Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has received an award for the development programmes of his administration at the grassroots.

Dr Agathan Goma, Commissioner for Local Government Administration in Bayelsa said on Monday that the award was bestowed on August 30.

She said that the award was given by the Centre for Economic and Leadership in conjunction with African Magazine at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Goma said she received the award on behalf of the governor at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The Commissioner noted that Bayelsa government under Dickson prioritises infrastructure, education, public health and people oriented policies at rural areas of the state.

She further explained that Dickson’s administration was in pursuit of aggressive development agenda capable of propelling economic and human resource development.

She described governor Dickson’s achievements as all-encompassing, saying that the full import of Dickson’s contribution will be fully appreciated long after he might have served out his tenure.

“Governor Dickson is attuned to the saying that education is the only legacy a nation can bequeath the youth.

“This is why investment in education has continued to receive unprecedented attention.

“The result of the huge investment in education is clear for all to see; a state once described as educational disadvantaged now has the best of schools.

“Bayelsa students are now coming tops in national and international examinations,” Goma said.

The commissioner assured the organisers that the honour done the governor would spur the Bayelsa Government to higher performance.

Goma explained that the three Senatorial Roads linking the state capital which had remained as a concept on engineers’ drawing board for so long have commenced in earnest.

The roads, according to the commissioner, will open up the state to several investment possibilities.

She invited international investing community to take advantage of the seamless business environment in Bayelsa, assuring them of maximum returns on investment.

Goma also spoke on the theme of the AU conference; “The Role of Parliament, Local and Regional Governments in Strengthening Participatory Democracy in Africa”.

Goma explained that there is nexus between quality representation and development in Africa. She said for participatory democracy to yield enduring dividends, public participation in governance must go beyond the Election Day.

The democracy will ensure that Africans tap into the full prosperity of the continent’s huge natural and human endowments.

She said: “There are multilayer connects between the parliament and participatory democracy. Parliamentarians, ordinarily, are on errands for their constituents.

“The cornerstone of democracy and participatory government resides in the inalienable right of citizens.

“The common folks, to choose their representatives in parliament and indeed at all levels of government.

“In other words, government is a product of choice and the only purpose of government is to pursue and protect the interest of the electorate.”

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