BAYELSA’S ECONOMY – MOST STABLE: SURVEY SHOWS Details of the survey will be published later. The indices used include: 1. The rate of inflation vis-a-viz the national average 2. The prices of commodities i.e. provisions; foodstuffs, etc 3. Rate of consumption Vs income of Civil Servants 4. The Supply-demand differentials 5. Wastage rate index and monies prudently applied 6. Pattern of consumption and consumer behaviour The Restoration Administration has achieved so many intangible dividends. Prices of commodities are more stable in Bayelsa State than ever. The implication is that inflation rate has been checked. Nobody spends recklessly in Yenagoa. There is now value for money for everything. The privately owned Jeeps are diminishing. Some are selling them cheaply while others who cannot maintain them get them parked either on the streets or their houses. The days or corrupt self-enrichment are over. This thing is painful to those who used to live large but it is a sign that the economy is becoming stable. It demonstrates the fact that government is becoming more responsible. The Local Government level too is very responsible. Lavish and irresponsible ceremonies have been cut down to the barest minimum. Government ceremonies have been low key. The blares of those deafening sirens are nowhere to be found. The number of lavish personal parties - some unnecessary are also vanishing. Those selling essentials are doing better than those selling luxuries. We are learning for that development requires sacrifice from everybody: civil servants; political appointees; the ruling political party; students; market women and the common folks. In Malaysia, the PM and all political office holders cut their salaries by 40% to ensure more money is pumped into development projects. The same thing is happening in Greece, Italy, Belgium, and so many other countries in Africa as in other continents. Ghost workers have been weeded out and more workers have been employed in areas of critical manpower need. Salary payment system is now automated. More job opportunities will be created. Previous administrations shared money among very few people and the money did not get to the people. They did not also execute projects. This administration has decided to devote her money into projects because sharing money and doing projects cannot go on simultaneously. It is a pity that most Bayelsans are yet to appreciate the thrust of the Restoration Administration. The government is paying the heavy debt burden of the immediate past administration; allocation to the State has diminished because SPDC is not producing and AGIP is not also producing at installed capacity. So the State’s allocation from FACC has dropped. This is what people have failed to understand. Some States are borrowing to pay salaries. Another thing people might have forgotten is that there are so many projects that are going-on simultaneously in the State. Most of them are key projects requiring huge capital outlay. Inadvertently, behaviour modification is already taking place and re-orientation is taking root. Cultism is now a taboo and the youths are behaving responsibly. Bayelsans have every reason to thank God for having a prudent leader like Governor Seriake Dickson. We now have an egalitarian system society where those in government are not rich and the working class is also living averagely. The rate of mendicancy has also reduced because nobody has more than enough to give. Government is now a leveler. Society is becoming more stable. One thing is clear, the restoration administration is fulfilling its mandate; everybody has to make sacrifice and Bayelsans are better for it. For those who look beyond pecuniary benefits, there are lots of intangibles the Governor Seriake Dickson Administration has achieved. Restoration is Changing Bayelsa State and nobody can fault these facts. Sept. 1st, 2014
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 19:22:12 +0000
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