The Governor of Bayelsa State,
Seriake Dickson on Tuesday stated that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF’s
decision to grant federal government permission to utilize $1 billion from the
Excess Crude Account for security was taken in good faith.
Dickson said this after he met
the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the heels of the controversy surrounding
the approval given during the last National Economic Council, NEC, meeting.
The Governor said the decision
was not a political one but meant to strengthen the country’s security
apparatus.
He told State House
correspondents, “It was a decision taken in good faith to support our security
services, to strengthen our national security and enhance operations in the
interest of everybody else.
“This is not a political issue
and I thought that I should say that, but the details of what we would do and
say and the clarifications will come at the end of the meeting of the
governors.
“There is a lot of unnecessary
controversy out there in the media. After the meeting this afternoon our
chairman and some of us may have to talk to the media, may have the need to interact
with the President and the Vice President on it.
“These are issues of national
security and I think that we leaders must be circumspect in terms of creating
controversies on issues of national security.
“Our duty is to collaborate
amongst ourselves, collaborate with the federal government on two critical
issues of national security and issues of the economy, and that is what the NEC
does.’’
On why he was at the Presidential
Villa, Dickson stated that he came to consult the Vice President, adding that
the governors were also consulting to deal with the issues.
On the recent assassinations and
rise in crime in Bayelsa, the governor stated that increase in crime was a
national phenomenon during the period of festivities.
“It is a national phenomenon
especially at this time of the year; Bayelsa has been known for stability and
peace in the last six years.
“That’s one area we have expended
a lot of energy and resources and so we are concerned if there is any incident
of criminal conduct not to talk of two, three, four or five.
“It is still within control but
we are bothered about it. And we are working together and supporting the
security forces, mobilizing the citizens of the state and activating our structures
and systems to ensure that we regain control of the security situation.
“So I assure all of you, I assure
the country that Bayelsa is safe and stable.
“Security forces and community
leaders are working together and there is a government that understands the
role and the place of security which I lead.
“So, no cause for alarm, things
are okay,’’ he said.
Dickson said he came to have
discussion with the Osinbajo on issues of national interest and concern but
which he was not in a position to divulge the details.
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Leaders who will sell his people and resources for a crumb of thier own resources as long as they are the only bug men.
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