Payroll Fraud: We Want To Leave Behind A Healthy Civil Service, Bayelsa Dep. Gov.

Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah ‎(rtd) 

Bayelsa State Government on Wednesday declared its intention to sustain the ongoing reforms in the public sector despite what it described as pockets of opposition by some unpatriotic individuals and groups.

The government wants anyone who cares to listen that it has a responsibility to clean up a system that has been bastardized by some greedy individuals who over the years have taken advantage of the loopholes in the public service to perpetrate all forms of fraud.

The State's Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah ‎(rtd) stated this in Yenagoa during a live interactive programme; Restoration Hour on the state owned Glory FM (Radio Bayelsa).

The Deputy Governor who admitted some minor imperfections ‎in the reform process, said avenues have been provided for anyone who feels unduly treated to voice their concern before some of the committees set up for that purpose.

According to him "we have a responsibility to reform the system within the limits of human imperfection. Like every other process we know this is not perfect but we are working to ensure a fair deal for everyone".

Jonah revealed that‎ the restoration government wants to leave behind a robust public service which is why it is setting up a standard to enable the next government have a benchmark to take off upon resumption. 

He wants those opposed to the reforms to know that it is not a witch-hunt but an inevitable exercise to save the public service from near collapse and maintained that the government is not selective in the renewed fight against payroll thieves and robbers.  

The Deputy Governor explained that the right civil service procedures wil‎l be followed to disengage those who have either compromised the system in one way or the other or have allowed themselves to be beneficiaries of illegality. 

"Contrary to insinuations in some quarters, we are not sacking anybody but those who have been confirmed to have falsified their age, certificates or have promoted themselves arbitrarily will have to go. These are cases that cannot be overlooked.

"However we are mindful of the effect of the action we are taking. So what we are doing is give those affected some form of soft landing by given them 3 months notice or 1 month notice of payment in lieu of their disengagement.  

"To show our sincerity in the reforms, we are following the normal procedure as laid out in the civil service rule. As a responsible government we have made it possible for those who due to administrative and humans are caught in the web to seek redress before the judicial commission of inquiry headed by a competent judge".

‎While insisting that the ongoing reforms is been done with human face, the deputy governor decried the inability of the government to employ fresh hands for years now due to the malfeasance that has been going on in the system and called on all Bayelsans to show some understanding. 

Jonah also announced plans to‎ employ more teachers with requisite skills to cover up the shortfall as part of repositioning the education sector and enhance learning in public schools across the state.

The Bayelsa number two man listed some of the ‎support given to the Niger Delta University (NDU) to include monthly subvention, ongoing senate building, among other projects and dismissed reports of neglect of the institution by the government. 

Official Draws Ceremony And Distribution Of Jerseys For 2nd Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament

OFFICIAL DRAWS CEREMONY AND DISTRIBUTION OF JERSEYS FOR 2ND GOVERNOR SERIAKE DICKSON FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT (RESTORATION CUP)

The Local Organising Committee of the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament wishes to inform the general public that the Official Draws Ceremony and distribution of jerseys for the second edition of the competition has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 19, 2018.

This is to enable more interested communities and participants complete their registration process.

Details of the ceremony are as follows:

Special Guest of Honour: 

His Excellency Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State

Guest of Honour: 

His Excellency Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State

Chairman of the occasion: 

Dr. Peter Singabele, CAF Committee Member

Chief Host: 

Hon. Perekiye Buruboyefe, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports 

DATE : THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018      

VENUE: DSP ALAMIEYESEIGHA BANQUET HALL, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, YENAGOA

TIME: 12 o'clock

All LGA Chairpersons,Commissioners,  Political Appointees, Coaches/Captains of all registered community football teams in the state, Sports Journalists, Bayelsa Football Association, Bayelsa Referees Association, Stakeholders, Coaches, Footballers and the general public are cordially invited.

We Have Not Increased School Fees In Tertiary Institutions In Bayelsa - Registrars/Bursars

....GOVT COMMITTED TO FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR REFORMS - COMMISSIONER 

Registrars and bursars of state-owned tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State have said that the leadership of the six tertiary institutions have not increased schools fees.

The declaration by the registrars and the bursars have laid to rest the widespread rumour that the management of the Niger Delta University had increased tuition fees in the institution.

