Governor Dickson And Good Governance (part 1)

Good governance is about the processes for making and implementing decisions. It's not about making 'correct' decisions, but about the best possible process for making those decisions.

Good decision-making processes, and therefore good governance, share several characteristics. All have a positive effect on various aspects of government including consultation policies and practices, meeting procedures, service quality protocols, and officer conduct, role clarification and good working relationships.

The Restoration government has provided a good relationship between all arms of government, thus since the restoration government came onboard, there has never being problems as is the case in several states between the Executive and other arms of government.

Dickson has always believed in consultations before any major decisions are arrived at. This is good governance on the part of our dear countryman governor

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND THE BAYELSA EXPERIENCE?

Good governance is accountable
Accountability is a fundamental requirement of good governance. State government has an obligation to report, explain and be answerable for the consequences of decisions it has made on behalf of the citizens it represents..

In the Restoration government, Dickson is number one when it comes to accountability. In several aspects of the Administration, he has always taken the lead in proven accountability. One major area is the monthly Transparency briefing which he laid the foundation. He has accounted for all revenue collected and how it was expended. This is accountability

Good governance is transparent
People should be able to follow and understand the decision-making process. This means that they will be able to clearly see how and why a decision was made – what information, advice and consultation government considered, and which legislative requirements (when relevant) government followed.

In this area too the countryman governor has surpassed all. No wonder he conducts the monthly transparency briefings. Bayelsa state is one of the few states in the federation that is conducting such monthly briefings on how much it has and for what the money was spent on.

The governor scored 80% 0n this aspect because every month, he invites stakeholders for a briefing where he informs the citizens on how much the state got and how it was spent. Dickson is a man of transparency per excellence.

Good governance follows the rule of law
This means that decisions are consistent with relevant legislation or common law and are within the powers of state government.. In fact, since governor Dickson came onboard as the governor of Bayelsa state, he has meticulously followed rule of Law. This ia indication that Dickson is a man of integrity and vision.

Good governance is responsive
State government should always try to serve the needs of the entire communities while balancing competing interests in a timely, appropriate and responsive manner. This the governor has demonstrated enough. Take for instance the payment of civil servants and political appointees.

In the face of highly dwindling resources, the visionary governor in the manner of Joseph in the land of Egypt has consistently paid salaries of his workforce when more than 20 states could not meet the salary obligation of their states' workforce. Some states are even owing civil servants between 7-10 months of unpaid salaries to their workers.

Governor Dickson is also number one in this aspect. Some people do not know all these facts so they always talk ill about a seriously performing governor.

We should appreciate his great sacrifices in making Bayelsa state a better place for us and generations yet unborn.

Good governance is equitable and inclusive.
A state's wellbeing results from all of its members feeling their interests have been considered by state in the decision-making process. This means that all groups, particularly the most vulnerable, should have opportunities to participate in the process.

In this wise, the governor has done very creditably. This is the government that has embraced the non-indigenes as the 9th Local government Area of the state.

In fact he has even declared a number of times that there is nothing like non=indigene in the lexicon of Bayelsa state as the so called non-indigenes are really not so rather he prefers calling them friends living in the state.

No wonder all the non-indigenes are clamouring for his re-election for a second term in office as the governor come December 5th, 2015.

In the area of appointments, the governor has considered people of the state in all the Local Government Areas including the so those of our friends who are now making up the 9th Local government Area of the state.

Good governance is effective and efficient
State government should implement decisions and follow processes that make the best use of the available people, resources and time to ensure the best possible results for the communities. This too the governor has done very well as he always follow due process when it comes to allocating men, resources and Management to the best use which has resulted to the rapid development the state is experiencing.

Good governance is participatory
Anyone affected by or interested in a decision should have the opportunity to participate in the process for making that decision. This can happen in several ways – community members may be provided with information, asked for their opinion, given the opportunity to make recommendations or, in some cases, be part of the actual decision-making process.

This is another area the governor has done well. Never a time he has taken a decision unilaterally without robust consultation. A case in point was the proposed N25b loan which he initiated to enable government complete some of the ongoing projects due to the very serious short-fall in the federal oil-based allocation.

Apart from getting approval from the state Assembly, he also consulted with various stakeholders seeking their opinion on whether it was wise to take such loan.

So, our countryman governor has done very well in this regard too.

The Re-election of the countryman governor should be as a matter of concern to the good and peace-loving people of Bayelsa state. With the track record of good governance and the laudable projects he has so far completed and those ongoing, it is naturally wise for us to return him for a second term to enable him complete these people-friendly projects and programmes.

I urge you all to come out in your numbers to vote for the umbrella in order to reap the dividends of democracy'

Dave Asei
20/09/2015