state.
We shall be broadening some roads and dualising several others, so that
we can turn our state capital into the most beautiful state capital in
the country.
Between this week and next, you will be hearing about
the award of contracts for the construction of befitting General
Hospitals in all the local government headquarters, and the process has
already started. You will also be hearing
about the commencement of
the construction of model secondary schools in all the local government
headquarters, and these will have boarding facilities.
We hope
that contractors will be part of this partnership. We will work
assiduously to ensure that these projects and several other jobs are
completed within scheduled time so that the restoration benefits can be
seen.
When I came in, one of the first policy statements I
made, apart from the issue of peace and security, is the declaration of a
state of emergency in the educational sector. And I followed up by
declaring free and compulsory education in this state. The greatest
resource we have is the human being. And let me thank the lady, who I
hear, organised the training of these young people, the Kingdom
Steppers, who put up this brilliant performance. That is what human
capacity development is all about. I have directed that lady be brought
to me so that she can be enabled to do more in this state. Let me thank
the children who performed, and indeed all the children of Bayelsa, who,
in spite of the harsh weather, were prepared to serve the state and
their
fatherland.
Talking about human capacity building therefore, it is our desire, and a policy, and for this purpose, we have set
aside the sum of one billion Naira for the youths of the state who
desire to further their education in any higher institution of their
choice in this country or abroad and this is for this year alone. All
the youths of the state are
hereby encouraged to take advantage of this.
The right thing to do is to increase your capacity to compete with your
peers in this country to represent us effectively in various fields of
human endeavour and bring out the best in you. It is only then that you
can be said to be completely free. And we will not rest until every
Bayelsa child, every Bayelsa young man, young woman and every citizen of
the Ijaw Nation has the capacity to be his or herself. This government
will also not rest until we achieve that.
Opinion leaders,
political leaders in all arms of government should begin the process of
scouting for the best hands among our youths that can be supported to be
the
best that they can be. In the course of the week, I will set up
the Scholarship Board to begin this process. We want to send you to the
best institutions in the country and outside, so that when you come
back, you will be better equipped to compete for places.
As a
result of our resolve to maintain and consolidate on the peace that we
have, we will propose to the State House of Assembly, in no distant
time, a Bill that will prohibit political violence in this state. And
let me use this opportunity
to call on all politicians, political leaders and political actors to learn to play by the rules of the game at all times.
I have fought a lot of political battles without violence. We have been
involved in a lot of political endeavours without raising a finger at
anybody, and the peace we are currently enjoying will not be sustainable
unless we stop political actors from recruiting our vulnerable youths
and arming them with various devises of violence to bring about chaos,
and harm to their fellow citizens. I will not sit back to watch that and
to complement the anti-cultism Bill, we will send the Bill prohibiting
political violence to the House of
Assembly. Those who want to
exercise their political rights and freedom are free to do so but they
will not, under the guise of exercising their political liberty, be
allowed to endanger our collective peace.
You are also aware of
the transparency regime we have instituted and which we will sustain
all the way. Already, a Bill has been passed and signed into Law to
entrench this transparency. This Bill is not necessarily for this
government
but we passed it because we want to create an institution
and enthrone a culture of transparency. I want to call on all local
government chairmen to comply with the provisions of this Law by
rendering regular monthly returns to the people they govern. Any
chairman found wanting on this, will not have it easy with this
administration. I use this opportunity to call on all councillors to
ensure that the provisions of the Law are respected by all council
chairmen.
Let me, at this point, call on you all to continue
to pray for our nation, our President and dear brother and leader. He is
trying his best but we are all aware of the challenges. God, who made
all these possible will see him through.
Very soon, all the
Ijaw leaders and the youths will assemble here to discuss the way
forward and I will not like to pre-empt the outcome of that meeting.
On an occasion like this, I like to pay tribute to our hard-working
civil servants, who are doing so very well but they are also aware of a
few things that are not very right. I have directed verification on all
departments and that process will continue until we get it right. With
this verification and
co-operation from the civil servants, we have
been able to reduce our monthly wage bill by about N400 million already.
But that is not good enough, we will continue until we are able to
clean the pay roll system and ensure that only
people who have been
placed on that pay roll are there, so that we can create room and space
for fresh recruitment instead of allowing few ghost names to siphon our
commonwealth.
