By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, has charged chairmen of the 32 Rural Development Authorities, (RDAs), to intensify efforts to complete all ongoing projects for inauguration and use to improve the living conditions of rural people in their respective areas.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, gave the charge while presiding over a meeting with the chairmen and principal officers of the various RDAs at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
Dr. Akpe, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, stressed the need for due diligence in terms of documentation and procurement in line with extant regulatory policies to ensure accountability and quality in project execution.
The Deputy Governor who commended the principal officers of the RDAs, including treasurers and directors for supporting their principals, however, urged the chairmen to attach premium to project delivery for the grassroots people to feel the impact of governance.
Dr. Akpe seized the opportunity to call on the chairmen and all workers in the various RDAs to participate fully in all the activities lined up for the Bayelsa at 30 Anniversary Celebration, which is expected to commence on the 28th of this month.
According to the Deputy Governor, some of the major activities to mark the anniversary include Ijaw Language awareness programme, sporting events, road flotilla from Igbogene to terminate at Oxbow Lake; boat regattas, musical concert, anniversary lecturer, state mega praise, anniversary dinner, among others.
He also reminded the RDA bosses and all political office holders that the Governor of the State, Senator Douye Diri, wields the highest political authority at the state level that must be obeyed and respected for the common good of the state.
While underscoring the importance of constructive criticism in governance, Dr Akpe, also urged them to propagate the good works of the Douye Diri-led Administration by acting as a bridge between the government and the people at the grassroots.
His words: “We appreciate you for your support, and for playing your roles as chairmen and principal officers of our RDAs.
“But let me also use this opportunity to encourage you to speed up and complete all ongoing projects; follow up on your documentations and ensure that they are properly done in conformity with all procurement regulations.
“We need a compendium of all the projects you have done from the beginning of your appointment as chairmen. The projects you have done in pictures, soft and hardcopies, including the titles, and communities where the projects are located.
“Additionally, please ensure that you participate wholly in the forthcoming anniversary programme. The anniversary begins on the 28th with several activities lined up including an Ijaw Language awareness programme. Ensure that you are all part of it.
“Finally, we must all work and contribute to the system we belong to. We should be seen showing our support for the programmes of the administration. Propagate the good works of the government. If there is something that we need to do, then constructively critique it and get it across to us to address it.
“I always tell everybody that there is only one captain in the boat. As he directs, all of us follow. So do well to key into the administration’s ideas and ideologies.”
Some of the RDA chairmen who spoke at the meeting expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor for the competence he has shown in the handling of local government and RDA affairs, and assured him of their preparedness to complete the ongoing projects in no distant time.
Highpoint of the meeting was presentation of a gift item to the Deputy Governor by the RDA Chairmen’s Forum led by its Leader, Sir Saturday Sikoki, in appreciation of his effective supervision of the RDAs.
