Governor Seriake Dickson has tasked the newly inaugurated Board of the Bayelsa Oil Company Limited to expand the operations of the firm beyond the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, particularly as oil prices are on the rebound.

Dickson, who gave the charge at the inauguration of the seven-member board in Yenagoa, stressed the need to re-position the company for optimal performance in order to maximise its dividends.

In a press statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Francis Ottah Agbo, Dickson called on members of the board to ensure that the company participated fully in the oil industry, towards reaping the benefits accruable in the sector, assuring the team of his administration’s support to achieve set goals.

Dickson, who expressed displeasure with the way and manner the company was being managed, called for commitment and patriotism on the part of members of the board in the discharge of their functions.

His words: “Let me say that I am not pleased with the way and manner that this company has been run and managed. I am not pleased with how far we have gone in terms of getting benefits from the huge investments that the state has made and I expect this board to correct all of that.

“Take a hard and critical look at all transactions and re-organise the priorities of the company to ensure that the state, in no distant time, will begin to get benefits from the investments from the assets that this company is holding on behalf of this state.

“This company will have my support to expand their operations even beyond the upstream sector. I want to see commitment, business sense in your activities. So I urge you to get cracking.

“A lot is expected of you, particularly now that oil prices are rebounding. We want to be part of that industry. Even if you need more assets, the state government will support you. I want to see performance, capacity, patriotism and commitment so that the state can benefit.”

Responding, the board Chairman, Mr. Solomon Agwanana assured Dickson that they would work diligently to achieve the vision of the state government.

Mr. Ebi Dorgu is the Managing Director, while other members are Chief Maxwell Clarkson Kikile, Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd), Chief Ayebaemi Opuene, Mr. Jonah Cock-Brown and Engr. Ogbariyai Fredrick Suku-Ogbari, representing the state Ministry of Mineral Resources.

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