Bayelsa Deputy Governor Akpe Urges RDA Chairmen To Redouble Efforts Towards Grassroots Development
... Declares Diri As Political Captain Of Bayelsa
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, has called on the chairmen of the 32 Rural Development Authorities (RDAs) in the state to redouble their efforts to achieve sustainable grassroots development in line with the prosperity agenda of Governor Douye Diri.
Dr Peter Akpe made the call on Wednesday at a meeting with the RDA chairmen and other government officials at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, quoted the Deputy Governor as charging the chairmen to do everything within their powers to make positive impact in their various areas of operations to justify the creation of the RDAs
Dr Akpe reminded them to see their current positions as a rare opportunity to write their names in gold, stressing that it was expedient for the people at the grassroots to feel the impact of governance.
He also emphasized that there was only one political agenda and boat of leadership in the state being steered by Governor Douye Diri, adding that every political appointee onboard the ship must respect and religiously follow the directives of the Governor for the collective interest of the state.
According to Dr Akpe, “a good number of the chairmen are doing very well in their respective RDAs”, but called on the few others who are not doing so well to improve on their performance to justify the confidence reposed in them by the government.
His words, “Your positions as RDA chairmen give you an opportunity to write your names in gold, and the privilege to relate and develop experiences and relationships for your tomorrow. It is extremely important.
“I know today this position you hold may not be regarded as too important to some of you. But you must know that there are lots of people out there who have worked and still working for the system that are yet to get anything. I pray that God will continue to give you the grace and enable you use this position to launch to the next level in Jesus name.
“I want to repeat the fact that all of you here are political appointees. So we expect you to always be guided and reminded that there is only one political agenda in this state. It is one; and not even one and a half.
“We expect you and all of us to be reminded and be guided that there is only one captain that is steering the ship of Bayelsa, and we equally expect you to also know that there can be no two captains in one boat.
“The symphony or sound that should come from us should be one chorus, one voice, one purpose and one direction. At this juncture, as Chairmen whom you are, you should begin to show working and make impact. We should be feeling your impact at the grassroots.
‘The actions you take and the results we see will speak for you. You are the core people down there, and we need to begin to feel your impact in the direction we all are going.
“A good number of you are doing well; while some of you are passive waiting for any thing that goes. You must know that you cannot be in a boat that you don’t believe in.”
The meeting had in attendance the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, the Permanent Secretary as well as the Director of Finance and Accounts of the Local Government Ministry, Mr. Fred Kemedei, and Dr Tarila Nikade..
Also present were the Director of Research, Deputy Governor’s Office, Pastor John Ebikake, and his local government administration counterpart, Dr. Friday Egbegi, amongst others.
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