Bayelsa Gov Charges Electoral Commission on Conduct of Credible Council Polls
...Inaugurates Civil Service Commission, State, LGA Auditors-General
By Edu Abade
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has tasked new members of the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) to conduct credible local government elections that will be a reference point in Nigeria.
The governor, who also urged the commission to exercise its independence, gave the charge on Wednesday when he swore in chairman and members of the commission and the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission in Yanagoa.
Also sworn in were the state’s Auditor-General, his local government counterpart, as well as a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Daniel Alabrah, the governor said the appointments were based on merit and the individuals’ track record of achievements, adding that he had no doubt that with the appointees’ wealth of experience they would add value to the government and people of the state.
He charged them to operate in line with their oaths of office, stressing that a lot was expected of them in terms of service delivery.
The state’s helmsman tasked the Civil Service Commission to bring credibility to the service and spur workers on, saying its immediate task was to ensure the emergence of permanent secretaries according to the rules.
While describing the State and Local Government Auditors-General as well as the new member of the Judicial Service Commission as people familiar with the system, he urged them not to deviate from the performance level they had been known for but to do more in the service of the state.
“For all of those sworn in, you are not new to governance. So I have very little to say. You had performed creditably and we did not want to make any mistakes. So we took our time to make the appointments.
“This is a call to duty and performance. We believe that you will do exactly as it is stated in the oaths you have taken – you are going to be fair to all and you will not be corrupt. Wherever you see corruption, expose it.
“I charge you to perform your duties with all that you know and with all that you have experienced over the years in the interest of Bayelsa State. As you do that, God in heaven is also happy and you will be happy that you gave yourselves to humanity.
“For the state Auditor-General, you have been on this beat for some time. Your confirmation today shows that you have done well and we hope you will not renege on what you had done before.
The new chairman of the Civil Service Commission is Mr. Perekiye Buruboyefe, while the members are Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria Abbah Tekenah, Victor Ovie-Izibe, Bar. Mirin Johnson, and Chief Franco Ayibadomo Samson.
Immediate past chairman of the civil service commission, Dr. Peter Singabele now heads the BYSIEC, with Dr. Elliot Augustus Osomu and Dr. (Mrs.) Mary John as members of the commission.
Also sworn in are Tarimotimi Dounana as Auditor-General of the state and Mrs. Fagha Henry Prenanagha as Auditor-General of Local Governments, while Ambassador Ogidi-Oke Ayibakuro was sworn in as member of the State Judicial Service Commission.
