A Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC Nasarawa State and Chairman of the Maikaya Development Foundation Alh Musa Muhammed Maikaya have urged Muslim faithful to pray for a positive turn-around of the Nasarawa State’s fortunes as they join their counterparts across the globe to observe this year’s Ramadan fasting.

Maikaya, in a goodwill message in Nasarawa State to mark the beginning of the holy month noted that since fasting symbolizes internal cleansing and spiritual renewal, Nasarawa State can benefit tremendously from the prayers of the faithful during the period.

He said: “It is my prayer that Allah accepts the earnest prayers and sacrifices of the Muslim Ummah during this Holy Month. May we emerge better, both at the individual and national levels, after this spiritual exercise.

“Let’s us seek an end to COVID19 in our country. As community leaders and members of the Islamic faith, we have a responsibility to enlighten the masses on the danger of not observing health regulations in our communities in particular and the country in general.

“We cannot afford to gloss over the present COVID19 and harsh economic realities in our country. Therefore, let us pray earnestly for Allah’s intervention on COVID19,” he stated.

Maikaya also called on all leaders both at the State and Local Government levels to put in place measures and programmes that would directly benefit the people and gainfully engage the State’s growing youth population.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has converted an 80-bed mother and child referral hospital built by Chevron Nigeria Limited and its partners to a temporary isolation centre in the fight against COVID-19.

Senator Diri stated this on Thursday at the official handing over of the facility sited within the premises of the Bayelsa State Medical University to the state government in Yenagoa.

The governor said the conversion is aimed at tackling a more dreadful disease threatening the lives of everyone and not an attempt to deny the people of the state of other health services.

He further stated that with the initial provision of the isolation wards at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital at Okolobiri to combat the virus and the new addition, the state was ready to tackle the pandemic in the event of any index case.

He urged citizens resident in Bayelsa to strictly comply with all safety standards issued by the World Health Organisation as well as government directives geared toward preventing the spread of the virus into the state.

To this end, the governor directed the Bayelsa Vigilante and the Bayelsa Volunteers to join the security operatives at the boundary points with Delta and Rivers states in order to reinforce the government’s lockdown directives.

His words: “Yesterday (Wednesday) in our Governors Forum meeting, we agreed to enforce and reinforce the lockdown of movement between states. Therefore, interstate movement is restricted in and out of the state.

“Nobody comes into and nobody goes out of Bayelsa for the next two weeks. I therefore direct security agencies to enforce this directive just as I again appeal to our citizens to obey and respect the directive.”

Diri expressed optimism that with the cooperation of everyone, the virus had no place in Bayelsa coupled with the round-the-clock effort of the State Taskforce on COVID-19.

The governor on behalf of people of the state expressed satisfaction with the quality of equipment in the facility donated by Chevron and its partners, noting that it was a worthy example of good corporate social responsibility.

Speaking earlier, the project contractor and Managing Director of McMatty Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mathew Sele-Epri, said in line with the WHO objective in reducing mother and child mortality, Chevron decided to build the health facility across the country.

Mr. Sele-Epri said facilities in the centre include an ultra sound room, fully equipped delivery room, three wards and a theatre.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has joined the global community to mark the Girls in ICT Day. The day is marked annually on the fourth Thursday in April and this year’s celebration falls on the 23rd April, 2020.

In a press release signed by the NITDA Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations Corporate Headquarters, Mrs Hadiza Umar, MNIPR, M.APRA, MCIPR, she said that the Agency is, therefore, highlighting the need to promote technology career opportunities for girls and women in ICT, the world’s fastest growing sector.

The Statement read, “During this year’s celebration, NITDA is drawing attention to the critical need for more girls and women to participate actively in the ICT sector of our economy. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) had estimated skills shortfall of over two million jobs in the ICT sector within the next few years. This opens a huge opportunity for girls and young women who have the ability to learn Coding, Apps Development, Computer Science and other ICT related courses.

“This will not only make them ready for a successful career in the ICT sector, but ICT skills are rapidly becoming a strong advantage for students in just about any other field they might choose to pursue.

“With technology playing vital role in all manner of careers, from Arts to Social Sciences, and from Law to History, to Graphic Design, learning ICT skills at a young age will set girls up for economic independence. Furthermore, the ICT sector needs more girls and women and celebrating a day like this reminds us that ICT helps to improve the lives of people everywhere.