That process will continue but because of the
inconvenience occasioned by the exercise, I have directed that with
effect from June, all salaries will be paid on or before 25th. All
those involved with the various nefarious activities will continue to be
investigated. Once the security agencies
are able to establish a prima facea case against anybody such persons, will face prosecution. We have no apologies for that.
We are now able to pay salaries because of the savings we have been
making from the verification exercise. This government will not falter
on transparency. We are here to serve you and not ourselves. Learn to
call your leaders, who are actually your servants, to account. If we
learn to do that, then it will be the biggest dividend of democracy.
I like to thank you all for attending. God bless Bayelsa State.
God bless the Ijaw Nation. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you and God bless you all.
(1). To showcase the aggressive developmental strides initiated by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in 365 days. (2). To underscore the fact that the Restoration Administration has entrenched peace and security in the State, and therefore created an enabling environment to attract investments in tourism, agriculture, health, education, physical infrastructure and other sectors capable of catalyzing growth.
Monday, 14 January 2013
MY SPEECH ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2012 WORKERS’ DAY CELEBRATIONS IN YENAGOA.
01 MAY, 2012.
My dear workers of Bayelsa State, on the 14th of February this year, I assumed office as THE N0. 1 WORKER of our dear State. The people of Bayelsa State voted massively to put us here to serve them and it is one mandate we do not take lightly.
Let me therefore once more through you as workers thank all the good people of our dear state for the support and solidarity shown to me, before, during and after my election and now as Governor.
Similarly, I want to thank you the hardworking, committed and very dedicated workers of this state for the wonderfull support and co-operation we have received from you since our assumption into office.
You will recall in my inaugural address, I promised a paradigm shift in the governance culture of our state. And you all have been witnesses to some of the actions we have taken thus far as a government to Re-organise the governance structure in the state as well as to strengthen the capacity of the public service to be able to deliver on
our restoration agenda.
As you are well aware, there is very little we can do to bring about the much talked about restoration that we promise our people without the co-operation of you the workers.
The workers of this state, particular the civil servants are the
engine room of this government. You are the ones that hold the key to the successful implementation of the restoration agenda because you are the ones that are directly saddled with the responsibility of implementing the policies of government. And as your governor and also the No. 1 Worker of the state, I want to personally appeal to you
to continue to co-operate with us just as you have clearly done since our assumption into office, to continue to support our effort and policies, so that together we can collectively salvage our dear state.
As you are well aware, one of the problems my administration inherited on assumption of duty a little over two months ago, is the problem of over-bloated salary bill. The monthly salary bill of the State increased from N1.7billion in 2010 to N3.5billion in 2011 and to
N5.4billion in February 2012 when this administration began. With a salary bill of N5.4billion a month, Bayelsa State was second to only Lagos in wage bill across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
Our preliminary investigations indicate that the reported high wage bill is due not to commensurate high level of employees but to sharp practices perpetrated over the years by an apparent cartel of public
servants who continue to milk the state dry of needed development fund. The sharp practices include the addition of non-salary items in the monthly salary bill; inclusion of ghost workers; falsification of salary grade levels; inclusion of retired and dead workers in the payroll; public servants earning salaries in more than one government ministry, department, or agency; etc.
In order to address this chronic problem, my administration embarked on a number of measures notable among which are the following: Conduct of supervised payment of selected MDAs in the months of February and March, 2012. In one of such MDAs, we were able to reduce the monthly wage bill by about N170 million for February and N130
million in March, 2012.
• Beginning from April, 2012, government has directed that MDAs should be directly responsible for the preparation of their respective nominal roll and payment vouchers, as well as the payment of monthly salaries to their staff.
• A staff verification and audit committee has been set up to review and clean-up nominal rolls submitted by the respective MDAs in the State. At the end of the staff audit and verification exercise, the information obtained would be matched with the biometric data that had been captured earlier to come up with an updated employee data base.
• A similar committee has also been set up to undertake the same exercise in the 34 development areas (G34) with a view to sanitising the system at that level.
• In addition, I have established whistleblower hotlines where you can report suspicious matters and conduct of any person in government as well as general security matters in the state.
The numbers are 08160000072, 08160000074 and 08160000079
Also e-mail lines will be established very soon for submission of such complains. In our subsequent messages to you we will inform you of the details of the operations of this novel idea.
