DIRI URGES BAYELSA ELDERS COUNCIL TO REMAIN OBJECTIVE, POLITICALLY NEUTRAL

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has urged the newly inaugurated Bayelsa State Elders Council to remain objective and politically neutral in carrying out its advisory responsibilities to the state government.

Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Peter Akpe, gave the charge during the inauguration of the council’s new executive committee in Yenagoa.

The governor said the experience and knowledge of the council members placed them in a strategic position to provide independent advice on important issues affecting Bayelsa State.

He urged the elders to separate their advisory responsibilities from partisan politics and provide firm, honest, and objective counsel to the government.

Diri said the council had members with experience in areas including governance, engineering, security, traditional affairs, and other fields, which could be valuable in addressing challenges facing the state.

The governor also expressed concern over what he described as the declining involvement of Bayelsans, particularly youths, in farming, fishing, and trading.

He warned that allowing outsiders to increasingly dominate these economic activities could contribute to capital flight and weaken the state’s economic base.

Diri therefore called on the council to advise the government on measures that would encourage Bayelsans to return to productive economic activities and promote value reorientation among residents.

He also disclosed that efforts were underway to institutionalise the Elders Council through legislation, with a proposed bill on community leadership and administration currently before the State House of Assembly.

The new chairman of the council, High Chief Boma Spero-Jack, pledged that the new leadership would build on the achievements of its predecessor and provide consensus-based advice on issues affecting the state.

The council is expected to continue serving as an advisory body on governance, development, security, welfare, and other matters affecting Bayelsa and its people.