Yenagoa—A social commentator, Comrade Wisdom Ikuli has urged the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri to appoint a Secretary to the State Government (SSG), substantive Chief of Staff (CoS) and Local Government Caretaker Committee members.
Ikuli who is the President, Niger Delta Nonviolence Agitators Forum (NDNAF), highlighted the importance of the office of the SSG, stating that it is one of the first appointments that is made the moment a Governor or President assumes office.
In a statement sent to mangrovepen.ng, he outlined the functions of the office of the SSG to include assisting the Governor to achieve the vision and objectives of the administration through the provision of advice and guidance.
His words:
“The SSG coordinates the activities of all ministries, non-ministries and extra ministries of the state.
“The SSG ensures effective coordination and monitoring of the implementation of policies and programmes of the government.
“The SSG coordinates activities of Commissions and Committees set up by the government. The SSG coordinates National and State Ceremonies including Democracy Day, Armed Forces Remembrance Week, Independence Day Celebration, etc.
“The SSG coordinates security matters and petitions and appeals to the Governor for necessary actions. The SSG coordinates Protocol Matters, State Visits and Functions.
“The SSG liaises between the State Government and Local Government Areas through Liaison Offices/Officers.
“The SSG is saddled with the responsibility of achieving Government White Papers on Conclusion and Reports of Commissions of Inquiry, Committees and Panels. The SSG coordinates National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) matters in the state, etc.”
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Stressing the importance of the office of the Chief of Staff, Ikuli averred that the office is solely responsible for the day-to-day running of the activities of the Governor.
“Some persons may argue that there is presently an Acting Chief of Staff but it is obvious that they don’t know the difference between Acting and Substantive.
“Anything that is acting is laced with so much limitations. The powers of anyone that is acting in an office is very limited,” he posited.
Ikuli who is also the Executive Director
Centre for Peace Advocacy and Social Rehabilitation (CPASR) questioned the absence of a Caretaker Committee for the Local Government Councils in the state.
“As a critical stakeholder in the Bayelsa State and Ijaw Nation Project, I have every right to call out the Governor without fear or favour because he is our employee and servant.
“The man Bayelsans employed with their votes cannot be greater and bigger than the people who are his employers. The same way our house boys and maids cannot be bigger than us in our individual houses,” he said.
