The Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake-Dickson, has promised to embark on radical reform for economic prosperity and efficiency.
The governor stated this in his New Year message, attributing the achievements of his administration, especially in the periods leading up to and after the last governorship elections to the divine will and the massive support and love of the people of the state.
Highlighting some of his achievements, said he made massive rehabilitation of infrastructure in education, health, agriculture, the three senatorial roads and others that have been completed or attained appreciable levels of completion.
Mr. Dickson restated the commitment of the Restoration Government to diversify the economy of the state, away from the present dependence on oil and gas, pointing out that with the State’s International Cargo Airport, expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017, efforts at bringing the state closer to becoming an economic hub will be realised.
According to him, while the intentions of the government were geared towards turning around the fortunes of the state, they will also need the support, cooperation and understanding of all and sundry to achieve the set objectives.
He expressed gratitude to Bayelsans for their firm belief and support during the post election legal tussle, which ended up at the Supreme Court, stressing that, despite threats to lives and in some cases, even physically being assaulted, the people stood by him all the way to the very end.
Mr. Dickson also expressed his appreciation to the entire workforce of the state for their extreme show of understanding of the difficult times, especially with dwindling resources of the state, occasioned by the harsh economic realities facing the country.
He, however, challenged and encouraged organised labour and the entire people of the state to continue to work with the government, even in this new year, as it is determined to embark on radical reforms to put the state in proper stead for greater efficiency in all sectors of the economy.
