BAYELSA GOVT. TO PROVIDE FERRY BOATS FOR TRADERS

Story by Rotimi M. Musa.

Tonye Anthony, Commissioner for Works

Bayelsa State Government has concluded plans to procure ferryboats that will be comfortable to convey goods to and from the riverine communities of the state.Briefing newsmen recently in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Tonye Anthony said the ferryboats when acquired, will ply designated routes in the riverine communities of the state at affordable prices, as he added that details of the routes to ply will be worked out as soon as the state government take delivery of the boats.

Explaining further the Transport Commissioner who is presently on an official tour of the state, delved that his Ministry had a master plan for the state. Therefore it decided to embark on the state tour, to have a first hand knowledge of the best ways of tackling the numerous transport problems in the state.

He also revealed that 80 percent of projects in his ministry would be geared towards riverine areas of the state while 20 percent or less would be on land in view of the fact that the state is a predominantly riverine state.

Mr. Tonye Anthony then disclosed that the outcome of his current tour of the state will be fully appreciated by all after the 2004 budget would have been made and presented to the House for approval, maintaining that the transport Ministry is determined to develop transportation services in the state.

Ibori Appoints another Ijaw Commissioner

By EBISEDOR UGBOMAH

The Delta State Governor has presented to the State house of Assembly for screening an additional three new nominees for appointment as commissioners to the State Executive Council.

Government House sources said, the nominees included a legal practitioner Mr. Bosin Ebikeme who is of Ijaw extraction from Warri. His nomination, the source explained was aimed at addressing the alleged age-long marginalisation of the Ijaw by successive administration in the state in particular and the Nigerian nation at large.

Already, the names of nominees have been, forwarded to the House of Assembly by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for ratification. The other two nominees are Mr. Ovuzerie Macaulay who was the former State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Dr. Joseph Otumara former Chairman of Warri South Local government council.

Meanwhile the State Government has also appointed four new aides, they are Mr. Raymos Guanah former Chairman of Patani Local Government Council, as Special Adviser on Local Government Affairs, Mr. Frank Omare Special Senior Assistant on Youths Development, Mr. Emmanuel Omoko, Special Assistant on Community Relations, and Ms. Evelyn Oboro Special Assistant on Women Development.

Consequently, with the latest appointments, the State Executive Council on the confirmation of the new nominees will have a total of 23 Commissioners and about 42 Special Advisers and Assistants. It could be recalled recently that Senator James Manager, representing Delta South Senatorial District in the Upper House of the National Assembly had lamented the lopsided cabinet of the present Gov Ibori administration and implore the governor to immediately do something, which at that time he positively believe the Governor will do. This development as an observer will put it, has portrayed Governor Ibori of Delta State after all as a listening Governor who mean well for the state to develop.
In a related development the State House of Assembly in his sittings at press time has screened and approved the nominees for the appointment.