The Bayelsa State Government on Monday said it would soon establish community radio stations in the three senatorial zones of the state as part of measures to increase public awareness and enlightenment to the grassroots.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, made the announcement in Yenagoa shortly after taking over from his predecessor, Jonathan Obuebite.

According to him, public information should not only be centered on the capital city Yenagoa but should reach people in the rural areas to properly inform them on government programmes and policies.

Iworiso-Markson explained that the‎ community radio would be very useful and would be run in local languages with very rich content.

He said: “We will pursue public enlightenment with great vigor. Our people need to be reached with what the government is doing. This government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has done so much for our people and they need to know.

“From education revolution, where the declaration of a state of emergency since inception has recorded massive growth in infrastructure and thus effectively changed the fortunes of students in appreciable performance to the award of scholarships at home and abroad, giant leaps in public infrastructure as we have in institutional buildings, quality roads and bridges across the state, to economic diversification, we need to let them know and there is a whole lot to be done and we can achieve them working together.

“The idea of the community radio will encourage the confidence of our people, make them have a sense of belonging and constantly bring them up to speed with the progress made in a language they so understand.”

Iworiso-Markson, thanked Governor Seriake Dickson for the new opportunity and his predecessor for the many‎ achievements he had recorded and promised to build on it for the overall good of the government and people of the state.

Earlier, Obuebite highlighted some of his achievements including the revival of the ministry’s magazine Bayelsa Strides and the establishment of a news website, Bayelsa Watch.

Obuebite added that he has no doubt that his successor would succeed because of his capacity and experience as a seasoned media practitioner and public relations expert.

While appreciating the Permanent Secretary, Directors and staff for their support, he encouraged them to also extend same to the new commissioner to enable him succeed on all fronts.

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