Public service reforms: Town-hall meeting very successful, says Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Government has described as “a huge success”, the just-concluded town-hall meeting on public service reforms.

The government specifically said that the exercise which came to a close on Monday in Oporoma, Headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, had the collective endorsement of all stakeholders in the state.

A statement by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the two weeks event was also an eye opener, as the people became more aware of the massive benefits of the reforms.

He said the outcome of the town-hall meeting will enable the government to continue the smooth implementation of the reforms and promised that genuine complaints from civil servants and pensioners will be adequately addressed.

Iworiso-Mar‎kson who charged Bayelsans to continue to support the reforms, expressed immense gratitude to all those who supported, participated, made useful presentations and ensured that the town hall meeting achieved its purpose.

He commended Governor Henry Seriake Dickson for the opportunity to organize the programme and his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) who in his stead as the chairman of the reforms committee supported the process.

The Commissioner also commended ‎the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, ‎the Rt. Hon. Friday Konbowei Benson and members of the State House of Assembly as well as caretaker chairmen of the eight local government councils.

Others, he said, were members of the State Executive Council, Special Advisers and other political appointees, especially the political advisers to the governor led by Hon. Fyneman Wilson.

Iworiso-Markson equally lauded security agencies, the media, traditional rulers, chiefs, opinion leaders and other critical stakeholders like the various caucus chairmen, women and youths who showed commitment and passion throughout the period.

He said, “Our gratitude also goes to the National Orientation Agency (NOA)‎, labour unions, civil society groups, NGOs and other organizations. Other groups that deserve to be mentioned are the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), the Bayelsa Comrade Family, the Bayelsa State chapter of the Unemployed Graduates Forum and the Bayelsa State Vigilante”.