My dear workers of Bayelsa State, government is not unmindful of the temporary hardships that legitimate staff of the State Government had to bear in the last two months. Ironically, even when salary releases are signed in a timely manner, actual receipts of salary by workers in
the State appear to be delayed. In a number of instances, some workers get paid almost one or two months after their counterparts in some ministries, departments, or agencies of government. This situation which is unacceptable is due largely to bureaucratic hiccups in the public service, as well as banks and banking related problems. For example, I signed the release of April salaries for workers in the
State last week before travelling for the South-South Economic Summit at Asaba. I hope that the Commissioner of Finance has concluded arrangements to ensure that you get paid before the end of the week.
We appreciate your understanding and the sacrifices you have made thus far despite the obvious inconveniences associated with the staff verification exercise and supervised salary payment. We should appreciate that this sacrifice is necessary ,though temporary ,in order to ensure that those who milk our State dry and make development of infrastructure impossible do not succeed in their nefarious plans.
We are determined, as an administration, to go after them; and together, we shall win this war of chronic corruption in the State civil service. As we do this, we wish to assure legitimate and law abiding public servants of our unalloyed resolve to ensure that salaries are paid promptly; and that staff are properly disciplined and motivated for greater productivity.
To this end, we wish to assure workers in the public service of Bayelsa State that this administration shall ensure that all
legitimate demands relating to payment of arrears of personnel emoluments; provision of office and residential accommodation; payment of gratuities and pension; as well as training and staff development; to mention but few ,shall be pursued with renewed vigor.
Already, provisions have been made in the 2012 budget for the construction of three secretariat annexes to alleviate office accommodation while construction work on the Civil Service Training Institute will commence in the course of the year.
My dear workers of Bayelsa State, it is no longer news that we inherited an empty treasury. Whereas we inherited an asset base of about N7billion, our liabilities are over N200billion. However, it is no longer time to cry over spilled milk. We must brace up and face the enormous challenges before us as a people, head on. This is not the time for politicking and political posturing to the disadvantage of
the development of the state. This is the time to build our State and restore its past glory. All hands therefore must be on deck. With your support and those of all Bayelsans at home and abroad, we will get there.
Your partnership and sacrifice is most sought after at this crucial time, perhaps more than any other time in the history of our dear state. I want to assure you that your government will do anything and everything to ensure that your welfare is adequately taken care of. We will consult with your leaders in the labour union to see how best we can partner with them to address all issues pertaining to your welfare.
We thank you for your co-operation especially in our quest to deal with the issue of ghost workers in the system and also the huge wage bill that we have had to grapple with.
In conclusion, let me once again thank you all for your support and co-operation. Going forward, I am confident that the future is bright for the workforce in Bayelsa State. The steps we are about to take with your co-operation will unleash a new beginning for our dear state. We will stimulate the State economy and increase employment
opportunities for our people.
I thank you most sincerely for your kind attention and may God bless our land and the people of Bayelsa State.
My dear workers of Bayelsa State, on the 14th of February this year, I assumed office as THE N0. 1 WORKER of our dear State. The people of Bayelsa State voted massively to put us here to serve them and it is one mandate we do not take lightly.
Let me therefore once more through you as workers thank all the good people of our dear state for the support and solidarity shown to me, before, during and after my election and now as Governor.
Similarly, I want to thank you the hardworking, committed and very dedicated workers of this state for the wonderfull support and co-operation we have received from you since our assumption into office.
You will recall in my inaugural address, I promised a paradigm shift in the governance culture of our state. And you all have been witnesses to some of the actions we have taken thus far as a government to Re-organise the governance structure in the state as well as to strengthen the capacity of the public service to be able to deliver on
our restoration agenda.
As you are well aware, there is very little we can do to bring about the much talked about restoration that we promise our people without the co-operation of you the workers.
The workers of this state, particular the civil servants are the
engine room of this government. You are the ones that hold the key to the successful implementation of the restoration agenda because you are the ones that are directly saddled with the responsibility of implementing the policies of government. And as your governor and also the No. 1 Worker of the state, I want to personally appeal to you
to continue to co-operate with us just as you have clearly done since our assumption into office, to continue to support our effort and policies, so that together we can collectively salvage our dear state.
