The Minister of Petroleum Resources (state on oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has on Monday extolled the sterling leadership qualities of the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial district, Senator Seriake Dickson.
Senator Lokpobiri, who sued for unity among the district’s leadership for needed developments, made the statement when Sen. Dickson led a high powered delegation of Bayelsa West stakeholders, across party line, on courtesy to his Abuja office.The minister expressed gratitude for the honour, saying the visit was first of its kind by his kinsmen since he was appointed eleven months ago.
“I want to express my gratitude to Senator Seriake Dickson for this commendable initiative. This courtesy visit is significant, because since my eleven months in office, it is the first time that my people from Bayelsa West will formally come to visit me.
“Being the Senator representing my senatorial district, whenever i needed an assistance for my ministry you are the first person that i usually run to. And you have always been there for me. Thank you for your continued supports”, the minister said.
“I want to also express my gratitude to our leaders for making it here. What is most important for me is Senator Dickson recognizing and commending Mr. President Bola Tinubu for appointing me, being the only Ijaw man in his cabinet.
“The leadership you have shown for sustaining this stakeholders forum for our people across party line is commendable. One thing is to have a group as this and it is another challenge entirely to sustain it. That also goes to show your leadership qualities.
“We in Sagbama used to dictate the space with bulk votes in the old Rivers State. That earned us a place among Ikwerre people that christened an area known today as Sagbama in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“I suggest we go back to the unity that our leaders then embraced that ensured such votes from Sagbama. We can’t be divided and expect to enjoy the bulk votes that was prevalent then.
“I urge you to keep this forum together, whatever it takes, so we can control the politics of Bayelsa. Becsuse if we remain united and focused there is absolutely nothing we cannot achieve”, he said.
He also encouraged members of the forum, to continue supporting Sen. Dickson, “To enable him continue doing his good job in the Senate and for our people .
“We are proud to have him as our representative beause he is representing us well. When you see your senator on the floor speaking, you will feel happy. There were Senators who spent eight years in National Assembly without speaking on the floor of the Senate or contributing to any issue.
“Thank you, Senator Seriake Dickson, for mobilizing this large number of eminent Bayelsa West leaders on this courtesy visit. I look forward to seeing more of this crop of leadership, so that we would be relating and have much more to do together.
Earlier Sen. Dickson in his remarks had said the visit was for the leadership of the minister’s senatorial district to convey their warm gratitude to President Tinubu for finding one of their own worthy of a ministerial office.
“Today, your people are here on a visit that has a lot of dimensions: courtesy and congratulatory. You already know these leaders. Let me on their behalf, express our gratitude for receiving us on short notice.
“You recall that last week when you visited me, we had discussions on behalf of our people. I also mentioned that it was important for the leadership of the senatorial district to be notified; for them to have the opportunity to be here.
“I had initially opted for about three people to accompany me here, but when the information got to them, they opted to come in their numbers. We are glad to be here, as you are the first Minister of Petroleum to be so appointed from Bayelsa West. And to also commend you for the changes and achievements that you have led this ministry to achieve.
“Together, on behalf of our people we congratulate you on your Well deserved appointment, and as you have been in office for almost a year nownd to also commend you for the great jobs you are udertaking, as a federal minister of the republic.
“We also know how you and your colleagues are managing, and overseeing this critical ministry in our nation in this very trying times of our country. Within this period Nigerians are aware of the giant strides that you and your colleagues have taken.
“We are aware also that with the efforts you are making with your team, productions are up despite very difficult circumstances. We are also aware that you are about to put in place a system that will promote transparency in productions and sales.
“I also read about your proposal that the president has approved that will curb gas flare in the Niger Delta.We are proud of these achievements.
“We are here to also appreciate and commend Mr. President, for seeing in you, a real and proper person that you are, to be given this responsibility. And to tell Mr. President that as you work to meet his expectations you are not alone. That all our leaders in Bayelsa West, across the state the entire Niger Delta are with you.
“You are from a place, you know our needs and you know what steps to be taken in all dimensions; either in terms of employment, empowerment or in the area of age-long environmental degradation. As we are giving supports to you from the home front, we also call for supports from all concerned to enable you succeed”, he said.
Dickson also stressed that Bayelsa West stakeholders forum is bi-partisan and called on the minister to continue to identify with them as they seek to strengthen and build a harmonious and great Bayelsa, a strong Niger Delta and a strong nation.