“It contributes significantly towards better healthcare, better environmental management, better communication, and better educational systems that transform the way children and adults learn.

“NITDA, in its proactive manner and in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy as well as in furtherance of bridging the gender imbalance in ICT in Nigeria, has embarked on series of Capacity Building programmes for women and girls across the country. Girls with ICT skills can expect to earn good wages and enjoy huge career opportunities.

“Empowering girls to choose a career in ICT is not just good for girls and their families but can also be a major accelerator of socio-economic development of our country, especially at this crucial period of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

“It is a public knowledge that jobs of the future will be driven by technology and innovation. We must, therefore, be proactive in preparing a significant number of our population as represented by girls and women for these opportunities in order to be productive and to enable them contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country.

“The world is about to witness unprecedented changes in ways and manners we do things. Therefore, no segment of our population should be left behind in the new world order. The Girls in ICT Day provides an opportunity to reinforce our resolve and review our strategy to include sensitization and awareness creation among different stakeholders in this regard.

“The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is a Federal Government Agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. NITDA was established in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy as well as coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country. Specifically, Section 6(a & c) of the Act mandates NITDA to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria; develop guidelines for electronic governance and monitor the use of electronic data interchange and other forms of electronic communication transactions as an alternative to paper-based methods in government, commerce, education, the private and public sectors, labour, and other fields, where the use of electronic communication may improve the exchange of data and information, the statement concluded.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has said that posterity will remain his administration judge in evaluating his performance as his administration thrive to keep its promises.

This was made known on Tuesday, 21st April,2020 during the presentation of the 2020 Appropriation bill to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly

“We are fully committed to ensuring that the fruits of this Miracle Government impact on all sectors of our economy, Diri said.

Excerpt is the full text of budget presentation:

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR DOUYE DIRI, GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2020 APPROPRIATION BILL TO THE BAYELSA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON THE 21ST DAY OF APRIL 2020

The Right Honourable Speaker,
Honourable Members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly,

I am privileged and honoured to address this august House of Assembly and the State at large on this auspicious occasion of presentation of my maiden Appropriation Bill christened, “Consolidation for Prosperity 2020”.

You are all familiar with the dramatic or, more accurately, miraculous turn of events that culminated in my taking the oath of office as governor of Bayelsa State on 14 February, 2020. My everlasting praise and thanks goes to God who made this possible.

The Corona Virus pandemic is set to leave the world, including Nigeria, with lower GDP per capita by the end of the year. Whatever its medical trajectory, the fear and anxiety it has generated is unusual. I know people are anxious about their health as well as the health of their loved ones, their jobs, their earnings, their finances and their businesses. As someone who can testify of the God of the miraculous. I want to say to all Bayelsans, “Fear Not”. We need to stay positive and believe that the COVID 19 outbreak will run its course as other pandemics have come and gone.

We have put palliatives in place including mobilising available public resources, in partnership with corporate bodies and well meaning individuals, to help the poor and vulnerable.

Expectedly, people want to know what is happening and what government is doing to fix it. This budget defines the structure for the economic activities that would be undertaken, in the relevant fiscal year, and affords an over-arching direction for government to provide solutions to challenges that confront us as a people. There is, thus, a clear need to consistently inform our people on activities being undertaken by the executive on their behalf. That is why this Budget Presentation exercise to parliament is so critical, and can also be accessed on our website.

POLICY THRUST OF OUR GOVERNMENT

Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, I stated while forwarding the 2020 to 2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) documents to this House, that the overarching philosophy of my administration for the next four years is “CONSOLIDATION FOR PROSPERITY”. To actualize this lofty aspiration, Government shall embark on special programmes and projects targeted at creating wealth. We shall:

1. Encourage and mobilise our people to participate in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME) and Agriculture. The state is naturally endowed with agricultural and aquatic resources which we shall harness and develop to provide food security at the basic level for our people.

2. Create opportunities that will attract the private sector towards industrialisation.

This Government shall also vigorously pursue activities that will strengthen:
a. Infrastructural Development
b. Housing and Urban Renewal
c. Environmental Protection
d. Women and Youth Development
e. Public Sector and Financial Management Reforms
f. Ethical Re-orientation and Cultural Revival
g. Human Capital Development

To actualise this goals we shall improve on the Security Architecture of the State to promote peace.

