Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, swore in 14 new commissioners, newly-elected chairmen of the eight local government councils, their vice chairmen as well as the chairman of the  State Board of Internal Revenue, Daniel  Iniekezimene.

Those sworn-in were, Biriyai Dambo (SAN) Attorney-General/Justice, Mr Maxwell Ebibai, Finance, ESV Moses Teibowei, Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Koku Ebiuwou Obiyai, Labour and Productivity, Dr. Gentle Emelah, Education and Mr George Flint, special duties Bayelsa central.

Others were, Mr Komuko Akari Kharim, Power, Perepuighe Biewari, Land and Survey, Miss Ayibakipreye Brodrick, special duties Bayelsa East, Dr. Ebieri Jones, Trade and Industry, Barr. Peter Afagha, Mineral resources, Mrs. Elizabeth Bidei, Women affairs,Mr Michael Magbisa, special duties West and Hon. Daniel Baraladei Igali, Sports Development.

Diri at the swearing-in, held at the Exco Chamber of  Government House, Yenagoa, urged them to sustain, oversee and initiates legacy projects and programmes in their respective ministries.

He also admonished them to exercise prudence in financial  management to ensure efficient utilization of of resources.

The State chief executive, also urged them to foster collaboration among their peers for effective synergy, noting that government would define measurable indicators to evaluate their periodic performance of each ministry track progress towards set goals and objectives.

“Your selection and election among a pool of highly qualified persons inspire confidence in your ability to serve with utmost commitment and distinction, fulfilling the aspirations of all Bayelsans.”

Governor Diri, encouraged them to establish a connections with the people, understand their needs and incorporate them into the policies in their various ministries.

While stressing that the torch of accelerated development that his administration hold aloft in trust for the people was irreversible, he urged them to justify their appointments through dedicated service.

To the newly sworn-in local government chairmen and vice chairmen, the governor, who stressed that the Prosperity Government was poised to strengthening the third-tier of government to foster development in  communities, urged them to reside in their localities.

I want you to uphold the tenets of transparency, consultation and keep in touch with the people as you are the closest to the grassroots. Ensure that you live a peaceful and quiet life. We want to see peace and development in your local governments. 

His words” We will not tamper with local government funds. Rather we will assist you with your development. And l reiterate that local government chairmen should desist from obtaining loans with interest.”

Those inaugurate are Hon. Target Segibo, Southern Ijaw, Hon. Lelei Tariye Isaac, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Chief David Alagoa, Nembe and Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiwari, Yenagoa.

Others were Hon. Alice Allen Tangi, Sagbama, Hon. Onniye Isaac, Ekeremor, Hon. Golden Jeremiah, Ogbia and Hon. Lucky Febo, Brass

He also urged them to place high premium on radical improvement on the security of lives and property, payment of salary as well as revenue generation in their respective council areas.

Governor Diri,  gave a matching order to the council chairmen to rev up the pedal of development by building on the strong foundation laid by their predecessors, adding that his administration would not tolerate any form of security lapses at the third tier of government under their watch.

Inaugurating Daniel Eniekezimene, as State Chairman, Board Internally Revenue, the State number one citizen, who decried the dwindling revenue profile of the State, urged him to device strategies for enhancing shoring up the revenue profile.

Stressed that the the importance of revenue to the state cannot be over-emphasized and tasked the chairman to evolve modern data driven approaches to revenue collection that are efficient, transparent and equitable.

Governor, also advised him to leverage on technology and digital platforms and collaborate with relevant agencies to strengthen the revenue generation processes to promptly address any gap or loopholes.