Governor Serikae Dickson's monthly briefings on the state of the finances of Bayelsa State is an unusual sign of hope for those inclined towards transparency.
.
When Governor Seriake Dickson promised at his inauguration on February 14, 2012 to give a monthly account of the administration's income and expenditure many believed it was cheap talk.
.
However, when he not too long later forwarded a bill to the State House of Assembly to make it an impeachable offence not to give the account, many began to take him even more seriously.
.
Indeed under the law passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly last year the failure by the governor to render the account of the state's finances in two months is an impeachable offence.
.
Indeed, for the first time in the history of the state, Bayelsans are told the state's monthly income and expenditure at monthly briefings styled as Transparency Briefing.
.
Dickson, whose election was seen as a coronation by his opponents due to the alleged influence of President Goodluck Jonathan in ensuring his smooth ride to the 'Creek Haven' has surprised those who believed he was an imposition and does not have the quality to pull the state out of the woods.
.
Fondly called the 'Countryman Governor', his zero tolerance campaign on corruption and decision to entrench due process in the use of public funds has not only earned him the sobriquet "super glue" but also earned him popular confidence.
.
The civil society organisations have been impressed by his cautious and purposeful approach to governance and have lauded what they term the most pragmatic innovations in governance culture of the state which is pursuant to the promises made by the governor during his electioneering campaign to initiate the Bayelsa State Income and Expenditure Transparency Bill along with the Bayelsa State Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) Bill.