By Sampson Boroh
Governor-elect of Bayelsa State, Chief David Lyon, has ordered the 59-member Transition Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to closely monitor financial dealings by the Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the February 14 handing over date.
He also charged the committee to thoroughly scrutinize the accounts of the Governor Dickson’s administration with a vow that the incoming APC-led government in the state would face socio-economic problem confronting the state headlong.
Lyon gave the directive on Wednesday during the inauguration of the transition committee headed by a former acting governor of the state, Werinipre Seibarogu.
The governor-elect also charged the committee to develop and identify failures of the outgoing administration and as well as proffer possible solutions to tackle the economic, security, development, infrastructure and other problems confronting the people of the state.
Lyon, while reeling a 12-point term of reference for the committee including monitoring of the Governor Dickson’s dealings with banks and financial institutions, urged it to scrutinise bills passed into law within the past 4 years.
He also told the committee to interface with the out-going administration for purposes of a smooth handover/take-over and receive handover documents from ministries, departments and agencies.
According to him, “To analyse hand-over notes and identify, prioritize important or urgent issues confronting the in-coming Government, to review and preliminary assessment of the balance sheet of government with particular emphasis on, check the Status and liabilities of Government and the Cash flow position of the Government including specific x-raying on relationship with all banks and financial institutions.
“To check the quantum of Public Domestic and External Debt of Government and their deployment, Government’s outstanding contractual obligations and its ability to meet such obligations, status of implementation of capital projects, status of Budget Performance (especially the Current Budget) and status of IGR and Taxes’.
“Provide brief on civil service reforms carried out in the past seven years; workforce of core Ministries, Departments and Agencies; recruitment/career appointments made and staff disposition records for the past four years and provide brief on pension funds Administration; note record of outstanding indebtedness on payment of gratuity and allowances to pensioners.”
Chief David Lyon in his speech also noted that though the challenges before the APC and the incoming administration are enormous, said, “’No doubt, there are enormous challenges facing us as a people. Some of you here have witnessed these challenges before and may have, in your heart, been thinking of what you would do to address them if given the opportunity.
“Some others are here to contribute fresh ideas towards addressing the issues before us. We have often talked about the failures of the outgoing government and its inability to solve the problems bedeviling our state.
“The onus now lies in us to bring to bear those solutions that we have, for long, kept in our hearts. You must have in mind that the task before us is enormous and must, therefore, bring your utmost best in proffering solutions to our numerous challenges.
“It is often said that the true test of a man’s character is when you give him power. It has fallen on you, ladies and gentlemen, not just to find and identify failures of the outgoing administration but also proffer possible solutions to tackle the economic, security, development, infrastructure and the several other areas that often put the machinery of government in the negative.
“This, we must do to regain the confidence Bayelsa people have reposed in us.It has fallen on us to protect the health of those without wealth and to seek solutions to insecurity, which has continued to threaten our right to life.
“This is a duty that you must discharge with dignity, determination and distinction for which you are widely admired. I thank you all so much for showing up for this great state assignment. I can’t describe how fulfilled I feel when we connect as one for a greater purpose. I mindfully took this path and to this day I have had no course to regret.
“Your charge is contained in the document given to you immediately after my remark. It gives me great pleasure to be part of this history. History is more than what is left by the past. It influences the present and can shape the future.”
“Leadership is upon us now, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, and expectations are high, we cannot afford to disappoint our people. You will recall that when I received the certificate of returns, I clearly indicated that we have entered into a contract with the people of Bayelsa State.
“This is our first test to prove our people right in the choice they made in the November 16th 2019 election. No doubt, there are enormous challenges facing us as a people. Some of you here have witnessed these challenges before and may have, in your heart, been thinking of what you would do to address them if given the opportunity.
“Some others are here to contribute fresh ideas towards addressing the issues before us. We have often talked about the failures of the outgoing government and its inability to solve the problems bedeviling our state.
“The onus now lies in us to bring to bear those solutions that we have, for long, kept in our hearts. You must have in mind that the task before us is enormous and must, therefore, bring your utmost best in proffering solutions to our numerous challenges.
“It is often said that the true test of a man’s character is when you give him power. This, we must do to regain the confidence Bayelsa people have reposed in us. It has fallen on us to protect the health of those without wealth and to seek solutions to insecurity, which has continued to threaten our right to life.
“This is a duty that you must discharge with dignity, determination and distinction for which you are widely admired. I thank you all so much for showing up for this great state assignment. I can’t describe how fulfilled I feel when we connect as one for a greater purpose. I mindfully took this path and to this day I have had no course to regret”, Lyon further added.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Transition Committee and Former acting Governor, Werinipre Seibarogu, thanked the Party and the Governor-elect for the opportunity to serve and vowed to fulfill the terms of reference handed the committee.
