15th February, 2012
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Less than 24 hours after taking oath of office as the Governor of Bayelsa State,Seriake Henry Dickson has sacked all political appointees and frozen all bank accounts of the state.
Dickson has also dissolved the executive council he inherited from his predecessor, Timipre Sylva.
Affected by his order are all Senior Special Advisers,Special Assistants, all members of board of Parastatals and government agencies,commissions.
Dickson has also announced the appointment Daniel Mackson as his Senior Special Assistant,Media and Alfred Egbebi,Publisher of Izon Link as Special Assistant,Media.
Later at a ceremony in Government House where he formally got the reins of power from the acting governor,Nestor Binabo, Dickson gave assurance to the people that he would offer good leadership and service.
He had entered into a covenant with the people, he said, by virtue of the mandate which they freely gave to him and that he was duty bound to provide good and responsible leadership that will take the state to the next level.
While assuring that he will lead by example, the Governor pointed out that he will run an open government that is open to advice, suggestions and constructive criticism.
Chief Dickson also assured the people of the state that he will work tirelessly to achieve the goals of his administration as espoused in his transformation agenda.
He solicited the support of all Bayelsans, pointing out that without their support, he cannot do much.
In his farewell remarks, Nestor Binabo congratulated Chief Seriake Dickson, pointing out that the victory was achieved because God was on the new Governor’s side.
Chief Binabo called on Bayelsans to rally round the new Governor and support him through prayers and advice, so that collectively, the government and people can move the state forward.
He prayed God to strengthen Chief Dickson to enable him succeed in the agenda he has set out to achieve.
Highpoint of the brief ceremony was the lowering of the portrait of the former Acting Governor, Chief Binabo by the new Governor and the hoisting of his own portrait on the wall of the Governor’s Conference Room in Government House, Yenagoa.