Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Peter Akpe, has charged political appointees in the state to deliver services rather than engage in any form of internal wrangle that would affect the performance of the administration.
Akpe gave the charge during a stakeholders’ forum which took place in his office at the Government House in Yenagoa on Wednesday. The stakeholders forum was attended by council chairmen, legislative members, political secretaries and supervisory councillors from the eight local government areas in the state
Akpe explained that political appointments should not be ends in themselves, but a means of showing how the appointees can lead and deliver services.
Akpe further charged the stakeholders to collaborate with their individual council chairmen without any form of disagreement that would affect the administration of their councils. He added that they should take their complaints to the right quarters rather than allow personal differences to affect governance.
Akpe further warned political appointees of the need to avoid working towards different interests, as this might lead to the weakening of the entire administration. He urged the need for unity, cooperation, and loyalty among the members of the local government leadership structure.
The Deputy Governor noted that the performance of the political appointees in the grassroots areas will play a key role in terms of their getting additional assignments in the future. Thus, he asked them to be accountable in their work and ensure that there is something left for others to see.
Additionally, he urged the Council members to increase their footprint in their areas of jurisdiction through interacting with the people and attending to their grievances. According to him, the ability to make sure that the people benefit from real development will determine the extent of popularity they will have in the future.
He tied the process of mobilisation of people in grassroots areas with the 2027 General Elections, asking the politicians to work towards getting real support of the people in their respective Polling Units.
He implored them to see the upcoming elections as a joint effort and help boost the political power of the administration through voter mobilisation.
The deputy governor further instructed the local government administrators to mobilise residents for the celebration of Bayelsa State’s 30th anniversary, which is titled “Bayelsa at 30”. He tasked them to sensitise the residents and motivate their active involvement in the commemoration of the state’s 30 years in existence.
