The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development. BayelsaState, Hon. (Chief) Godknows Powell, an administrative icon per excellence, while interacting with Journalists at Agudama Epie, a suburban community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, has commended the governor ofBayelsaState, Chief. (Dr.) Timipre Sylva, on his appointment as a Commissioner of Local Government and Community Development which he described as the good will of God,
He said it would propel him to fast track his records of administration, especially during his time as Yenagoa Local Government Chairman and also Special Adviser to Governor Sylva.
The Commissioner enumerated several administrative reforms in moving the ministry to the next level, especially on rural transformation such as building of culverts, concrete walk ways, building staff quarters, the G 32 secretariat, youth empowerment.
The Commissioner further stressed that the reformation would be aggressively pursued in meeting the plight of Bayelsans, which, with Governor Timipre Sylva development agenda, the two sectors in his Ministry, the Local Government and the Rural Sector, would have clear cut road map of development.
He also hinted that the information management system would be overhauled, quarterly newspaper published, statutory allocation of the various Local Government Councils and moreso, the needed basic information would be made known to the general public in ensuring transparency and accountability in government.
Hon. Powell also stated that, he would create synergy between the original eight Local Government Areas and the G 32 Rural Development Centres in bridging the democratic dividends.
The issues of eight Local Government Council inBayelsaState, the Commissioner berated the low number of Local Government Councils in Bayelsa state. He asserted that a bill would soon be sent to the National Assembly for the creation of more councils.
Powell in his opinion stated that in virtue of the crucial importance ofBayelsaState to the national economy which has great oil, gas and other crucial resources, Bayelsa should have at least 25 Local Government Councils.
He therefore appealed to Bayelsians to work as a team in realizing the set goal.
For false report of Local Government Primary School Teachers’ salaries by Councils, Hon. Powell stressed affirmatively that the Ministry pays their counterpart funding through UBE of 30% monthly as at when due. Powell equally noted that his administration is bottom-top approach.
Also, Powell narrated that Governor Sylva pays contractors as at when due, as he is poised for rural transformation, and that he is a peoples’ friendly governor who never interfere with local government administration, while other State Governors often tamper Local Government funds and administration.
The Commissioner also noted several developmental projects of Governor Timipre Sylva have endeared him for re-election.
He said the Governor has constructed several road networks, hospitals, modern schools, electricity, at least six concrete walk ways in every Local Governments.
He appealed to Bayelsians to vote for Governor Sylva to enable him complete people’s oriented project in the state. ####
Jeremiah Jeremiah,yenagoa
