Why Is Governor Diri’s Official Portrait Missing In Bayelsa’s Government Offices
By
Amos Okioma
LAGOS MAY 5TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Senator Douye Diri was sworn in as governor of Bayelsa state
paripasu with Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as his deputy governor after the supreme court had nullified the
election of the APC governor elect , David Lyon who received the information
while rehearsing at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Ovom – Yenagoa, due
to incongruities found in the name and certificates of his deputy
governor, senator Biobarakumo Eremienyo –
Degi.
Over two months after Governor Douye Diri was affirmed by the supreme
court and asserted that he is a miracle governor being the 5th executive
governor of Bayelsa state his official
portrait has not been conspicuously seen inside ministries , MDAs
and corporate organizations offices , but it has become a source of brisk
business to photographers and super stores.
Douye Diri is the first governor to
operate without commissioners for three months, including information
commissioner whose duties include the production and distribution of official
portrait of the governor albeit the chief of staff.
Investigations carried out revealed that offices of most corporate
organizations, ministries and MDAs and Federal agencies are still without the
official portrait of the state governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Most
of these offices only hang the official portrait of President Mohamadu Buhari and
the Bayelsa state coat of arms to the utter neglect of the miracle
governor, senator Douye Diri,s own.
While the official portraits of the former Governor Seriake Dickson are allowed
to be covered with dust and dirt
Since nature abhors vaccum, Permanent secretaries and head of departments or
most senior staff now hold sway in some of these ministries and MDAs,
pending when commissioners whose numbers has been reduced from 35 to 22 by the
incumbent governor in a recent major cabinet down sizing aims at avoiding
duplication of functions will be sworn -in in three months time.
One of the permanent secretaries , though a politician that was politically
elevated told our reporter that ” we were warned by the Head of Service (
HOS ) not to interface with journalists. The Permanent Secretary who pleaded
anonymity said the absence of the governor’s
portrait was not his priority, but how to manage the ministry is his major
concern as he is transiting to the office of permanent secretary, adding that anytime it was supplied it will be
hung conspicuously.
“For
now am comfortable with the Bayelsa state coat of arms and president Mohamadu
Buhari,s portrait, as you can see once l have no file to treat, l peruse
through the civil service document anything l do not understand l seek
clarifications from HOS,” he said.
Whereas some career permanent secretaries see the absence of commissioners as
blessing in disguise having operated
under the former governor who denied them their entitlements and usual
glamour at this interlude is their time expressed their gratefulness and
appreciation inward to Governor Douye Diri for this gesture
of delaying the appointment of commissioners for three months.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri’s official portrait
has become a veritable source of brisk business and prosperity to businessmen, photographers
and street hawkers in Bayelsa state.
One of them who simply identifies himself as Tolue Afeem told our
reporter that the price of an average portrait of the governor varies and
depends on who needs it and the quantity, adding that it goes for fifteen thousand ( #15,000 )
He pointed to four packaged governor’s portrait that were ready to be
supplied to clients. Brandishing his company’s receipt booklet, he said
prices are based on relationship and quantities, adding that he
sells for #10,000 and he supplied some on credit.
“My
brother, until commissioner of Information and Orientation will be appointed
for the next three months, we will continue to smile to the banks” he
enthused .
At popular NNPC junction, along Sani Abacha Expressway , near RCCG Chapel of
Praise, it goes for fifteen thousand Naira ( #15,000) only.
He however posited that the price is not fix as he can’t sell at the same price
to state ministries and corporate bodies such as Shell Petroleum
Development Company (SPDC) , Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC ) and other International
Oil Companies( IOCs.)
At one of the business centres located at Ayawei,s plaza, at Amarata the
governor,s portrait is being mass produced with more customers placing orders.
Apart from the Chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, Secretary to state
government , Acting chief press secretary and some “technical
advisers” a nomenclature used to introduce some appointees of the former
governor who are lobbying to be retained, the governor is running the state in
solo for now as these principal appointees are complacent without the portrait
of the governor , president and state coat of arms hung in their respective
offices only.
Our investigations also revealed that in most corporate offices , neither the
portrait of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohamadu Buhari
nor the Bayelsa state coat of arms are hung.
Short URL: https://newsrangers.com/?p=48670
Posted by News Rangers
on May 5 2020. Filed under Features, National.
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