Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has appointed a former militant leader, Africanus Ukparasia aka as General Africa, as the local government caretaker of Southern Ijaw local government council. He replaces Mr Kia Nigeria who was recently sworn-in as commissioner.
General Africa was one of the militant leaders who embraced the Federal government’s amnesty programme in 2008 and later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) before his defection to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after he fell out with former Governor Timipre Sylva.
General Africa’s name was submitted to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly alongside Mr. Sunny Erewari (Nembe) and Hon. Ebinyon Turner (Ogbia), who served as the vice chairman of the council. Others were Mr. Tolumoye Ibani Bikikoro (Kolokuma/Opokuma) and Austin Sambo (Yenagoa).
The trio of Hon. Magbisa Micheal (Sagbama), Hon. Tolu Amatu (Ekeremor) and Hon. Victor Isiah (Brass) however, retained their positions.
The House of Assembly during its plenary, urged the new council bosses to remain committed to the ideas of the Dickson administration’s especially in the provision of dividends of democracy for the rural areas.
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kombowei Benson, while clearing the appointment of the caretaker committee chairmen, enjoined them to be alive to their duties and also to remain in their council headquarters at all times for easy accessibility by the people in order to deliver the dividends of democracy.