NGIJ Assesses Gov. Dickson, Commends Police

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists, NGIJ, has concluded its  Governance Assessment Investigations on the  eight years administration of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in Bayelsa State.

NGIJ, in a statement issued in Yenagoa on Friday by its President, Wale Abydeen, said the Guild embarked  on the tour to carry out its  watchdog role and assess the  impact of Dickson’s administration on the people on the state.

Abydeen explained that the Guild, while in Bayelsa,  visited the eight local government areas, and administered 10,000 questionnaires to gauge public opinion on the programmes, policies and projects of the, almost, eight years that Governor Dickson’s  administration of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, state.

He said the NGIJ team met critical stakeholders, including Security agencies, traditional rulers, Labour unions, political parties, Civil liberty organizations, civil servants, artisans, market women/men and others.

But the Bayelsa State Government failed to meet with the Guild to take them on a tour of its Achievements so far in the State. They promised to, but failed to do so at the time the guild rounded off its assessment tour.

The NGIJ President applauded the Police for their cooperation during the  one-week long tour, and appreciates the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigerian Union  of Journalists, NUJ, for the warm reception given to the guild in Yenagoa.

He hinted that the Governance Assessment Report on Bayelsa State which  contains firsthand information from the field work will be unveiled before the end of September.