My Eight Years Rule Marked Unprecedented Development – Sen. Dickson
4 min read
by Our Correspondent
The Senator representing Bayelsa West senatorial district, Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson, has said that his eight year rule in Bayelsa state was marked by unprecedented development in all sectors.
Dickson made the statement on Thursday, August 12, while playing host to the local government chairmen from Bayelsa State who paid him a solidarity visit following his invitation by the EFCC on allegation on flood funds diversion and undeclared assets.
He reiterated that he has declared the assets in question which he acquired before he became Governor to the Code of Conduct Bureau for the fifth time.
The former governor said that the indisputable evidence of the declaration of the assets are before the CCB and the EFCC.
Senator Dickson who also spoke on the alleged diversion of N17.5 billion flood funds, explained that no such donation was received in Bayelsa during the 2012 flood crisis and he cannot misappropriate funds that never existed in the first place.
He recalled that the state government set up the Flood Management Committee under the Deputy Governor which received logistic support from the government at the time.
The senator who expressed total dismay at the allegation stated further that the Government set up the post Flood Rehabilitation Committee headed by distinguished and trusted men of integrity, a former National Security Adviser, the late Gen Owoye Azazi, Chief Doukpola and Barrister Iniruo Wills as chairman, Vice Chairman and secretary respectively. When the late General Azazi died tragically, Senator Dickson appointed Chief Doukpola to head the committee.
In his words:, “The only cash donation which was received in the state was N500 million from the Chairman of Globacom, Chief Mike Adenuga which was publicly and properly handed over to the committee in a ceremony. This was publicly acknowledged by the committee.
“Our calls for donations because of the devastating effect of the flood was ignored even by the Federal Government though some public spirited individuals donated relief materials.”
He frowned that the petition written by the NGO had no name of donor and the name of the bank that received or transferred the N17.5 billion.
Dickson expressed further shock that he did not contest any re-election in 2019 as alleged in the petition to the EFCC.
He appreciated the support of the chairmen, “I am happy with the support that I continue to get and what you people are still doing, supporting the state government in building a strong party and a strong government”
“I thank you for your relentless support and services to our dear state. You all know our track record and all what we did even in the management of the councils and our attitude to public finances. So there shouldn’t be any worry. We are not in doubt that the investigating institution will be fair in this issue.
“I assure our people that we have nothing to hide. The allegation about flood donation was frivolous as there was no such thing. The state Government under my leadership had to support the flood committee headed by Gen Azazi ”
“It is also untrue that I did not declare the assets in question to the Code of Conduct Bureau. As a matter of fact, I have declared them for the 5th time.”
The leader of the delegation, and Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Mr Nigeria Kia said: “Having heard and saw what happened to our father and leader yesterday (Wednesday, August 11), we deemed it right to pay a solidarity visit to him as our father in politics who has made it possible for us to be where we are today,
“If we, the grass root politicians, who have enjoyed the support of our father heard this and we don’t avail ourselves the opportunity to visit him, it will not be well with us. That is why we are here to support him and pray that all will be well with him by God’s special grace.
“And also to let the government and the authorities know that our father today is one of the voices (if not the loudest) in the Niger Delta and this idea of bringing down the voice of the Niger Delta is unacceptable to the grass root politicians.
“It is also our humble prayer that those in authority should be very rational in taking any decision or any action they want to take in this matter.
“We are with you and will still stand firm and strong with you.”