The bursars and the registrars made the clarification in a meeting presided over by the Chief of Staff Government House, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo, which was also attended by the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, his Labour, Employment and Productivity counterpart, Chief Collins Cocordia and the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, on Tuesday

They bursars and registrars who expressed shock at the wild rumour stated further that their records showed that students were paying what was paid in the last academic session.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Government on Tuesday restated its committed to the full implementation of the ongoing public sector reforms in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, made the comment during the meeting with registrars and bursars of state-owned tertiary institutions in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

Obuebite stressed that the government would ensure a thorough implementation of the reforms in the tertiary institutions across the state.

He commended the bursars for making what he described satisfactory presentations on the situations in their respective schools especially on the issue of school fees and members of staff affected by the reforms.

Obuebite said that while the government would sustain the policy of giving subventions to the schools, the institutions were also enjoying the necessary encouragement to boost their internally generated revenue in order to make them more independent.

Bayelsa Government Charges Governing Boards To Take Full Responsibility In The Affairs Of The Tertiary Institutions

The Governing Boards and Councils of the various tertiary institutions in the State have been charged to take full responsibility in the affairs of the institutions and address the concerns raised by the various unions on the implementation of the reforms.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, in a statement on Tuesday made the call following repeated requests on the government to intervene in a matter that is strictly within the purview and power of the governing boards to handle. 

The government spokesman said that it had become imperative for the governing boards to take full charge in the affairs of the institution and ensure a holistic implementation of the ongoing public sector reforms in the schools.

Iworiso-Markson recalled that the Miyebo-led Committee held series of meetings with the governing boards and councils where agreements were reached on pertinent issues which included the workforce that each of the tertiary institutions 

He stressed that the government decided to commit N630 million as subvention to the six tertiary institutions of the state as fall out of decisions reached during the meetings that subventions should be given to the schools in accordance with standard practice.

He said, “In those meetings, a decision was reached with a clear policy of placing the various tertiary institutions on subvention as is the norm everywhere especially as it relates to government funding of tertiary institutions. 

“The government spends a total of N630 million as subventions on various tertiary institution in the state the breakdown of which includes NDU: N350m; Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education: N100m; College of Health Technology Otougidi: N40m; The Polytechnic Aleibiri N50m; University of Africa N75m and International Tourism Institute N15m.”

Iworiso-Markson advised union leaders to be wary of the antics of disgruntled politicians on a mission to use them to destabilize the polity.

He called the attention of the unions to the activities of mischief makers with plans to incite the public against the government through the utterances of Labour Leaders. 

He enjoined the union members to adhere to the rules guiding the operations of the public service by “exploring the proper channels to seek redress rather than resort to granting interviews to the media with the intent to blackmail and incite the public against the government.

Energy Group Backs BelemaOil For Acquisition Of More Oil Assets, OML 11 & 25

Lord Charles Ibiang 

Partners for Petroleum and Energy Sector Prosperity Initiative, (P-PESPI) a new advocacy group for the Petroleum and Energy sector, has throw her weight behind BelemaOil producing Company for its drive to acquires more Oil Assets in OML 11 & 25. in the next bidding round.

In a press release signed by Lord Charles Ibiang, Chairman, P-PESPI and made available to our correspondence in Abuja on Monday,  he called on the Federal Government  that as a strategy of reducing conflicts in Oil bearing host communities in Niger Delta and Oil and gas infrastructure/ pipeline Vandalism, is by allowing indigenous upstream Oil Companies take over or acquired Oil Assets of the divestment programme of multi nationals&NNPC Marginal field programme in various Host communities, were these Companies have good will and Comparative advantage over community relations& security issues as long as they posses the requisite Experience, Competence, Technical and Financial Capabilities.

P-PESPI therefore urge SHELL not to seek Renewal of OML 11 and 25 licenses but allow BELEMAOIL to acquire and take over them. We believe it will reduce friction and increase production for Govt. Our observation is that indigenous Oil Producers Coy take care of their Host communities better that multi Nationals because they understand realities and peculiarities on ground in those Communities.

“We advocate that, future Allocation of Oil leases, particularly in 2019, when most or about 47 Oil block Leases would have Expired and subsequent Renewal processes commences, Our model should be put into consideration even as we call for an Open and Transparent bidding Round.

“Indigenous upstream Companies and Marginal fields Operators that have show serious and Capacity like BelemaOil, Seplat, etc should be given opportunity for more Assets to decrease their Exposure to Risk through huge Production and Economy of Scale.

“Nigerians must begin to play major Roles both on the Onshore and deep offshore upstream sector of the petroleum Industry

“Oil Mining Lease 11 lies in the south eastern Niger delta and contains 33 Oil &Gas fields of which eight are producing as per 2017.
OML 25 lies 50 kilometers south west of portharcourt in the onshore eastern delta and part of Shell/NNPC JV. The block is located on the coastal mangrove swamp and extends lightly offshore. Its intersected by the Santa Barbara and San Bartholomew Rivers.

