Our prosperity and pending famine in Bayelsa state – By Hon Ofoni WILLIAMS

The Bible undoubtedly and unequivocally is the most comprehensive book in the universe for centuries and medicine to all issues. Hon Ofoni D WILLIAMS (Pinaoge series 19071988)

The above illusion is yet to be faulted as the Bible as account of all happenings known to mankind and yet to come events.

However, in line to the title of the write up ( our prosperity and pending famine in Bayelsa state) famine is copiously recorded in the holy book “Bible “, see the following reference..Amos 8 verse 11, 2nd kings 6 verse 25, Genesis 47 verse 13 etc.

From the references it goes to say that famine is not a strange phenomenon to mankind that bears far reaching implications .

In a nutshell famine implies the lack or absence of basic necessities for life and human sustainability or existence.

On the account of the Bible, there are two major kind of famine known or recorded.

The spiritual and physical as noted in Amos 8 verse 11, and 2nd kings 6 verse 25, Genesis 47 verse 13 respectively.

These verses are reproduced for better understanding and clarity.

Amos 8 verse 11…Behold, the days come, saith the lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.

2nd kings 6v 25 noted thus..And there was a great famine in Samaria; and, behold, they besieged it until an ass’ head was sold four score pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver.

Genesis 47v13 noted equally, And there was no bread in all the land, for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and the land of canaan fainted by reason of the famine.

As recorded in Amos 8 v11, which talked of spirituality of famine. Come to think of the above. It never indicate the absence of churches and too a few Pastors or men of God.

However, it’s a pointer that the word of God had been relegated to the back roll and it impaction is near zero in society.

Presenting a situation that there are no prophets in the land, that can speak truth to power.

Unfortunately to note that, Bayelsa state has been largely host to prominent men of God so often, our bill boards on strategy junctions in the state capital signpost same. Yet the word of God had no place in the state so to say.

Hence, mismanagement of the common wealth of the people are not ruled out via poor opportunity cost analyses .

While both Genesis 47v13 and 2nd kings 6v25 makes reference to physical Hunger.

Bayelsans are passing through difficult times, irrespective of the global economy phenomenon.

Ordinarily, the state ought to be exempted from Hunger and drought of basic necessities of life. Be it water, Light, Housing, poor health facilities and bedridden Educational systems etc.

With the development at hand and situation Bayelsans found themselves. Undoubtedly, we are just few meters away from officially declaring famine.

This is Visa Vise the volume of Resources in the state, even with her monthly allocations.

Both spiritual and physical famine steers us directly on our faces. As both are symptomatic already in place.

The spiritual famine implies and has to do with the spiritual content of the people (Bayelsans) in relation to sin and wickedness that is a common phenomenon in every fronts, ( Judges 6 v1 to 4).

Biblical account of the place of sin and wickedness in relation to famine…primitive accumulation of the common wealth of the people unjustly or in a situation were a girl’s these days get pregnant and thereafter sells the babies

In the same vein, were a girl’s had to sleep a dog to excel in prostitution or the place of Yahooism and it far reaching implications on society.

All these are notable sins and act of wickedness for God to visit the people, land with famine, plague or hardship.

Or else, how shall one explain the absence of potable drinking water in the length and breadth of Bayelsa state, even with budget provisions year in year out cum water every where.

To the extent that the state is 70 to 85 percent water and just one meter above sea level.

Bayelsa state is the richest state in Nigeria federation in terms of water availability but non to drink.

Hence Bayelsans are deliberately subjected to water borne diseases and dehydration for lack of potable drinking water for citizenry.

The above development affects the resources of individuals, outside instituting pains and psychology trauma on Bayelsans in no small measure.

Similarly, it’s difficult to fathom why Bayelsa state depends on neighbouring states for food sustainace.

But Bayelsa state failed to imbibe positive attributes from sister states in the sphere to improving the welfare of her citizens, such as acquiring land and allocating same to youths with grant, improved seedlings.

