Jonathan’s six years as Nigeria’s president a wasted opportunity for Ijaws – Governor Dickson

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has said the six years Goodluck Jonathan spent as Nigeria’s president, was a wasted opportunity for the Ijaws.

Dickson alleged that this was because some Ministers and other presidential aides from Bayelsa were after selfish interests.

The Governor said this while speaking at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, where Ijaw leaders and youths gathered for the annual celebration of their hero, Major Adaka Boroh, on Tuesday.

Dickson claimed those who served in the Presidency for six years, failed to work with him in the quest to bring development to the state, because “they suffered from the Bayelsa-Ijaw disease of pulling-him-down syndrome.

“It is true that we are celebrating Boroh, but ask yourself whether you are doing your bit. Boroh came, saw and did his bit and has gone. I and my team have come and we have taken up the battle from where Boroh stopped and we are doing our duties.

“Each of us must examine ourselves and to be frank we have not done very serious examination in this state and in the Ijaw nation. We cannot blame God. God has been very merciful and kind to us particularly of late,” he added.

Bayelsa declares N7bn surplus, hails FG’s economic strategy

The Bayelsa State Government has declared N 7 bn as a total balance in the state ’s account after loan deductions , salary payment and recurrent expenditures.

The Deputy Governor of the state , Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (retd . ), stated this on Thursday while briefing journalists during the monthly transparency status of the state ’s revenues.

Jonah said the Federal Government ’s economic strategy had impacted positively on states leading to improved funding for recurrent and capital spendings.

He said though the state government was still worried about the level of the state ’ s Internally Generated Revenue, the improved economic policies of the Federal Government impacted positively on states.
The deputy governor declared that a total balance in Bayelsa State account was N 7 ,079 ,454 ,439 after loan deductions , salary payment and recurrent expenditure .

Jonah said , “ Though we are dependent on oil sales controlled by the Federal Government , things are improving . Figures don ’t lie .

“ I would have liked to see the Internally Generated Revenue improve for the state . I am not happy about the IGR. The state ’s IGR is fluctuating between N600 m monthly. It is not enough . We expect taxable companies and persons to declare what they earn and pay the required taxes . ”

Giving a breakdown of the state finances for February, the deputy governor said the gross inflow during the month under review was N10. 5bn with a total of N 1. 4 bn deduction from Federal Accounts Allocation Committee on bonds, loans and bail out for the state .

Jonah further explained that a balance of N 6 .9 bn was brought forward from January and added to the February balance of N4 .3 bn .

According to him , the payment made on recurrent was N 2 bn and capital payment of N 2 bn, bringing the total balance to N 7bn .


Punch