The Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Alfred Watson, Wednesday led his team to pay a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
Watson said he decided to visit the state’s traditional rulers to seek partnership and counsel, as he prepares to steer the ship of the newly created ministry.
The Commissioner who described the traditional institution as the custodian of the grassroots said his office will synergize with it to implement policies that would benefit communities across the state.
He noted that though his assignment as pioneer Commissioner of the ministry might be a difficult task, he believes the ministry would record optimal results during his time with the support of all stakeholders.
Watson profusely thanked Governor Douye Diri for finding him worthy to serve in his administration to add value to residents of communities in the state.
In his response, King Dakolo, who congratulated the new Commissioner on his appointment, advised him to realize that his success would largely depend on his capacity to deliver tasks ahead.
The Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council Chairman noted that since the newly carved out ministry was initially attached to another ministry, the results may not have been very visible and urged the commissioner to do a lot of research.
He emphasized that midwifing a brand new ministry which from an objective point of view did not achieve anything tangible in the past, must be given holistic attention, especially as it regards undermining of communities by the International Oil Companies (IOCs).
King Dakolo, who is also the Ibedaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, stated that the community structure has been deliberately undermined by the oil and gas industry to the point where the fabrics that grow communities are largely dismembered.
The revered monarch also admonished the commissioner to carry out a value reorientation of the people because some elements in the communities have allegedly been bought over by the IOCs, leaving them in a divide and rule situation.
Mangrovepen.ng gathered that King Dakolo also gifted an autographed copy of one of his widely read books to the new Commissioner.
Hon. Watson was accompanied to the meeting by Chief Nyananyo Tubu-Miela, Chief Kuroekigha Ben-Wari, Barr Philemon Kelly Dickson, Engr. Ologo Oworibo and Nadu Okenema, among others.