Cross state witness the above suggestions in the days of Prof Ben Ayade as Governor in Cross River state.

Rather than the above notable approach. Bayelsa state government had granted work holiday weekly to her work force that is largely misplaced and with no atom of value on food production for sustainace

Well, it’s traced to issue of lack of cultivation and laziness of both individuals and government.

Infact , there is no justification of the yearly budgetary provisions in this regard that runs into billions of naira ( capital expenditure on agriculture budgets , four years reads 2021 to 2024 ….51.2 billion Naira) the agricultural value chain had not witness any impact from the yearly budget.

Upon the above, there is no grain of Rice traceable to meet our demand. This atest to the high cost of food items among others in Bayelsa state ( the Bible noted it thus in 2nd kings 6v25.

Other causes of famine includes insecurity, conflict, natural disasters, war etc. The cases of Sudan, Ethiopia, Mali, Chad, Haiti etc are notable instances some time past and present.

Day in Day out, Bayelsans are feeling the impact of famine just few meters away. As mismanagement, inappropriate plans increased and misplaced.

The latest is the relatively uneducated acquisition of air buses or planes for the state.

Our Governor Senator Duoye Diri is said to have procured planes that seems to be an home video of a sort or dramatic in nature for obvious reasons.

The rumour mill holds that Senator Duoye Diri was arrested with huge sums of money outside the shores of Nigeria.

However, there is yet to be official statement from Nigeria security architecture.

In the same vein, Senator Duoye Diri was equally seen in the federal capital of Nigeria (Abuja)

Be that it may be, the procurement seems to bear short falls or negate standard financial practices, regulations in managing public or common wealth of the state and people.

The procurement lacks budget backing, as all budgets of Senator Duoye Diri had not indicated same.

Upon that there is no supplementary budget to that effect. But there seems to be an executive council resolution on the said procurement.

The above had compounded the procurement of the said planes that are yet to be seen or hosted by the land of Bayelsa state.

It’s shocking that executive council of Bayelsa state now supersede the place of budget.

Secondly, how on earth can an executive council approves monies not budgeted for or vehement.

In the same vein, legal minds constitute the state executive council of Bayelsa state. This in itself speaks volumes of the government of the day.

In addition of the above views and reasonings. Why is it the place of the head of government to procure planes. While relevant ministries with commissioners thus exist.

Our commissioners might have assumed the place of mere house keepers?

If the narrative is any thing to hold onto. The issues raised gives credence to the rumour mill that our Governor was cut with huge sums of money outside the shores of Nigeria.

Another school of taught holds that the procurement of the said planes for the state is an after taught and escapism route to the above procurement.

Head or tail, it’s certain that the said procurement fall short of need assessment. As a vital and seasoned tool in the management of public funds, elicitates opportunity for participatory governance by the citizens.

In all of these likely volcanic political somersault. Bayelsa state is without transportation policy known to her citizens.

In climes where democracy is said to be practice and in place. This development and narrative is an impeccable offence. It must have offended the sensibilities of Bayelsans with sound minds.

However, am not advocating or suggesting the above for obvious reasons.

Because of the Bayelsa state experience in the past, remains a sad commentary that had refused to heel in the political palace and space.

The bruises and scars are reoccurring decimal and reminder enshrined in citizenry minds and brains.

This had affected the development of the state in no small measure .

In certain quarters, it’s said that my constituency must have smiled home. Well, that is not to my knowledge. I must confess.

While CSO’s, seems asleep, INC, IYC, MOSIEN had lost her voices on the subject matter.

It’s important to note that the above bodies mentioned are defenders of citizenry of Bayelsa state and beyond. Their voices have reassuring value in society.

In any circumstances and in certain quarters, Bayelsans had expected the twins problem of absence of potable drinking water and energy to have been addressed.

Interestingly, over 70 to 85 percent of Bayelsans and alike hold the above view ( money spent for air buses suddenly)

In similar sphere, Bayelsans holds alternatively that fishing trawlers is even preferred to planes.

