Dickson To Prioritize Community Development In Second Term
Felix Okoye
Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has said community development would be a major priority of his administration when re-elected.
Dickson who stated this in an interview with journalists on Wednesday, said his shift in focus to community development became necessary in view of its immense possibilities among the rural dwellers in the area of economic integration and general wellbeing of the people.
According to Dickson, who said his recent community tour in the course of campaign across the state further opened his eyes to the realities of rural life and appreciation of the people especially the women for the government’s efforts in establishing amenities in their areas, believed community development would help to have an inclusive society and better the lots of the people.
“My tour has opened my eyes more than ever before to the realities of rural life and particularly to the possibilities of our people. God bless our women, mothers and grandmothers! As we tour communities, we see them happy, showing heartfelt appreciation for one school or health center that was built or renovated.
“I believe that with what I have seen in the course of my tour, in the next tenure community development will have a higher priority because I have seen that one little investment in your community touches many lives and changes their lives and the way they perceive government. I will find a way of emphasizing community needs in the budget particularly issues of women empowerment”, he said.
Dickson added that, he was moved by the affection shown to him by the chiefs, women and youths in the communities, saying he realized more than ever that these categories of Bayelsans mattered even more to government that they needed to be assisted to overcome the challenge of poverty and live a better life.
He narrated how he was touched when he got to some communities and women put their wrappers down on the road, one after the other, over 6 to 7 hundred meters up to the podium for him to step on as their own kind of red carpet.
He said he found it difficult to step on these wrappers but appreciated the love behind it and the need to reciprocate their gesture through socio-economic development of their communities.
The governor said he shared their interest more than ever promising to return to them in their localities after the election to thank them and begin work on proper policy framework to cater for the development of these areas to spread facilities that can enhance the people’s welfare and happiness.
“As a countryman I will go back to my country people. That is what this job entails, not flying about in expensively-rented choppers. What I know is that I am in this business to serve and for me even life itself is for service to humanity, our society and God. And like I say time and time again, he who serveth God well serveth man well but we know as humans we are not perfect. I am the first to admit that I am a bundle of imperfection but I am very passionate about Issues I believe in. I am a man of conviction that does not go with the wind, and I believe that I have a clear vision as to where to take this state.
“I believe that in the next four years we will all have a better story to tell. I believe that life is about impact and that is why I am in a hurry to transform our society and the state. Any opportunity we have should be used to impact positively. I try to be fair to everybody, to do what is right and believe is good”.