Fourth Legislative Assembly of KOLGA Inaugurated

by Okpoitari Diongoli

The 4^th Legislative Assembly of the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Council has been inaugurated.

The KOLGA Legislative Assembly has Mr. Waripamowei Surubo as Leader of the Assembly, Miss Wariegberi Kakatei as Deputy Leader. The Leader of the Assembly is the analogous position to the Speaker of the House at this tier of government. Other principal officers include Mr. Daubiri Samba as Chief Whip, Woyengipreye Waribagha as Majority Leader while Mr. Ilaye Ayawari is the Minority leader.

The Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. Ukiye Buruboyefi administered the oath of office and allegiance on the Leader of the House Mr. Surubo. Mr Surubo in turn administered the oath of office on the Deputy Leader Miss Kakatei and the nine other councillors of the wards.

Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office, the Leader promised that the House will enact bye-laws that will strengthen the Executive to move the area forward. Mr. Surubo pledged to make the council one of the best in the country and reiterated the commitment of the Councillors to the programmes and policies of the State and the local government.

Addressing the maiden session of the Legislative Assembly, the Chairman of the Council, Chief Ebikitin Diongoli espoused his vision to render quality service to the people.

House Leader Waripamowei Surubo

Miss Kakatei taking the oath of office

Councillors being sworn in

Chief Ebikitin Diongoli

KOLGA Press Corps at the Ceremony

DAY OF GLORY FOR OPOKUMA

Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa addressing the gathering

Commissioner Victoria Denenu and Commissioner Dudafa at the event

Chief Ebikitin Diongoli arriving at the event

Wellwishers celebrate the Chairman's victory

Chief Diongoli and Commissioner Dudafa appreciate some wellwishers

Press Release - Okpoitari Diongoli
-THE DAY KOLGA STOOD STILL.
It was a day of glory for Opokuma as the chiefs and people gathered in their numbers at the U.P.E. Playground of Opokuma South, to honour the newly sworn in chairman of the council Chief Ebikitin Diongoli. This is the first time an Opokuma indigene has emerged as the elected chairman of the Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Council since the creation of this Local Government Area. Colourfully dressed women groups from all the eleven wards in the area along with the live band and other traditional groups made the ceremony which took place a grand one.

Speaking at the occasion, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Waripamowei Dudafa said the policy thrust of the present administration is for the local government system to be participatory governance which will involve all stakeholders at the grassroots.

Mr Dudafa said it is imperative for chairmen of the various local government councils to operate from their headquarters to enable them appreciate the challenges and provide solutions to the critical needs of the people they are expected to serve.
The commissioner explained that as a proactive step, a legal framework is being put together by the State House of Assembly in partnership with his ministry to check the negative trend, emphasizing that any chairman who violates the law will be sanctioned appropriately.

According to Mr Dudafa, the paradigm shift is for local government administration to focus on human capacity development stating that the ministry has already issued a directive to the councils to anchor their budget for this year on education, primary health care and agriculture.He said the administration of Chief Timipre Sylva is laying emphasis on education because it is the key to attaining sustainable development adding that education will be pursued side by side with agriculture to boost the internally generated revenue base of the councils.

Also speaking the Environment Commissioner, Mrs Victoria Denenu charged the chairmen to concentrate on projects that will improve on the living standard of the people at the rural areas. Mrs Denenu, who is also an Opokuma indigene, called for total support from all stakeholders to enable the chairmen deliver on their mandate to provide meaningful development at the grassroots. She commended Mr Waripamowei Dudafa whom she described as the political leader of the area for his visionary and selfless leadership style that have place KOLGA at a vantage position in the comity of local government councils in the country.

The Amananaowei of Odi, King Shine Apere spoke in kind words about Chief Diongoli noting that as Care Taker Committee Chairman, he constructed what the king described as the most magnificent council secretariat in the south-south geo-political zone.
The king urged the chairman to sustain the tempo now that the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma have given him their sacred mandate.

Responding, the Executive Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Council, Chief Ebikitin Diongoli promised to justify the confidence reposed in him and pledged to accord priority to proper administrative structure, health, education as well as boost internally generated revenue. Chief Diongoli announced that a Kolokuma/Opokuma Investment Corporation will be established through which the local economy will be diversified to generate revenue for the council to reduce over dependence on dwindling federal allocation.

He said the council will partner with some foreign development agencies and engage in intensive agriculture as well as promote cottage industries and upgrade the existing markets to international standards like Ariara, Balogun and Alaba markets.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life including women and youth groups as well as special advisers, senior special assistants, the newly elected councillors of the eleven wards and traditional rulers from all the twenty towns in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.