CURRENT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the ravaging effect of COVID 19 and its disastrous impact on economies, both locally and internationally, has to be managed with prudence. Please let us all recall that based on the Federal Government’s benchmark for crude oil fixed at $55/barrel, with the effects of COVID 19 leading to a slump in the demand, the price of crude oil has plummeted to a net average amount of about $22 – $25/barrel. The above situation will definitely affect our expectations from Statutory Allocations from FAAC as revenue, adversely.

These difficult times require financial discipline on our part as a Government and a need for us to refocus by identifying alternative sources of income. The rightsizing of the number of Ministries from 32 to 21, amongst other reasons, was done to reduce the cost of running government.

We are taking proactive measures in the 2020 Appropriation bill to cushion the effect of the economic downturn in Bayelsa State. Our Government is engaging vigorously with the Federal Government , Central Bank of Nigeria and Multilateral Agencies like the World Bank to enable us drive this budget successfully.

As part of our efforts to reduce cost of governance and to enhance transparency in government, the Human Resources, Financial Reporting, Budgeting and Procurement components of the State Integrated Management Information System (SIFMIS) will be fully implemented this year.

In line with my vision of improving the welfare of our State Civil Servants, we will continue with the implementation of the Federal Government approved Minimum Wage. As you are aware, we have also commenced the payment of gratuity arrears. Government will continuously dialogue in matters that may concern the welfare of the workforce.

REVIEW OF 2019 BUDGET

Mr. Speaker, it is worthy of note that I assumed office when the 2019 Fiscal Year had already ended. In the preparation of this bill, we had to leverage on the achievements of the past government towards consolidating on them for the prosperity of our people.

The overall performance of the 2019 budget stood at 59.06%. Total Revenue was N188.121 Billion representing 62.74% of target revenue of N299.835 Billion. Capital Expenditure stood at N44.932 Billion representing 23.9% performance, while that of Recurrent Expenditure of N132.152 Billion came in at 76.1%.

2020 BUDGET SUMMARY

Mr. Speaker, may I commence the highlights of the 2020 Budget tagged “Budget of Consolidation for Prosperity”.

This Appropriation Bill was prepared using the 2020-2022 MTEF as its basic platform. However, current realities have been taken into consideration to derive the figures proposed.

The 2020 Budget is expected to be funded from the following projected revenue sources:
a. Statutory Allocation …………………………………. N 131.704bn
b. Value Added Tax (VAT)………………….………….. N 10.624bn
c. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)……………..…. N 16.000bn
d. Capital Receipts……..…………………………………. N 44.177bn
e. Loans………………………..…………………………. N 39.682bn

Our Expenditure Profile for 2020 consists of:
a. Personnel Cost…………………………….…………… N51.646bn
b. Overhead Cost………………………………………… N 52.327bn
c. Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges (CRFC)………. N91.478bn
d. Capital Expenditure…………………………………… N46.736bn

The 2020 proposed Budget is N242.283 Billion, to be funded by a projected Total Revenue of N202.505 Billion, and a deficit amounting to N39.778 Billion. This budget is lower than the 2019 Budget by 19.4%.

KEY AREAS OF EMPHASIS

Permit me now to delve into Key sectors of the 2020 Budget.

PERSONNEL: Mr. Speaker, Bayelsa was among the first States in Nigeria, to implement payment of the Current Minimum Wage. This is in line with our vision to have a motivated workforce and with a view towards improving their general wellbeing.

As a State, we must improve on our data integrity so as to maintain the confidence of international partners. Civil Servants will, therefore, be paid through the SIFMIS, Oracle Application. This decision will, also, reduce fraud and ensure timely payment of salaries

Personnel cost for the 2020 Budget comes to N51.646 Billion amounting to 21.32% of the total budget. This percentage is 4.4% higher than the 2019 Budget which had a Personnel cost of N50.628 Billion amounting to 16.9% of its total Budget.

Whereas, sustaining the Wage bill might be challenging, working as a team, with financial prudence and reasonable judgement, we shall overcome .

AGRICULTURE: Mr. Speaker, we intend to focus on the Agricultural sector as a major means of wealth creation. Therefore, various agricultural projects shall be embarked upon with the aim of providing employment and achieving food security in the State. We are poised to quit being a net consumer of food items to becoming a producer and supplier State. Value Chain Transformation Programmes will be supported to achieve food security in the State. We will partner with private sector investors, research institutes, communities etc. in our pursuit of viable agric projects that would provide food for our people and also enhance the development of Agro-allied industries.

