- Diri vows not to tamper with LG funds
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Fourteen commissioners’ nominees cleared by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly have taken the oath as cabinet members as prescribed by law.
Also, the newly-elected chairmen of the eight local government councils and their vice chairmen were inaugurated by Governor Douye Diri.
Six of the Commissioners who served in the first term of Diri and re-appointed retained their portfolios.
These are Biriyai Dambo SAN (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice), Moses Teibowei (Works and Infrastructure), Maxwell Ebibai (Finance), Dr. Gentle Emelah (Education), Daniel Igali (Sports Development) and Preye Brodricks (Special Duties, Bayelsa East).
Two of them who returned but were redeployed to another Ministry are Dr Ebieri Jones, who was assigned to Trade and Industry from Mineral Resources while Flint George, who served as Special Duties, Bayelsa Central, was assigned to Budget and Economic Planning.
The newly appointed commissioners are Mrs Ebiwou Koku-Obiyai (Labour and Productivity), Michael Magbisa (Special Duties, Bayelsa West), Elizabeth Bidei (Women Affairs), Peter Afagha (Mineral Resources), and Komuku Kharim (Power).
Speaking at the event, Diri who noted that the ceremony marked a pivotal moment in the state’s journey as he commences his second term, stated in the first term, his administration laid the groundwork for a prosperous Bayelsa across various sectors.
“As we embark on this journey, let us remember that our success will be judged not by individual accomplishments but by the collective impact we make.
“Your selection and election among a pool of highly qualified persons inspire confidence in your ability to serve with utmost commitment and distinction, fulfilling the aspirations of all Bayelsans” he said.
While charging them to initiate legacy projects and programmes in their various ministries as their role carried significant responsibilities to accelerate development of the state, he urged them to exercise prudent financial management to ensure efficient resource utilisation and foster collaboration among their peers for effective synergy, as their functions complement each other.
Diri added that his administration would define measurable indicators to evaluate the periodic performance of each ministry and track progress towards set objectives.
Also speaking to the newly sworn-in local government chairmen and vice chairmen, Diri who stressed that the Prosperity Government was poised to strengthen the third-tier of government to foster development in communities vowed not to tamper with local government funds.
“We will not tamper with local government funds. Rather we will assist you with your development. And l reiterate that local government chairmen should desist from obtaining loans with interest.”
The new council chairmen are Lucky Febo (Brass), Isaac Oniye (Ekeremor),
Tariye Isaac (Kolokuma/Opokuma ), David Alagoa (Nembe), Golden Jeremiah (Ogbia), Mrs. Alice Tangi (Sagbama), Target Segibo (Southern Ijaw) and Boludisiye Ndiwari (Yenagoa).
The state’s helmsman also encouraged the chairmen to maintain the reforms initiated during the administration’s first term and reaffirmed the importance of operating from their council headquarters as well as prioritising the prompt payment of salaries.
He equally enjoined them to leverage on their recent four-day orientation programme to enhance governance and improve service delivery in their various local government areas.