BAYELSA SATE GOVERNOR IN QUESTIONABLE USD14.1MILLION FISHERY PROJECT.......
Gov. Seriake Dickson today shocked his listeners when he admitted to making payments to two foreign firms for a project that he said were still being negotiated.
The governor's response to a question by a reporter on the value of the contract raised eyebrows.
Dickson, who presented payment instruments for 80 per cent of the contract, had declined to mention the contract value but merely said that the government was making a 30 per cent and 50 per cent payment to the two contractors.
Curiously the heavily-indebted state is still servicing a commercial agricultural loan and sundry bond obligations undertaken by his predecessor, Gov. Timprie Sylva.
Responding to the question on the contract sum denominated in dollars, Dickson committed blunders as he said that he was still looking at the figures with a view to arriving at the final figures.
In a lengthy and convoluted explanation, the governor failed to give reasons for making such a princely upfront payment for a contract that is still being negotiated.
Bayelsa governors are notorious for using projects to siphon public funds, then abandoning them.  President Goodluck Jonathan, for instance, commenced a multi-billion hotel project in Yenagoa that is still in the “abandoned” category.
Silva also awarded many phantom projects across sectors where contractors got upfront payments and simply abandoned the site.

YOUTHS ARE BIGGER FRAUDSTERS THAN POLITICAL LEADERS.....

Centenary Committee.

The Centenary committee has raised the alarm over the level of corrupt practices in the country.

The committee, which was commissioned by the Federal Government and is saddled with the task of organising activities to mark the 100th anniversary of the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorates, said its interaction with the youths on the social media had confirmed that some Nigerians are more fraudulent than the political leadership they often accuse of corruption.

It made this statement on Facebook, in reaction to an allegation that some of those participating in its various competitions on the social networking site had committed plagiarism.

In one of the contests themed 'Thank God it's Centenary', participants competing for prizes, ranging from laptop computers and ipads to branded plaques, may be given an official invitation to attend dozens of events scheduled for the celebrations.

Worried by the alleged plagiarism, the committee remarked on its Facebook page that it was a "huge embarrassment'' to the FG that some Nigerians are more "fraudulent than the ones you accuse."

It lamented that the purpose of the interaction with Nigerians on the social media, especially the youths, which was to raise role models against the backdrop of alleged corrupt practices among government officials, was being defeated.

It said, "First, we wish to remind you that this platform was set up in response to the cries of Nigerian youths for recognition by the government. This is why most of our programmes are focused on the youths.

"Secondly, you have been pointing accusing fingers at government officials for corruption and fraudulent practices. As a result of this, we decided to engage the youths on this platform so that they will be of good behaviour and become proper role models in our society.

"It is therefore a huge embarrassment to you the youths, to us the Centenary team and to the government and people, as you have demonstrated, to be even more fraudulent than the ones you accuse."

The committee noted that those who indulged in fraudulent acts on its Facebook wall had done  a great disservice to the group, especially its social media team, which had "been working round the clock to ensure that young Nigerians have a platform they can boast of.''

It added that members of the committee had "given up private time with family and friends" to ensure that it meets some of the dreams and aspirations of the youths, in commemoration of the centenary celebration of the country.

A statement on the group's Facebook page said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, who coordinates the centenary celebrations, had shown enormous  commitment to the activities of the committee on social media.

"He (Anyim) has rewarded you (youths) accordingly, to the point of cancelling his official engagements just to meet with you,'' the statement added.

The group said it had floated a social media disciplinary board in order to check fraudulent activities in the competitions, which are aimed at rewarding Nigerians for displaying mastery and understanding of "societal needs and current issues" affecting the country.

It said the board was set up to "ensure that the primary objectives for setting up this platform are achieved."

"This platform will continue to give Nigerians, especially the youths, the opportunity to be recognised and to be the change they desire for the country, as well as an opportunity to rebuild our dear country Nigeria,'' a statement posted on the Facebook page, which boasts a following of over 43,000 people, read.

Meanwhile, some of the youths who follow the committee on the social network have disagreed with it on the development. According to them, it was wrong for it to label all Nigerians, especially the youth, as fraudsters because of the alleged  misgivings of a few.

 One Adekunle Adetayo lamented, "Why address everyone as if the minority involved in this fraudulent act sought the consent of the entire youths before perpetrating the embarrassing act? I wouldn't want to say I'm highly disappointed at the originators of this write-up for including me a youth while pointing fingers at those involved.''

Also Ojonuba Samuel-Akexstinger stated, "I'm urging and begging everybody to be conscious of what they say. Just because some of our centennial brothers made simple mistakes, shouldn't give them the right to use spiteful and insulting words on them.''

In a message posted on the wall on Tuesday, Anyim expressed the hope that those who emerge winners in the competitions will engender the "spirit of patriotism'' as they strive to actualise their dreams as Nigerians.

He also charged them to "motivate others to dedicate themselves to similar services and continually use the platform offered by the Nigeria Centenary to exhibit collective enthusiasm for the "Nigeria of your dream."