¢ We are already partnering with CBN and other agencies to increase the funding of various agricultural projects.

¢ We will put to optimal use the Aquaculture projects in Igbogene/Yenigue, Igeibiri, Angalabiri etc. In addition, this government shall create more outlets to harness our existing natural aquaculture endowments.

¢ Our state-of-the-art Starch Processing Plant at Ebedebiri, and our comparative advantage in cassava production, will be fully enhanced.

¢ We shall engage in cassava, rice, plantain, sugarcane farming etc.

The sum of N8 Billion is, therefore, proposed for this sector.

POWER AND WATER: We understand that our goal of an industrialized State cannot be achieved without the availability of basic infrastructure. We will therefore revive and upgrade our erstwhile electricity generating turbines. While we work towards achieving this long term goal, we would partner with private electricity generating companies to ensure the availability of electricity. Our existing State Water Board and distribution networks would be revived so that residents of Yenagoa, and its environs, can have access to potable water.

Accordingly, the sum of N800 Million is proposed for this sector.

WORKS & TRANSPORT: We will embark on aggressive construction of roads in the State. We are witnesses to the frequent traffic jams at the Tombia roundabout. However before we tackle this problem by constructing a Service Flyover at the Tombia Roundabout, alternate roads will be constructed to ameliorate the daily traffic related pains of our brothers and sisters.

KEY PROJECTS:
1. Work will continue on the on-going 3 Senatorial Roads projects.
2. We will embark on the completion of the AIT/Elebele/Igbogene
Road.

3. Our holistic road construction plan will ensure an improvement in the Yenagoa road network.

4. We shall construct rural roads in order to ease the burden of
transportation faced by our rural dwellers.

The sum of N8.6 Billion is allocated for this sector.

HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT: ‘Housing for all’ is a focal policy trust of governments and International Agencies all over the world. Since government alone cannot guarantee the provision of houses for all its citizens, we will partner with housing and mortgage institutions to build and develop affordable houses for Bayelsans. Government will however ensure the completion of the existing housing estates.

It is worthy of note that the Onopa Bridge is over 90% completed. This government will, also, speed up the development of the New Yenagoa City.

Key projects in this sector include:
¢ Okaka Housing Estate.
¢ Civil Servants Housing Estate, Agbura
¢ Judges Housing Estate Opolo,
The sum of N640 Million is, consequently, allocated for this sector.

TRADE, INDUSTRY AND INVESTMENT: Our State is a virgin and profitable destination for investors. Our Government will therefore:

¢ Create a secure and conducive environment for existing and potential investors.
¢ Provide the enabling infrastructure that will attract investors.
¢ Train our youth to acquire vocational and entrepreneurial skill that
would make them productive and independent.
¢ Create Business Advisory Desk and Centre to provide support and
guidance to prospective young investors in areas of book keeping, trend and opportunities in the economy, etc.
¢ Complete the construction of the Okaka Market and Shopping Mall.
.
We shall focus on expanding our business and trade frontiers by seizing reasonable opportunities to continue the development of the Agge Seaport, Industrial Park among others.

The sum of N430.938 Million is allocated to this sector.

EDUCATION: Mr. Speaker, There has been a remarkable improvement in the Education Sector by the previous administration. Our Government will, therefore, consolidate on existing infrastructure and programmes to push Education to greater heights. Training and manpower development of staff in this sector will be prioritized.

The Education Development Trust Fund and other organs in the Educational sector shall be strengthened for optimum performance.

Accordingly, the sum of N2.1 Billion is allocated to this sector.
HEALTH: The health sector all over the world, has been pushed to its brink due to the COVID 19 pandemic. While we don’t pray for a spread of this pandemic to our State, this is a timely warning. It highlights the need to improve our existing Health infrastructure in the event of off-scale emergencies.

We shall sustain the steps already taken to ensure that our state remain COVID 19 free.

Accordingly, the sum of N1.75 Billion is allocated to this sector.

SPORTS: Our State has produced some of the best sportsmen globally. These men and women have been a source of motivation for upcoming athletes. You are all aware that I was priviledged to serve as the Commissioner for Sports in this State , where by the grace of God we had our best outing at the National Sports Festival and were able to upgrade our sports clubs. Sport is, therefore, at the heart of this administration. Our vision is to promote participation of Bayelsans in notable sporting activities especially in areas where we have comparative advantage. We shall engage relevant government institutions, as well as, private sector investors in the overall development of our State sporting infrastructure.
This sector is allocated the sum of N580 Million.