As you are well aware, one of the problems my administration inherited on assumption of duty a little over two months ago, is the problem of over-bloated salary bill. The monthly salary bill of the State increased from N1.7billion in 2010 to N3.5billion in 2011 and to
N5.4billion in February 2012 when this administration began. With a salary bill of N5.4billion a month, Bayelsa State was second to only Lagos in wage bill across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
Our preliminary investigations indicate that the reported high wage bill is due not to commensurate high level of employees but to sharp practices perpetrated over the years by an apparent cartel of public
servants who continue to milk the state dry of needed development fund. The sharp practices include the addition of non-salary items in the monthly salary bill; inclusion of ghost workers; falsification of salary grade levels; inclusion of retired and dead workers in the payroll; public servants earning salaries in more than one government ministry, department, or agency; etc.
In order to address this chronic problem, my administration embarked on a number of measures notable among which are the following: Conduct of supervised payment of selected MDAs in the months of February and March, 2012. In one of such MDAs, we were able to reduce the monthly wage bill by about N170 million for February and N130
million in March, 2012.
• Beginning from April, 2012, government has directed that MDAs should be directly responsible for the preparation of their respective nominal roll and payment vouchers, as well as the payment of monthly salaries to their staff.
• A staff verification and audit committee has been set up to review and clean-up nominal rolls submitted by the respective MDAs in the State. At the end of the staff audit and verification exercise, the information obtained would be matched with the biometric data that had been captured earlier to come up with an updated employee data base.
• A similar committee has also been set up to undertake the same exercise in the 34 development areas (G34) with a view to sanitising the system at that level.
• In addition, I have established whistleblower hotlines where you can report suspicious matters and conduct of any person in government as well as general security matters in the state.
The numbers are 08160000072, 08160000074 and 08160000079
Also e-mail lines will be established very soon for submission of such complains. In our subsequent messages to you we will inform you of the details of the operations of this novel idea.
My dear workers of Bayelsa State, government is not unmindful of the temporary hardships that legitimate staff of the State Government had to bear in the last two months. Ironically, even when salary releases are signed in a timely manner, actual receipts of salary by workers in
the State appear to be delayed. In a number of instances, some workers get paid almost one or two months after their counterparts in some ministries, departments, or agencies of government. This situation which is unacceptable is due largely to bureaucratic hiccups in the public service, as well as banks and banking related problems. For example, I signed the release of April salaries for workers in the
State last week before travelling for the South-South Economic Summit at Asaba. I hope that the Commissioner of Finance has concluded arrangements to ensure that you get paid before the end of the week.
We appreciate your understanding and the sacrifices you have made thus far despite the obvious inconveniences associated with the staff verification exercise and supervised salary payment. We should appreciate that this sacrifice is necessary ,though temporary ,in order to ensure that those who milk our State dry and make development of infrastructure impossible do not succeed in their nefarious plans.
We are determined, as an administration, to go after them; and together, we shall win this war of chronic corruption in the State civil service. As we do this, we wish to assure legitimate and law abiding public servants of our unalloyed resolve to ensure that salaries are paid promptly; and that staff are properly disciplined and motivated for greater productivity.
To this end, we wish to assure workers in the public service of Bayelsa State that this administration shall ensure that all
legitimate demands relating to payment of arrears of personnel emoluments; provision of office and residential accommodation; payment of gratuities and pension; as well as training and staff development; to mention but few ,shall be pursued with renewed vigor.
Already, provisions have been made in the 2012 budget for the construction of three secretariat annexes to alleviate office accommodation while construction work on the Civil Service Training Institute will commence in the course of the year.
My dear workers of Bayelsa State, it is no longer news that we inherited an empty treasury. Whereas we inherited an asset base of about N7billion, our liabilities are over N200billion. However, it is no longer time to cry over spilled milk. We must brace up and face the enormous challenges before us as a people, head on. This is not the time for politicking and political posturing to the disadvantage of
the development of the state. This is the time to build our State and restore its past glory. All hands therefore must be on deck. With your support and those of all Bayelsans at home and abroad, we will get there.
Your partnership and sacrifice is most sought after at this crucial time, perhaps more than any other time in the history of our dear state. I want to assure you that your government will do anything and everything to ensure that your welfare is adequately taken care of. We will consult with your leaders in the labour union to see how best we can partner with them to address all issues pertaining to your welfare.
We thank you for your co-operation especially in our quest to deal with the issue of ghost workers in the system and also the huge wage bill that we have had to grapple with.
In conclusion, let me once again thank you all for your support and co-operation. Going forward, I am confident that the future is bright for the workforce in Bayelsa State. The steps we are about to take with your co-operation will unleash a new beginning for our dear state. We will stimulate the State economy and increase employment
opportunities for our people.
