By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, has justified the need for institutionalising the two educational development laws, as they would assist in building a crop of highly skilled and educated Bayelsa youths, to meet the challenges of a competitive and industrialised world now and in the future.
Dickson, who restated the government’s position during a live radio and television interview programme in Yenagoa, canvassed the support of the people of the State to enable his administration provide quality education, particularly for the less privileged children.
He said the time has come for the State to take up the challenge of reversing the trend, where youths engage in unproductive activities that could truncate their future.
While highlighting his administration’s achievements in the sector, Dickson noted that, the recent educational development laws were a culmination of the substantial investments and legacies in education.
He further provided some insights into the educational policies of the government, stating that, the Educational Development Trust Fund (EDTF) is expected to receive between N100 and N250 million monthly, while that of the higher education students loan would be solely funded by the government.
He reemphasised that it was mandatory for workers in the public service, the government officials, including the private sector to contribute to the fund, as the beneficiaries are the children of the average Bayelsan.
Responding to a question on employment of beneficiaries of the students loan scheme, Dickson said, though, the policy does not guarantee their automatic employment, the ongoing reorganisation of the public service would provide job opportunities for many Bayelsa youths.
On markets and public car parks, he expressed the hope that, the new Kpansia Market would be put to use soon as the about 200 stalls were ready.
The Governor, who disclosed that, the government has completed the construction of additional six hundred stalls at the Swali Market, directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to commence rehabilitation of the dilapidated sections of the road linking the market.
He also noted that, in line with his administration’s policy of building high quality and durable infrastructure, the ultra modern motor terminal at Igbogene, which has reached advanced stage of completion, would help in the control of traffic in Yenagoa now and, especially in the future.
On the issue of the refund of the Paris club, Dickson disclosed that, the government would soon secure its share of the second tranche of the refund, assuring that, Bayelsans would be notified, in line with its policy of transparency and accountability.
Making some clarifications on the planned Government Reservation Area, GRA, in Yenagoa, he explained that, the plots in the area were expected to be costlier, as they were four times bigger than the normal size of plots in the middle and high density areas, which are affordable to low income earners.
The Governor equally called on the local government council chairmen to adopt the transparency stance of the State Government, in the prudent management of their revenues, adding that, since assumption of office in the last 5 years, the government has not tampered with council funds.