By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Indigenes of other South South states, residing and doing business in Bayelsa State, have been urged to support and cooperate with the Governor Douye Diri-led ‘Prosperity Government’.
This is given the fact that the administration “has created an enabling environment for the non-indigenous communities in every nook and cranny of the state, and also considers them major stakeholders in its developmental policies and program.
Outgone president of a socio-political organization, known as South – South Community In Bayelsa, Dr Dokubo Madapuye Felix made this known at the swearing-in/inauguration of the new executive of the body at the weekend.
According to him, the people of the South – South Community in Bayelsa State appreciate the efforts of Governor Douye Diri, the leader of Prosperity administration and his workaholic deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and applaud them greatly for creating a very enabling and safe environment for all especially the non-indigenes to carry out their legitimate business in all the eight local government areas of the state.
He also commended the Commissioner for Special Duties (General Duties), Hon Mazi Onuma Johnson, while appreciating his significant role in galvanizing the non-indigenous bodies in Bayelsa State, via strategic synergy and collaboration, and providing an all inclusive government and community participation, promoting human capital development and most importantly organizing the 2023 maiden edition of non-indigenes cultural festival themed, ‘Strength in Diversity,’ where the beauties of the culture of the South South were showcased.
He further disclosed that the group has been in existence since the creation of Bayelsa State, not as a registered body, adding that the official formation as a body known as South South Community in Bayelsa was in 2017 by its founding fathers whose role is to bring together all indigenes of the five states making the south south geo political zone residing in Bayelsa state to one recognized umbrella body for socio cultural, economic , political and welfare of its members.
“But the docile and non functionality of the previous administration brought in Dokubo led administration to rejig and revamped the body in 2021 and today we are present to witness and celebrate the successes and achievements of the Dokubo,s led administration which is today crowned with swearing in and inauguration of the new executives.”
He urged the new executives led by Engr Ernest lnyang to leverage on his recorded achievements, among which are, unification of the house, priotization of members welfare, constitution review, state membership drive, revenue generation for the community via MOU/MOA signed with community based appointees and other political appointees of the South extraction constitutionally encouraged to be part of and completion of the process of registration with the corporate affairs commission.
Speaking to journalists after the inauguration and swearing in, the new president General being the first elected executives of the south south Community in Bayelsa, Engr Ernest Inyang promised to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor and solicited for the cooperation of members of the south south Community in Bayelsa and assured that he operate an open door policy and welcome constructive criticisms and ideas that will galvanize the body.
He said, “A new administration of love, hope and prosperity has come to stay in South South Community. As your president my hands are open to receive every son and daughters of South South Community at anytime and day. Therefore, feel free to make useful contributions that will help us realize our ultimate goal”
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner of Special Duties (General Duties), Hon Mazi Onuma Johnson, urged the non Indigenous bodies to key into the ASSURED policy of the Governor Douye Diri,s administration which is poised to provide enabling environment for the the non Indigenous bodies to engage in legitimate business to earn their living and live harmoniously with the host state.
