Brass local government area in Bayelsa State, hosts the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG). However the local government is also known to be a hot spot for criminal activities. In this interview OSA OKHOMINA, takes on the local government chairman, Hon. Bello Bina, on his activities in the local government.Bayelsa State just celebrated its 20th anniversary, how will you describe the rate of development under the current administration'Since, the creation of Bayelsa State 20 year ago, we have had only two elected governors, Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha and Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson. Others emerged in circumstantial manner. We witnessed rapid development during the era of Late Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha and the present administration of Henry Seriake Dickson. Within Dicksons administration, the state has been turned into a construction site. Due to drop in allocation, the pace of construction work reduced. However, up till date, we are still witnessing the handling some jobs and works are going on.But there is this notion that if the APC had won during the last governorship poll, the partys alliance with the centre would have brought about accelerated development. Does that not position APC as a strong alternative in Bayelsa'Stop listening to stories, the APC can never be a threat to PDP. Even before the election, when they entered the State with their force and claimed they had federal backing, we were not afraid and did not panic. Nobody is a threat to PDP in Bayelsa State. When they came claiming they had the result and will just declare it, we were ready and the people spoke through their votes. The people of Bayelsa know their right. I was so sure of PDPs victory that I made a media statement, published in the national dailies, that I will go into exile if the APC won. I meant it and I would have gone into exile. I was so sure of the position of the people on matter of governance in the state. And, at the Election Petition Tribunal, Appeal and Supreme Courts, I am sure victory is for the PDP. It is the mandate of the people. And the people know what they want.How do you react to to the rising criticisms against the state governor over what is perceived as a decrease in developmental performance'Those are mere rumours. Governor Dickson has performed beyond reasonable doubt. Nobody can come to say that Governor Dickson is not performing. If not for the governors prudence in this time of recession, the state would have gone down the drain. The people of the state should know that we were put up for sale by some of his predecessors through loans and bonds. We were used as collateral for loans and bonds. We should be thankful to Dickson. If not, one day, we would be sleeping and some federal people will knock on our door and ask us to vacate the seat of governance due to debts.We would have been turned into slaves before Dicksons administration took over. His prudence had made the payment of salaries possible unlike some other states. If it were to be another governor, salaries issue would have been big crises. He is a God fearing man. We know that criticisms are allowed but they will not deter him from impacting on the lives of the people.You have expressed so much belief in Dicksons administration and the PDP yet ,there are accusations against you of romancing with the APC. Why'The PDP is in charge of the state and the local government councils. I have taken charge of Brass local government as a PDP Council Chairman and the achievement made was with the exemplary support of the State Governor. Maybe some of the anti-PDP forces linking me with APC are expecting me to kill the opposition before they will confirm my loyalty.As a council chairman, I am their father in Brass local government. These people dont like the present peace I have brought to the local government. I keep saying that the PDP brought development into Brass. These politicians, involved in campaign of calumny, stay in Government House and spread false rumor. But it is because I was not nominated by them and the governor, in his wisdom, found me worthy based on my hard work, and appointed me. I am just like a single tree standing in the forest. If anyone has anything to say against me, they should come to Brass local government and show their popularity.Many of those involved in the rumor peddling against the council expect me to bring the workers payroll to them before I can pay salary. They expect me to consult them before I develop the council. They want me to share the salary of the council. For them, they should be aware that those days the APC is making noise are over. I have over powered the APC and the members of the PDP should come to Brass and give me support to make the PDP stronger.When the federal minister came and she breached protocol without informing the state governor, I cautioned her. If I could do all that, I should have been commended by the members of PDP in Brass, instead of claiming I am romancing with APC. I remain a PDP man and will always be a PDP man.Your local government used to be the hub of crime and criminalities inspite of the existence of rich resources. As a chairman, what have you done to stem the tide'I have taken Brass to the next phase. People knew Brass as a radical place, where there is no peace but the press, the security agencies and other well meaning individuals can attest to the fact that from the date of my swearing-in, you will find out that Brass has been under my absolute control as chairman. Brass is a place where there is no fighting or shooting. Brass is one today. I have handled the insecurity issue of Twon Brass, it is not just me but with the help of God and support of members of my team, we have brought calm to Brass.Brass, as some people will say is the APC stronghold because Chief Timipre Sylva is from this local government area. It is described as a troublesome and violent place but I can assure that Brass is calm, everybody is relaxed and everything is going well because of my kind of leadership. Security is every mans problem as the security agencies are trying their best; as chairman and chief security officer of the place, I try my best to work around the security agencies, CDCs, traditional rulers, youth leaders, among others, to incorporate them into plans for peace in Brass today.For over 20 years, Brass local government area has not marked the Independence Day celebration, where a chairman will mount a podium and take salute from children. But as I took over office, I thought it necessary to put that in place. So, when I got to Brass on Independence Day to take salute, everybody, both chiefs and elders were happy. It was during the military government over 20 years ago that they last saw such event. Everybody was happy.How true is it that the state government engage in illegal deductions of council monies'The state government is not taking a dime from any council allocation. I am the chairman so I am not just saying any sort of thing. Before now, allocations come in and salaries were not paid. The governor, as a prudent man, insisted on proper monitoring and accountability. The governor said No, if allocations are coming in and the chairmen owe up to 5 months salaries, there is the need to look into the system for the good of the state. If the governor had not monitored the system of payment and insisted on accountability, we would have been in a very big crisis now. That is why, the talk about local government autonomy and money released directly to council is rubbish. We get our allocation as at when due from the federation account. The Bayelsa State government is not taking any dime from it. I am speaking here on behalf of all the local government chairmen in Bayelsa State. Nobody can make such frivolous allegations. I am a chairman so I know. Likewise other local government council chairmen in the state. These monies are controlled and given to chairmen to use at their discretion. If you aim is to develop the people, pay salaries and do the right thing. Nobody is taking anybodys money from us. The allegation is not correct and it is unfounded.How have you been able to adjust to the drop in revenue from the federal allocation'The administration of local government is not childs play. With a very low allocation, as local government authorities, we had to be prudent because it is not a situation of Father Christmas. When you are called for service, you dedicate yourself and put in all efforts to get the job done. So, with the allocation, we still try to manage the council. When the funds come, we dont do flamboyant, excessive or too many project. Our first priority is the workers salaries; that is why we pay 50% salaries. What is coming, as allocation, cannot accommodate the staff strength that we have. Especially, now that we pay teachers salaries. You know before now, the state government pays 60% of the salary while the 40% is paid by council. Since, the state couldnt handle it; we took over the 100% of the payment. But we are paying 50% of the teachers salary for now with the present allocation. We have been sustaining like that rather keeping salaries for three to four months and pay one month. We looked at our principal, at the state level and follow suit and adopt the same pattern. We are paying 50% both for civil servants and teachers; it has been helpful and working for us. Before now, Brass use to get close to N350m but it is fluctuating between N70m and N50m. If these methods were not applied, it means that you cant do anything.
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