If the government is in an hurry to demonstrate the drive for investment because the planes impaction is relatively low when compared with either the place of water and light on one hand or fishing trawlers .

Am not stylishly asking for our fishing trawlers while Chief Timpre Sylva reigned as Governor of Bayelsa state.

Be that it may be, both water and light or fishing trawlers had better impactation and multiplier effect on people of Bayelsa state.

In relation to galvanising, engineering production, creating employment opportunities, meeting protein content in the state, increased IGR etc

The above is precipitated on the fact that even with make shift agreement or arrangement under took to ensure the services of air buses or planes with sister states.

The state is unable to sustain the idea because there is nothing actually attractive for movement of persons into the state.

Outside her citizens ( no light but darkness, no potable drinking water but water everywhere, no housing )etc.

But we are subjected to unending stories of seeking or wooing foreign investors, in empty voyage and waste of state resources , misplaced, mismanagement of the common wealth of the people.

Because, would be investors shall certainly look at for favourable investment climate which Bayelsa state lacks and air buses or planes is not near llikely an alternative or incentive .

It’s recalled that similar investment in the days of the pdp restoration government led by Senator Dickson Seriake (Bayelsa state investment cooperation) with take of capital of ten billion naira according to Senator Dickson Seriake is yet to impact the state and Bayelsans positively seven years after.

As the earnings of the said investment without known address in the state is yet to be reflected on the so called transparency briefings , for even make believe.

Our brother ,Engr Udengs Eradiri shall give an helping hand to give account as an eye witness of the said investment event far away South Africa.

Where two seating President of Nigeria and host country was ably and duely represented.

On the side of Nigeria, our famous Prof Ngozi Okonjo Iweala then minister of finance represent Dr Goodluck Jonathan ( former president of the federal Republic of Nigeria) while South Africa was represented by a senior government official in the rank of minister.

Therefore, Bayelsans home and abroad seems unsettled with this latest development. More particularly, the transaction bridged law and symptomatic bear the attributes of fraud.

We are already alarmed earlier, at tail end of PMB tenure as per our national carrier wahala that is now in the fore walls of anti craft agencies.

In the light of the above, it’s expected of Senator Duoye Diri led prosperity government not to wear bold face but display the particulars of the said Air buses acquired for the state without delay.

The request is line with participatory governance and spirit of transparency.

Secondly, the said Air buses or planes are not customized but are picked in plane chop or pool.

Moreso, it gives Bayelsans the opportunity to have first hand knowledge of the state of our planes said to be procured by Senator Duoye Diri led government in Bayelsa state.

At this juncture, it’s important to state that the difficult times and economy threshold of events (famine) is not without significant.

Firstly, it gives us all collective punishment. Dove tailing to give us opportunity on the platform of a wake up call.
Open doors and windows for government to wear her thinking cap or possibly rejig her programme and policies in a manner of progressive management of our common wealth etc.

In the spirit of participatory governance and call for all hands to be on deck.

In other to move the state forward, it’s suggestively suggested that Senator Duoye Diri led government should do the needful after need assessment of the people desires or needs.

All over the globe, learning and development are signpost from known to unknown.

In the sphere and space of development it’s from existing potentials to acquired potentials.

Hence, development is not impossitory and must be human centred. Hopefully, Bayelsa state is not exempted from this known norm.

However, this article surprisingly might be dismissed and author urged to contest for governorship, as it was the case and time past of the restoration government led by Senator Dickson Seriake.

The merits of this write up apart from eliciting participatory governance, call for proactive ness of the drivers, prudence in the management of our common wealth, prayed for transparency and to avoid asking questions in the near future such as who owns Okada Air, Peace Air, Pioneer Air , Arik Air lines.

On a final note, let us (BAYELSANS) not poorly struggle to defend the indefensible on party lines. Because FAMINE does not recognize party, colour, clan, etc..

Hon Ofoni WILLIAMS ( Founding Father..Bayelsa state)

 

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