‘Bayelsa Will Not Dissolve Cabinet’

Contrary to rumours that the Bayelsa State Acting Governor, Chief Nester Binabo will dissolve the cabinet of erstwhile Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Strategy Orientation, Chief Nathan Egba-Ologo, says this is not likely.

This was contained in a press statement issued by Chief Egba-Ologo on Wednesday after the acting Governor presided over his maiden executive meeting.

The statement is sequel to wide expectations that members of the Executive Council appointed by Chief Sylva would be dissolved, including some of his personal aides.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Gideon Ekeuwie, Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Dofie Ola, Chief of Staff (C-of-S), Samuel Ungbuku; and Special Adviser on Security Matters, Chief Richard Kpodo have all been replaced.

According to Chief Egba-Ologo, the Acting Governor, on Wednesday, assured members of the State Executive Council that he has no plans of dissolving them in the maiden meeting.

He stated that the present leadership, under the acting Governor, intended to work with members of the Executive Council and urged them to concentrate on their duties, adding that one of his primary responsibilities would be to unite the people of the state.

Chief Egba-Ologo, however, noted that the acting Governor could terminate the appointment of any government official if he has cause to do so, but that it will not be   a blanket dissolution of the cabinet.

The commissioner disclosed that among other things discussed during the meeting, was the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan  to flag off the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign in the state.

The issue of the gas explosion at Chevron Nigeria Oil Company’s Funiwa Oil Platform in Koluama 2 community, which has been raging for about two weeks now, also formed part of deliberations of the State Executive Council’s  meeting.

He noted that the Executive Council meeting resolved on the need to publicise the incident to inform the world of the enormity of the disaster, which  he said, will live with the people for many years to come.

Chief Egba-Ologo said, up until now there had not been any clear effort on the part of Chevron Oil Company as to how it will contain the disaster, manage the situation and remediate the environment.