I thank you most sincerely for your kind attention and may God bless our land and the people of Bayelsa State.
MY PRESENTATION OF THE REVISED 2012 APPROPRIATION BILL TO THE BAYELSA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON 23RD OF APRIL, 2012
April 24, 2012
The Speaker, Honourable Members of the Bayelsa state house of assembly.
It is my honour and privilege to step into this hallowed chambers for the very first time since my inauguration as Governor of Bayelsa State on the 14th of February, 2012.
Mr.Speaker, it will be recalled that the 2012 budget hitherto presented to this house by my immediate predecessor was withdrawn in order to properly align it to our restoration mandate and vision. The people of Bayelsa State voted massively for restoration of our lost glory, as well as restoration of planned and well thought-out infrastructural development. They voted for a decisive halt to education decay in the state. Our people voted for peace,happiness and prosperity in our land. The good people of Bayelsa State
voted for massive flow of potable water and 24 hour uninterrupted supply of electricity amongst other progressive developments in the state.
Mr. Speaker, in pursuance of the covenant of good governance I have with the good people of Bayelsa State, I
began the process of wide consultations and inquiries into the various aspect of our state life. I set up a number of committees to look into various aspects of our state life. I am happy to state that the reports of the various committees have greatly enriched our understanding of the magnitude of
our assignment as a government; and the ways and means of addressing them in the short, medium and long terms. I have also reorgainsed the governance structure in the state with the creation and reorganisation of ministries and
parastatals in the state. Mr. Speaker, we now have 26 ministries to ensure we have focussed and hands on administration in the affairs and issues of the state. The revised 2012 budget is therefore a product of these far reaching consultations and studies.
I am pleased to inform you, Mr. Speaker, that my administration is now properly equipped technically,
psychologically, spiritually and therefore has the political will to frontally attack all the developmental challenges of Bayelsa State.
Our vision is to make Bayelsa State the third most developed state in Nigeria within the next four years. We have just started this great journey today as we have carried out a comprehensive review of the initiatives in the 2012 budget.
Highlights of the reviewed 2012 budget proposal.
Key Assumptions and Targets.
Mr. Speaker, the revised 2012 budget is predicated on the following key assumptions which are consistent with the parameters of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) of the state for the 2012-2014 period.
Crude Oil Production: 2.27mbpd
Benchmark Oil Price: $72/barrel
Exchange Rate: N155/$1
State Production Indices: 19%
% Increase in IGR: 54.8%
Total Fiscal Deficit: 3% of BYGSP
Based on these assumptions and targets, the total projected revenue for 2012 fiscal year is N211.82bn comprising of N195.88bn from Statutory Allocation, N7.09bn from Value Added Tax, N5.65bn from Internal Generated Revenue and N3.21bn from Capital Receipt; representing a 7.45 % contraction from the withdrawn estimates. This is in line
with our strong resolve to be realistic, transparent and accountable to the good people of Bayelsa State.
On the expenditure side, Mr. Speaker, total expenditure for 2012 fiscal year is estimated at N211.82bn comprising of N90.25 bn or 42.6% for recurrent expenditure made up of N36.64bn or 17.2% for personnel cost N25.46bn or 12.0% for overhead costs and N28.14bn or 13.3% for consolidated revenue fund charges. Our capital expenditure for
2012 has been estimated at N121.56bn or 57.4% of total expenditure.
Mr. Speaker, it is pertinent to state that I am happy with the present ratio of Recurrent Expenditure to Capital
Expenditure (42.6:57.4%) and I dare say that we will improve on this in our subsequent budget proposals particularly when our current efforts at reducing
recurrent expenditures begin to yield the desired fruits.
Mr. Speaker, the revised 2012 budget for the State has been christened as the Budget of Restoration. It is specially crafted to kick start the process of restoring Bayelsa State to
the much desired path of glory, peace, security and sustainable development.
PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS OF THE REVISED
2012 BUDGET
Mr. Speaker, the key programmes and projects that will be funded by the revised 2012 budget include: Works and Transport: As I have said in various fora, we are going to hit the Atlantic Ocean from 3 flanks. Thus the construction of the three senatorial roads will receive priority attention this year. Additionally, the Yenagoa metropolis will be properly restructured with the construction of 3 ring roads.
