Governor of Bayelsa
State, Hon.Seriake Dickson over the weekend inaugurated a 54 member Economic Management Committee, with his Chief Economic Adviser, Duate Iyabi as chairman and Patience Abah as Secretary.
In his remarks, Governor Dickson described the Economic Team as key to the survival of the State in the face of dwindlng resources from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, stressing that, they have a responsibility to formulate practical policies that will improve the economy of the State on short and long term bases.
He urged them to critically examine and explore the economic potentials of the state in the various sub-sectors, with a view to moving the state to greater prosperity, through the creation of jobs as well as boosting its Internally Generated Revenue profile.
The Bayelsa State Governor, who expressed confidence in the ability of the economic team to deliver on its mandate, assurred them of his unflinching support, while also calling for the cooperation and understanding of the people of the State.
Hon. Dickson, who inaugurated the committee at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banguet Hall, Yenagoa, also announced creation of nine subcommittees from some ministries to be headed by their commissioners.
The ministries are Agriculture and Natural Resources, with the commissioner, Hon. Doode Week as the leader, with six other members, Power is led by Chief Partner Edward Jim Ogbolo with four members, Trade, Industry and Investment is headed by Hon. Kemela Okara, with eight other members.
Others include; the Ministry of Finance led by Maxwell Ebibai with three members; Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor as the leader with six members; Education has Deacon Markson Fefegha as leader, with nine other members.
The economic team also has the commissioner of health as leader of the health subcommittee with four members; Sports Commissioner, Buruboyefe Perekiye heads the Sports subcommittee, with a single member, while the Tourism team is made up of four members to be led by its commissioner, which is yet to be appointed.
In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the economic team, Mr. Duate Iyabi commended the initiative of Governor Dickson, while pledging the commitment and resolve of the team to justify the confidence reposed in it, adding that, they would carry out the task of turning the economic fortunes of the state around, through well thought out policies and programmes.
In a related development, Governor Dickson has expressed confidence in the ability and quality of the leadership, team spirit and the good policies of the government to boost the economic fortunes of the state in the nearest future.
Governor Dickson, who stated this during a parley with political appointees, called on them to show more loyalty and understanding, especially under the prevailing economic situation, pointing out that, the state was passing through difficult times.
He urged them to carry the message to the people at the grassroot level for every Bayelsan to appreciate and understand the state of affairs.
“ My message to all political appointees is the time calls for loyalty, understanding, commitment and patience. With the policies government is putting in place, despite the brief difficulties, the economic fortunes of the state will turn around.
“There are three very important things that are going for us as a government based on what we are doing: with confidence and trust in God, the quality of leadership and team spirit and the good decisions and policies we have taken, the economy of the state will turn around.
“I admonish all appointees to carry the message and policies of government to the people to ensure their understanding of the issues.”