'Always be Cognizance of the the Sensitive Nature of Your Work Enviroment and Apply Yourselves to Your Duties Discretely' … Gov Dickson Tells Staff

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has ordered the conduct of a need analysis exercise in Government House Yenagoa with a view to employing some suitably qualified temporary staff next year.
Governor Dickson, who spoke at an end-of-year Luncheon with Government House Staff at the Banquet Hall, Government House in Yenagoa, directed the Chief of Staff, Dame Didi Walson-Jack to facilitate the process to make their employment permanent.

According to the Governor, the move is part of the present administration’s efforts to reduce the rate of unemployment in the State as well as give the affected staff a sense of belonging and encourage them to contribute more effectively to system.

Governor Dickson, who was full of appreciation to the principal staff and entire workforce of Government House, assured them that efforts would be intensified to complete the ongoing office complex project in 2014 to ease accommodation problem and make the working environment more conducive and productive.

According to Hon. Dickson, the project when completed, will position Government house Yenagoa as one of the best in the country.

Describing the staff as result-oriented and effective, Governor Dickson acknowledged that his administration would not have been able to record its present level of achievements without the understanding, sacrifices and cooperation of the State workforce particularly those of them working in Government House.

He however urged them to take cognizance of the sensitive nature of their work environment and apply themselves to their various duties more discreetly.

“You are all working in a very sensitive environment. In some circles, they call it a security zone because if you don’t control what you say and you make yourself an “amebo” (talkative) to everybody and you don’t control your tongue, it could really put you in trouble and also put our Government in bad light. So what I’m saying is that there is need for you all to be more discreet even for those of you who are politicians.

“The difficultly in this State is that everybody is a politician. Everybody plays politics with everything. Well, it is every body’s right to be political or not to be. But as you do that, try and also respect your work environment.

On the office accommodation, he said, “You are all aware of the several buildings within Government house particularly the new office complex that is coming up very fast. That office complex when it is completed, I don’t think there will be any Government house in this country that will be better than our Governor’s office.

That again is in the spirit of doing things that stand out not only now but for a long time to come. So we are working hard to provide a conducive working environment for you all.

“I’m really impressed with all that I’ve seen you do within this short period and the change that you have been a part of. And this is our own little way of saying thank you to you and members of your families for the wonderful support and partnership that we continue to enjoy from you”.

Earlier in her remarks, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dame Didi Walson-Jack highlighted some of the achievements of the present administration to include changing the infrastructural landscape of Government House, Yenagoa with state-of-the art structures, provision of visitors and staff bus shuttle, introduction of maintenance checklist for the lodges, training of staff and improvement in Government House programmes.

Dame Walson-Jack who spoke on a wide range of issues bordering on workers welfare and efficient service delivery, expressed gratitude to the Governor, his wife, Dr. Rachel Dickson, the State Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd) and other government functionaries for providing the necessary support to enhance government house operations.

On difficulties encountered during public programmes, she proposed that “the Protocol department will carry out an enlightenment programme on Radio and Television and we could even support the publishing of a book on code of conduct at public functions”.

Also speaking, the Principal Executive Secretary, Hon. Douye Diri, the Chief Historian and Archivist, Dr Stephen Olali and the Director of Protocol, Mr. Joseph Akedesuo lauded Governor Dickson for his pragmatic leadership style, which they noted, is transforming every sphere of life in the State.

Highlight of the get-together ceremony was the presentation of a giant Christmas Hamper collectively provided by all the heads of departments in Government House led by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson.