BAYELSA State Governor, Douye Diri, has sworn in additional 15 commissioners bringing the total number of members of his cabinet to 29. The governor also created two new ministries, which are Blue Economy and that of Special Duties (General Services), which is in charge of non-indigene affairs. The governor had on April 29, sworn in 14 commissioners in the first batch.
Diri also re-assigned the Commissioner for Special Duties (East), Preye Brodrick, to the Ministry of Transport while Mr. Mandy Akpalo was assigned the Ministry of Special Duties (Central). Also, Hon Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, who was earlier assigned to Labour, Employment and Productivity portfolio, is now the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation while Chief Saturday Omiloli is to oversee the Labour Ministry.
Hon. Alfred Belemote was assigned to the Ministry of Community Development, Chief Thompson Amule retained his portfolio as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, while Mr. Alla John is to man the Ministry of Tourism Development. Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe takes charge of the Ministry of Health, Hon. Ebi Ben Ololo (Environment), Hon. Alalibo West (Special Duties – East), Hon. Gibson Munalayefa (Communications, Science and Technology), Godspower Keku (Culture) and Chief Godspower Oporomo (Ijaw National Affairs). Prof. Beke Sese was assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alfred Nimizigha (Youth Development), Dr. Faith Zibs (Blue Economy) and Mazi Onuma Johnson (Special Duties – General Services). Diri explained that the Blue Economy Ministry was created to enable the state keys into the Federal Government’s development of the country’s blue economy.
”The wealth of the state lies in the Atlantic Ocean. Beyond oil and gas, Bayelsa is rich in its maritime environment and more emphasis will be placed on the development of its blue economy. “That is why we have taken it upon ourselves to construct the three senatorial roads from Yenagoa Ukubie, Nembe-Brass and Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge, which lead to the Atlantic Ocean on the three flanks of the state,” he said.