These certainly will boost the aesthetic beauty of our capital city and enhance the efficient management of transport infrastructure in Yenagoa. Other projects in the Works and Transport sub - sector to be given priority attention include:
immediate construction of 3 additional secretariat annexes along the road safety road; dualisation of Isaac Boro Road, and the construction of Bayelsa Airport Project. A maritime academy as well as a drive established in the state to harness the huge potentials in this sub-sector. Furthermore all our liaison offices will be properly renovated to cope with the new realities as of the times. The sum of N38.3billion has therefore been allocated to the Works and
Infrastructure sub - sector.
Education:
Mr Speaker, the Education sub - sector in the state is another area that requires urgent and fundamental restructuring due to its critical contribution to our overall development. To this end, as you are quite aware, the State Government has since declared free and compulsory primary and secondary Education on the 14th Feb. 2012. Actions are in top gear to ensure flawless implementation of this scheme. Also massive infrastructural development in all our primary and secondary schools will commence soon. To compliment these efforts, the issue of training and retraining of teachers to increase their productivity will be
accorded top priority attention. To actualize this objective an institute for training of teachers has been approved for immediate take - off. Additionally,Government will make adequate provision for students financing this year. All
ongoing projects in the Education sub - sector will be completed this year. Accordingly, the sum of N21billion has
been proposed for the Education sub - sector.
Health:
Mr. Speaker, the Health sub-sector will equally receive priority attention this year. To this end, every local government headquarters must have a functional general
hospital starting from this year. Government intends to complete all the ongoing construct ion and renovation of health centers across the state the year. Also, the completion of the Chief Melford Okilo Memorial Hospital, Yenagoa to boost health care delivery in the state will be a major priority of government this year. The sum of N7.2billion is hereby proposed for the Health sub-sector.
Energy:
Mr. Speaker, the role of adequate power supply in making our state a viable investment destination for investors cannot be over emphasized. Though the challenges in this sub - sector are daunting, the present administration is determined to confront them frontally and squarely. To this end, all investments needed for
the installation of the 3 new Gas Turbines in the state will be made this year. The successful completion of this initiative will no doubt boost small and medium scale businesses in the state. Also, more rural communities will be linked to the national grid this year. Accordingly, the sum of N4.9billion is
earmarked for the Energy sub - sector.
Agriculture:
Mr. Speaker, as a major thrust of our employment generation activities, various agriculture programmes will be embarked upon by the state to provide employment
and ensure food security in the state. Government intend to ensure the smooth take off of our strategically established Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for commercial agriculture development in the state. These SPVs include: The Bayelsa Oil Palm Ltd, Nigerdelta Seafoods Ltd, Bayelsa Farms Ltd and Creek Foods Supplies Limited. To ensure their success, we have provided for value chain transformation programmes to give strength to the activities of the various companies. We shall partner with multilateral agencies to increase the funding base available for various agriculture initiatives to be embarked on to create job/wealth for the good people of Bayelsa State. We intend to make our greatest impact on the good people of Bayelsa State from the Agriculture sub - sector. The sum of N3.5billion has been proposed for the
Agriculture sub - sector.
Sports:
Mr. Speaker, you are quite aware of the important role of Sports in harnessing and mobilising the potentials of our teaming youths for positive development. To this end, a
sport academy will be established to drive this process. All the Sports in which the state has comparative advantage will be given greater impetus this year. Mr. Speaker, the construction of a befitting stadium for the state is
long overdue and that will start this year. Also, more training pitches will be constructed this year. Additionally, government is seriously concerned about the
dwindling fortunes of our 3 football outfits: Bayelsa Queen, Bayelsa United and Ocean Boys. Therefore government shall
put all the needed machinery in place to ensure their restoration to the path of glory once again. The sum of N4.9billion is allocated to the sport sub -
sector this year.
Local Government and Community Development:
For the 2012 fiscal year, government will kick start
the process of integrating the administrations at the 3rd tier of governance in the state into the Restoration Agenda of the present Administration. To this end, government intends to mobilise all available resources at the three tiers for positive development. In more specific terms, government intends to
collaborate with the Local Government Administration in the state to carry out massive community development projects particularly those that relate to Education and Health care delivery. This is intended to give our good people in
the rural areas a breath of fresh air. All ongoing projects in the Local Government and Community Development sub - sector will be completed this year. Accordingly, the sum of N5.1billion is allocated to this all important sub-sector.