SECURITY: Mr. Speaker, you will agree with me that the progress and development of Bayelsa State is hinged on the security of lives, property and investments. Security is therefore deemed as a focal agenda for this Administration. Government will, upgrade the special security outfit, Doo-Akpo, and ensure a synergy between security outfits in the State. Necessary items shall be provided to support security agencies in the battle to curb criminality in the State.

The already established Command and Control Security Centre shall be properly harnessed to boost our security.

CONCLUSION

Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, the challenges that lie ahead of us this year dictate that we should all work together as we seek to create an enduring economy for the prosperity of our State. Posterity will remain our judge in evaluating our performance as we thrive to keep our promises. We are fully committed to ensuring that the fruits of this Miracle Government impact on all sectors of our economy.

It is therefore, my honour, now, to lay before you the 2020 Appropriation Bill with a total of N242.283 Billion for your consideration and expeditious passage .

May God Prosper and Bless Bayelsa State.

……APC chieftain speaks on Bayelsa West Senatorial Bi-elections

A South-South founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Richard Kpodo, has advised his party to shelve the idea of fielding a candidate for the Bayelsa West Senatorial bi-elections.

Kpodoh insisted that it would be foolhardy for the APC to deploy a disorganised and demotivated structure against a highly-spirited and organised Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the forthcoming poll.

The party chief, who spoke in Port Harcourt at weekend, Rivers State, said Dickson was poised to benefit from his hardwork in holding the PDP together as one big family.

He said while Dickson as a governor built a strong PDP structure, which had been inherited by his anointed successor, Governor Douye Diri, the APC leader in the state and Petroleum Minister, Chief Timipre Sylva, was pursuing a selfish agenda.

He said from 2015 when Dickson defeated Sylva to clinch a second term in office, APC had remained a faltering party in Bayelsa without any focus and direction.

He said the leader of the APC had demonstrated lack of leadership skill and careless attitude in handling party and political affairs in the state adding that his carefree disposition cost the party its governorship victory at the 11th hour.

He urged the national leadership of APC to change the party’s state leader, embark on true and sincere reconciliation to build a strong and sustainable APC in the state.

Kpodoh said APC would only contest, win and sustain electoral victories in the state if it took steps to correct alleged anomalies in the party under Sylva’s leadership.

He said the senatorial slot was zoned to Sagbama Local Government Area adding that parties thinking of presenting candidates outside Sagbama were wasting their time.

He warned against relying on federal might to win the poll saying those insisting on contesting against Dickson should test their popularity in a free, fair and credible election.

He said: “As it stands today, APC under Sylva lacks the elementary requirements to contest and win the forthcoming Senatorial bi-elections against Dickson.

“I am not campaigning for Dickson, but I am stating the obvious truth. My party has lost its mojo in the state under Sylva. We need to build afresh under another leader.

“Therefore, APC doesn’t have the requirements to win the Bayelsa West Senatorial bi-election against Dickson. We all know the political prowess of Dickson and how she built goodwill in the PDP by ensuring that he handed over to a PDP member.

“All the known political leaders in the senatorial district where the election is to hold are all members of the PDP. In Sagbama, the local government area of Dickson, the APC has never won an election there. Even some APC leaders in the area will work for Dickson instead of working for any candidate that will be presented by Sylva.

“We should stop living in self denial. APC should be wheeled to the theatre for a reconstructive surgery before it can make any progress in the state. So, my party should not bother challenging Dickson and the PDP at the poll”.

Reaction has trailed Governor Wike’s move to set up task force on borders which is aimed at checkmating the Covid-19 pandemic from spreading in Rivers State.

A chieftain and former All Progressives Congress Spokesman, Chris Finebone in a short statement made available to journalists with the caption “Reaction to Setting up of Task Force on Borders by Gov. Nyesom Wike”, stated that, “It will be another misstep on the part of the governor to embark on such dangerously ignorant line of action. More so, it will amount to exposing innocent young men who will constitute the boundary task force to enormous danger.”

Continuing he said, “There is no doubt that our security agencies sometime falter when needed most. But that should not be a reason to resort to self-help. Let the governor continue to work with security agents towards enforcing boundary lockdown. Opening another flank of faceoff with the federal security agencies at this time is highly unnecessary. It is even more needless to create a situation that will endanger the lives of innocent young men in the name of task force on borders.”