His Excellency, Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West at the National Assembly, has stressed the importance of unity among the diverse South-South states.
Senator Dickson made this call during the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on Constitutional Amendment in Ikot Ekpene, in Akwa Ibom where he chaired the session as Chairman of the South-South Senate Caucus.
The former Bayelsa State Governor, was in attendance as a member representing Bayelsa State, at the event undertaken by the 10th Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment, where he was asked by the Senate leadership to chair the session, being the Chairman of the South-South Caucus of the Senate.
In his remarks, expressed appreciation to the Senate President, “For finding time to be present at the event and delivering a unifying speech. Additionally, I thanked all the various representatives, traditional rulers, and groups that were present.
“I reiterated in my remarks what I have always said — that, firstly, the South-South needs to come together and adopt a unified position, and that the multiplicity of nationalities, cultures, and languages in our zone should not be a disadvantage, but should be harnessed for the common good”, he said.
He further said, “I told them how our past leaders started a tradition of coming together in our zone to defy cultural and linguistic differences. They did this since pre-independence.
“I spoke of the legacies of Dappa-Biriye, Udo Udoma, Arikpo, Eyo Ita, Mariere, Osadebe, Okilo, Isong, Wayas, Obi Wali, Dafinone, Zuofa, Esuene, Ogbemudia, Diete-Spiff, and several others, and more recently, Pa Edwin Clark, who continued that tradition by setting up PANDEF
“I recalled the contributions of all our pioneer governors and National Assembly legislators since 1999 — Their Excellencies Obong Attah, Odili, the late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, Chief James Ibori, Donald Duke, Lucky Igbinedion, and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who came together to champion issues that affect us, from resource control to environmental degradation, among others”.
Dickson also enjoined the current set of governors to continue this tradition, and do more, assuring the Senate President that the Zonal Caucus will continue to support and work with him to do all that is in the interest of the zone.
“As he knows, he and I have not agreed, and may not agree on everything, but we have worked together on many issues affecting our people. I spoke about our common work on the Tax Reform Bills, which I was one of the most strenuous supporters of.
“I also highlighted the efforts we made on the establishment of the South-South Development Bill, even though, I must say that when it came to appointments and other decisions, I was not involved, being an opposition leader.
“That, notwithstanding, I and the Zonal Caucus, alongside our colleagues in the House of Representatives will work with him to ensure that the historic injustices, imbalances, and inequities are addressed, not just for the South-South people, but for the country.
Expectedly, Dickson also discussed Bayelsa’s case, saying, “My full support and that of the Bayelsa Caucus, for redressing the inequity in Bayelsa state regarding the number of Local Governments.
“We cannot be the only state in the country with only eight Local Government Areas, while we have a landmass that is four times and more than that of some other states.
“The Bayelsa Caucus — my colleagues, stepped out with me to make the oral presentation. I have spoken with the Governor and asked him to consult with critical stakeholders in the state to harmonize our position on the establishment of Local Government Areas and forward the same soonest.
“The advice I gave everyone is this: I do not believe in shifting or changing ancient landmarks. Leadership must build on the foundations we have inherited. It is not everything we change just because we are in a position to do so. Societies do not work that way.
“That was why, as Governor, critical decisions about the state, such as reforms of traditional institutions, civil service reform, employment and recruitment, security decisions, scholarships, Ijaw nationalism, the anthem, flag, coat of arms, etc., were not politicized. Decisions were taken in the interest of all, after extensive consultations.
“I therefore request respect for the pioneering work undertaken by our former governors, D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha and President Jonathan, on the establishment of Local Governments and RDAs, with minimum adjustments only in exceptional cases.
“For Bayelsa West, let me be clear: I will not support any change to the detriment of any community. I have advised that consultations be concluded quickly to enable me lead the Caucus in pushing for recognition, to ensure our state benefits maximally, as it should”, he said.
Dickson diligently presided over the public hearing of all the petitions on state and local government creation, gender issues, electoral reform matters, among others.
Hisbwords: “We ensured that all the petitions were heard, and we listened to all those who were present to make their submissions. Nationally, there have seen complaints that notice for the hearings were inadequate, but the turnout was impressive in the South-South, and I thanked everyone.
“I have also asked the Secretariat to receive memos from anyone who came after the hearings, and compile these for our perusal and onward processing to the main Committee on Constitutional Amendment, chaired by His Excellency, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, CFR.
“I will be inviting the INC to lead a delegation to interact with us in order to streamline and adopt common positions. I have also asked the Governor to lead the charge.
“These were the most important considerations on my mind when I endorsed him — projecting and defending the Ijaw national interest, not only in Bayelsa, but across the Niger Delta, where our people reside and are suffering untold hardship, from Arogbo in Ondo State to Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State.
“He is a product of the Ijaw movement; he understands these issues, and we trust he will do the needful, while we all give our support”, the law maker said.
He also said that presiding over the public hearing and listening to the presentations for and against various proposals, “I saw again, firsthand, that the issues and challenges confronting the Ijaw nation have not abated, but have rather increased.
“I look forward to a quick resolution and harmonization, to enable me and my colleagues build on the consultations we have already started”, he said.