Water Resources:
Mr. Speaker, the Restoration Agenda of the present Administration as it relates to the water sub - sector is such that for the remaining days and months of this year, water must flow in all nooks and crannies in the Yenagoa metropolis. Therefore all water upgrading projects at Igbogene, Okaka, Etegwe, Swali, Ovom
and Kpansia shall be completed this year and the water stations made to perform optimally. Accordingly, the sum of N2.1billion is allocated to develop our water resources sub - sector.
Information and National Orientation:
In order to further advance the course of our Restoration Agenda, Government intends to adequately fund the Information dissemination machineries in the state (State Radio, State Television, State News Paper Corporation and
State Ministry of Information) This is to ensure that our people are properly informed of the various activities of
government. The sum of N2.6billion is hereby earmarked for this sub - sector.
Youth & Women Development:
The issue of equipping the vast majority of our youths with relevant skills will be accorded high priority this year. We just have to build the capacities of the youths with various
training programmes so that we can steer them away from militancy and other antisocial tendencies. On the issue of women empowerment government intends to
take pragmatic steps to restore the dignity of our women in the state. The sum of N1.6billion is allocated to these sub - sectors.
Judiciary:
Mr. Speaker, please permit me to use this medium to express my profound happiness to the Judiciary for the extremely cordial relationship that is existing between our both Arms of Government. All the projects listed for execution this year for the state Judiciary will be implemented to the letter. Accordingly, the sum of N2.2billion is allocated to the State Judiciary for the
2012 fiscal year.
Industry and Investment:
Government is undertaking Entrepreneurial Skills Training
Programmes to give business management skills for growth and business sustenance to our people.
Mr. Speaker we will be undertaking studies on Small & Medium Scale business development to give information on the businesses that can be set up by our people. We will also be collaborating with the Bank of Industry to provide
funding for the creation of the these businesses. Attraction of foreign and local investments into the state is also a major thrust of this government as we will put in place a conducive environment in which investments and
businesses will thrive in the state. Accordingly, the sum of N480million has been set aside for this purpose.
Culture:
Mr. Speaker, my administration intends to develop and promote the Ijaw Culture and for this reason a ministry for the development and promotion of the Ijaw
Culture (Ministry of Culture & Ijaw National Affairs) was created. We shall set up an Institute of Ijaw Language, procure musical instruments, establish a digital recording studio and a Film editing studio all for the purposes of developing and promoting the Ijaw Culture. We
will also design and construct an arts gallery to enhance this objective. Mr. Speaker, the sum of N283.3million has been set aside for this purpose.
STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES AND AGENDA GOING FORWARD:
Mr Speaker, in addition to these projects, this Administration shall implement the following strategic initiatives in 2012 to stimulate the State economy and increase employment opportunities. In this regard, this Administration;
· Mr. Speaker, you may also recall has submitted two bills to this hallowed chambers to stem the
tide of cultism and violence. This is to ensure that we curtail the nefarious activities of some no good few among us and ensure that we have a state, where we can all live in peace and harmony.
· Mr. Speaker, we are also investing heavily in security enhancements in the form of technology and intelligence gathering to ensure that our state is adequately secured and policed.
· Mr. Speaker, we shall be forwarding in due course to this hallowed chamber a bill on Privatisation and Commercialisation to provide the legal backing for our
engagement with the organised private sector in fostering growth of our economy.
· Mr. Speaker, we shall partner with the Federal Government and the organised private sector to begin the development of our own deep seaport that will employ a large number of our teeming youths and create a gateway through our state for the free flow of goods into the country.
· Mr Speaker, this administration shall take very seriously the education of the girl child that is why i have appointed a Senior Special Assistant, who shall actively pursue all our programmes in this regard.
Mr Speaker, Distinguished and Honourable members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, It is with utmost regard that I lay before you the revised 2012 Budget Estimates
of the government of Bayelsa State for your consideration. It is my humble prayer that this distinguished House will give
this bill an expeditious consideration for budget implementation to commence soonest.
I thank you most sincerely for your kind attention and may God bless our land and the people of Bayelsa State.
“WE WILL NOT REST UNTIL WE DELIVER THE DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY TO OUR PEOPLE” ---- GOV. DICKSON
April 20, 2012
Newly sworn-in commissioners in Bayelsa State have been charged to be prepared to work hard to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
Governor Seriake Dickson gave the charge while speaking at the inaugural meeting of the State Executive Council held in Government House.
