•••GOV. DIRI SIGNS 3 BILLS INTO LAW
The Bayelsa State Executive Council, on Wednesday, at the 70th session of the executive council in Government House, Yenagoa, approved the construction of Phase One of the Nembe-Brass road in Bayelsa East, Senatorial District of the state.
The State Exco also approved a weekly jogging exercise for members to be led by the governor and his deputy every Thursday morning.
The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ayibaina Duba, while briefing newsmen after the Executive Council meeting, stated that the first phase will cover a distance of 21 kilometres with 10 bridges.
According to Duba, the Governor Douye Diri administration inherited two senatorial road projects from the previous administration adding that he will embark on the third one, which is the long-awaited road from Nembe to Brass.
“We are pleased to announce that the State Executive Council has given approval for the award of the contract for phase one of the Nembe-Brass road. It covers 21 kilometers with 10 bridges.
“The construction will start soon.The procurement board is directed to facilitate the process in a manner that there would be no delay in the award of the contract to a very competent contractor.
“Due to the amount of work required on the road, it is divided into three phases. Phase one will be from Nembe to the Saint Nicholas River.” He said
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, further explained that six of the 10 bridges have a 30-metre span each, one is 60-metre, another one is 90-metre, while two have 120-metre span each.
He stated that the ground-breaking ceremony would take place early next month.
Health Commissioner, Dr Igwele, speaking on the weekly exercise, stated that the decision is a healthy one stating that its a means of keeping fit and preventing heart-related ailments. According to him the excercise start from the Berger Junction to the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia, cautioned against aspirants for elective positions sponsoring protests to advance their interest.
He observed that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who have electoral value knows the procedure to achieve their goals rather than getting it through sponsoring of protests.
“Lately, people sponsor protests from behind the scene, to call on them to contest for political offices or protest against other aspirants.
“The governor has directed that such action should stop because it is an internal party matters and whoever is aspiring knows the procedure to follow.
“They should also be informed that there is a party disciplinary Committee already inaugurated and if it is discovered that such protests are sponsored, we will make sure that they face the disciplinary action of our party. Our party is one big united party.” He stated.
Meanwhile, Governor Diri has signed into law the Multi-Door Court Bill as well as the Customary Court of Appeal and the Customary Court Bills that were passed by the House of Assembly.
The three bills were signed in the presence of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, and other principal officers of the legislature.
The governor noted that the new laws would enhance the administration of justice in the state.
He said that the Multi-Door Court Law provides the option of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), to resolve disagreements outside the courts, which he noted have been inundated with cases.
According to the Governor, the Ijaw people have customs that have been in existence for generations but have not been documented, adding that the customary court laws would address such issues.
The Governor, who commended the House of Assembly for passing the bills, promised that the legislature and other arms of government would continue to synergise to provide good governance and development.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, said the laws would fast-track the administration of justice in the state.
He explained that the Customary Court Law was aimed at protecting the rights of widows and the girl-child among other customary issues that relate to the Ijaw people.
