Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
It was more of a festive, carnival- like atmosphere at the premises of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, as the newly-nominated caretaker committee Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the eight local government Areas of the state and the 32 appointed to head the Rural Development Authority (RDAs) were screened and confirmed by the lawmakers.
The development was coming on the heels of a failed long promise and wait of Governor Douye Diri ‘s promise to conduct local government elections.
In its place, the caretaker committees were given birth.
The development, impeccable sources disclosed, was aimed at fortifying his political base for the November gubernatorial elections.
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Governor Diri also swore them in immediately after the screening exercise.
Those screened and confirmed for the eight councils as caretaker committee Chairmen included Samuel Kalango for Nembe LGA, Chief Ibu Williams Mizodome for Ogbia LGA, Tobi Andy – Yenagoa LGA, Hon. Lucky Okodeh – Southern Ijaw LGA, Barr. Belemu Nemine-Ekeremor LGA, Ebipadei Richman Samuel for Sagbama LGA, Barr. Inemo Oruebimiekumo for Kolokuma-Opokuma LGA, and Alabo Hanson Karika for Brass LGA.
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While those of the rural development authorities included Mrs. Fine Owei -Chairman, Akassa Rural Development Authority (RDA), Sunny Wariboko – Chairman, Brass Rural Development Authority (RDA), Chief Wilson Oruwori – Chairman, Kaiko/Ibe-Awo Rural Development Authority (RDA), Ebiowei Miller – Chairman, Opuokede Rural Development Authority (RDA), Philip Moneyman Daunemugha – Chairman, Aleibiri Rural Development Authority (RDA), Deme Pamoso – Chairman, Ekeremor Rural Development Authority (RDA),Mr. Ebieselekumo Atou – Chairman, Oporomor West Rural Development Authority (RDA), Brayei Eddy – Chairman, Alabini Rural Development Authority (RDA),Mrs. Diere Inokoba – Chairman, Odi Rural Development Authority (RDA), Woyengipreye Ibetei – Chairman, Kolokuma-Opokuma Rural Development Authority (RDA),Mr. Albert Stanley Obi – Chairman, Nembe West Rural Development Authority (RDA),Mr. Jephthath Olali – Chairman, Okoroma-Tereke Rural Development Authority (RDA),Mrs. Mildred Kilete – Chairman, Mini-Ikensi Rural Development Authority (RDA), Chief Iselekuma Alfred-Opuene – Chairman, Nembe East Rural Development Authority (RDA), Hon. Kuro Opuabere Ibaralate – Chairman, Ogbia Rural Development Authority (RDA)Miss Digha Arioni Nicholas – Chairman, Ogbia Central Rural Development Authority (RDA), Eluan Oruwari – Chairman, Ayama Rural Development Authority (RDA), Sunday Azibokodudo Oku – Chairman, Kolo Creek Rural Development Authority (RDA),Tarikiebi Egbedi – Chairman, Toru-Abubou Rural Development Authority (RDA), Highlife Ifie – Chairman, Mein/Oyiakiri Rural Development Authority (RDA),Ann Enebimoere Asankpere – Chairman, Tarakiri Rural Development Authority (RDA), Fred Daubrilagha – Chairman, Sagbama Rural Development Authority (RDA),Mrs. Leah Amara – Chairman, Apoi/Olodiama Rural Development Authority (RDA), Sikoki Saturday Peremobowei – Chairman, Onyoma Rural Development Authority (RDA), Mr. Collins Seighe – Chairman, Ogboin/South Tarakiri Rural Development Authority (RDA) ,Godgift Cornelius – Chairman, Bassan Koluama Rural Development Authority (RDA), Chief Francis T Aguobiri – Chairman, Ogboin North Rural Development Authority (RDA), Kesiye Gbiagbia – Chairman, Bomo Central/ West Rural Development Authority (RDA),Kesiye Taribo – Chairman, Bomo East Rural Development Authority (RDA), Angela Richman Akpana – Okordia/Zarama/ Biseni Rural Development Authority (RDA) Gabriel Ofiemo – Chairman, Epie-Atissa Rural Development Authority (RDA),Tolumona Engedefa – Chairman, Gbarain-Ekpetiama Rural Development Authority (RDA).
In his address during the swearing in ceremony, Governor Diri charged them to reside in their councils domains and also wanred that the state government would frown at any council chairman that flouted the directive on residency.
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They were also directed to appoint only five Supervisory Councilors and that they were only entitled to three personal aides.
While re-echoeing that the embargo on employment was still in force, Governor Diri also warned them against loans from banks and private sources.
While calling on the National Assembly to consider creating more local government areas for the state, he noted that Bayelsa deserves at least 30 constitutionally.
Said he, “All caretaker committee chairmen and Rural Development Authority chairpersons are to reside in their local government headquarters and daily work there. Any travel outside the local government must be with the permission from my office.
“There is still embargo on employment at all levels of staff be it temporary or casual employment. There is also a complete ban on all forms of borrowing, including loans from the bank and private sources.
“Bayelsa State currently has eight local government councils as enshrined and recognized by the 1999 constitution as amended. I therefore like to call on all members of the National Assembly from the state to make effort to ensure our 24 RDAs are recognised as local government councils.
Only seven women made up the 32 newly-appointed RDAs as chairpersons.