Hon. Dickson, who identified sacrifice, dedication to duty and resourcefulness as the key factors to achieving the goals of the restoration agenda, said all hands must be on deck to deliver on their campaign promises.
While welcoming the new commissioners on board, Governor Dickson said as members of the restoration team, they will not rest until they actualize the goals the present administration has set out for itself.
The Governor reminded the commissioners that expectations are high in view of the support and goodwill the administration enjoys and called on them to apply themselves to duty, adding that no ministry should be considered more, or less important to the other.
He noted that their swearing-in and the inaugural meeting mark the beginning of the restoration of the state, pointing out that there was so much to be done.
Responding, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Edmund Allison-Oguru assured the Governor of their readiness to work towards the realisation of government’s
policies and programmes.
Prof. Allison-Oguru said they were aware of the enormous responsibilities that lie ahead of them and assured that they would not betray the confidence reposed in them.
Government House Press.
BAYELSA PLANS SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN FOOD PRODUCTION
April 3, 2012
Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated a 16-man Agricultural Development Blue Print Committee with a charge to formulate policies that will guide government to invest in the agricultural sub-sector.
While inaugurating the committee in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson said the state has a lot of agricultural potentials that could be harnessed to make the state self-sufficient in food production.
Hon. Dickson said his administration will invest in areas in which the state has comparative advantage such as fisheries, oil palm cultivation and rice production with a view to exporting to other countries.
Pointing out the volatility associated with oil price, Governor Dickson noted that efforts are underway to diversify the local economy and reduce dependence on oil.
According to the Governor, the committee is expected to identify the agricultural and agro-business potentials of the state; highlight previous efforts at agricultural development as well as identify factors militating against sustainable agricultural growth, investment and development in the state.
The committee is also mandated to identify the major agricultural produce in which the state has comparative advantage; recommend realistic and time-bound policies and programmes aimed at harnessing the agricultural and agro-business potentials and also identify ways by which the state can partner with other stakeholders and agebcies outside the state.
In addition, the committee is to make recommendations which could make the agricultural sub-sector of the state a major source of employment, skills acquisition and income generation poverty alleviation.
In his response, chairman of the committee, Mr. Izonebi Obubo said the state has the right agro-ecology, pointing out that what was left was the appropriate investment in the sector and the political will to execute the recommendations of the committee.
He assured the Governor that with the calibre of the members at his disposal, the committee will not only produce a robust and critical blue print but will also deliver on its assignment on record time.
The committee, which is expected to turn in an interim report by the end of the first week, has Mr. Tomo Ozu as the secretary. The committee also has as its membership, university dons, development experts, a former Agriculture Commissioner in the state and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson,
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor
On Media & Public Affairs
Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated a 16-man Agricultural Development Blue Print Committee with a charge to formulate policies that will guide government to invest in the agricultural sub-sector.
While inaugurating the committee in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson said the state has a lot of agricultural potentials that could be harnessed to make the state self-sufficient in food production.
Hon. Dickson said his administration will invest in areas in which the state has comparative advantage such as fisheries, oil palm cultivation and rice production with a view to exporting to other countries.
Pointing out the volatility associated with oil price, Governor Dickson noted that efforts are underway to diversify the local economy and reduce dependence on oil.
According to the Governor, the committee is expected to identify the agricultural and agro-business potentials of the state; highlight previous efforts at agricultural development as well as identify factors militating against sustainable agricultural growth, investment and development in the state.
The committee is also mandated to identify the major agricultural produce in which the state has comparative advantage; recommend realistic and time-bound policies and programmes aimed at harnessing the agricultural and agro-business potentials and also identify ways by which the state can partner with other stakeholders and agebcies outside the state.
In addition, the committee is to make recommendations which could make the agricultural sub-sector of the state a major source of employment, skills acquisition and income generation poverty alleviation.
In his response, chairman of the committee, Mr. Izonebi Obubo said the state has the right agro-ecology, pointing out that what was left was the appropriate investment in the sector and the political will to execute the recommendations of the committee.
He assured the Governor that with the calibre of the members at his disposal, the committee will not only produce a robust and critical blue print but will also deliver on its assignment on record time.
The committee, which is expected to turn in an interim report by the end of the first week, has Mr. Tomo Ozu as the secretary. The committee also has as its membership, university dons, development experts, a former Agriculture Commissioner in the state and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson,
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor
On Media & Public Affairs
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