Lord Charles Ibiang, was a former Oil Company Worker, Energy Activist and aDelegate at the 2014 National Conference and served in the famous Energy Committee.Presently is the Chairman, Partner for Petroleum and Energy Sector Prosperity Initiative, a new advocacy group for the Petroleum and Energy Sector.

Bayelsa Govt Restates Commitment to Public Service Reforms

Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah retd, (left) addressing members of the Press during the February/March 2018 edition of the monthly Transparency Initiative Press Briefing at Government House, Yenagoa, while the State Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai (2ndright) and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Treasury, Accounts and Revenue, Mr.Timipre Seipulo (right) looks on. 

...Posts N1.3bn IGR For February

Bayelsa Government says, it would pursue its ongoing public service re-organisation process to a logical conclusion before the termination of the present administration for the overall interest of the state.

The State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Retd) made the declaration on Friday, during the monthly transparency briefing on the state’s income and expenditure for the months of February and March, 2018 in Government House, Yenagoa.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Francis Ottah-Agbo quoted the deputy governor as saying that, the government had already made several startling discoveries, through biometrics and other measures adopted in the fight against fraudulent practices in the state public service.

According to Rear Admiral John Jonah, the government would meticulously adhere to extant public service regulations in dealing with issues bordering on falsification of age, certificates and redundancy to create opportunities for qualified Bayelsans, as well as enhance infrastructural development.

While assuring those who would be affected by the process of justice, the deputy Governor sued for their understanding and cooperation to enable government succeed in building a virile public service.

His words, "It is a plague that has been with us for a very long time. We need time to educate our people and gradually move to the point that we want to be. Several committees have been set up for the tertiary institutions, main civil service, parastatals, local government councils and rural development authorities.

"It's still work in progress. But, the government plan is that, if you did not get engaged in the proper way, you have no business being in the service. If you fraudulently obtained a certificate and joined the system, you have no business being in the service. If you continue to get younger as the years are going...government will no longer be able to accommodate you.

"The Government has made several plans to be able to handle the issue properly. So the idea of thinking that people would just be thrown out to the streets is absolute misinformation. That's not the plan of government. But we must accept that the present burden of over bloated workforce is not sustainable."

Giving a breakdown of the financial position of the state as at the end of February, Rear Admiral John Jonah announced a gross inflow of N15 billion, comprising a statutory allocation of N2.9billion, derivation N10billion and a value added tax (VAT) of N869million.

He, however, explained that, the total FAAC deductions of N1.6billion left the state with a net inflow of N13billion, while the internally generated revenue (IGR) for January stood at N1.7billion.

On outflows, the deputy governor noted that, the government spent a total of N5.9billion on items such as civil servant and political appointees’ salaries N3.27billion, grant to state-owned tertiary institutions-N630million and 10% contribution to primary school teachers' salaries.

For the month of March, he announced N15.3billion as gross inflow, N1.6billion as total FAAC deductions, a net inflow of N13.7billion, while IGR for February was put at N1.1billion.

Rear Admiral John Jonah, who noted that, N7.5billion stood as balance of funds available as at the end of March, said the government paid N3.6 billion on recurrent, while capital payments gulped N6.2billion.

Governor Dickson's Tournament Organisers Commend Ogbia Unity Cup for successful competition

...To take the Two finalist for Restoration Cup

The Central Organising Committee of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, has commended the organisers of the just concluded Ogbia Unity Cup.

The committee also congratulated Otuasega community for emerging winners of the competition which was concluded last weekend, after defeating Otuokpoti community, one goal to nil in the finals at Opume.

In a statement signed and released in Yenagoa by the Director General of the Restoration Cup 2018, Ono Akpe, he applauded the organisers for a job well done, and for the hitch-free tournament.

"We are indeed happy with the Ogbia Unity Cup tournament. We commend the organisers and everyone who played a role or two to see to the conclusion of the tournament". It was also a great final between Otuasega and Otuokpoti, and I also praise the two teams as well as other communities that participated", he said.

The Director General hinted that the draws for the Restoration Cup will be done soonest, so that other Local government areas can produce their two finalist that would compete with Otuasega and Otuokpoti in the Round of 16.

He used the opportunity to call on community leaders and stakeholders, to rally round their teams that registered for the competition, when it eventually kick off in a