Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson, on Wednesday called for concerted action against the upsurge of criminality and social vices such as cultism, cult related violence and drug abuse in the Niger Delta region.

Governor Dickson, who made the call while swearing in five newly appointed commissioners in Government House, Yenagoa, described the development as disturbing and crippling.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, listed the new commissioners to include Comrade Udengs Eradiri for Ministry of Youth Development, and Chief Victor Sam-Ateki, Special Duties for Eastern Senatorial District.

Others are Mr Arthur Andrew in charge of the newly created Ministry of State for Special Services; Mr Pius Jonah, Special Projects; and Mr Peter Afagha as Commissioner for Power.

Governor Dickson urged the commissioners to imbibe the spirit of teamwork and contribute selflessly towards actualising his administration’s target of finishing strong.

Expressing concern over the future of the youths, he stressed the need for leaders in the Niger Delta to come together to fight cultism, drug abuse and other vices that are capable of truncating the destinies of youths.

He particularly called on the Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Udengs Eradiri, to develop a template for sensitisation and reorientation of youths in the state for positive ventures.

Governor Dickson said: “Cultism is not only in the universities now. It is shocking that 11 to 12 years old are now deadly cultists. We have to recover as many as these young people as we can. I enjoin all political and religious leaders to join in this. Woe betide the leaders who are deceiving these youths that cultism is the way to success for them.

“A good number of the youths have been deceived into thinking that they have to kill to succeed. I therefore call on Niger Delta leaders to rise to the challenge of cultists and drug abuse for us to safeguard the future of our youths who have abundant potential.”

According to the Governor, his administration in the past seven years has not only pushed the frontiers of development in physical infrastructure but also created avenues for building committed, visionary and selfless leadership.

While congratulating the new commissioners whom he described as tested and dedicated public servants, Governor Dickson said there would be a major reorganisation of the state executive council by the first quarter of next year.

The Governor said that the newly established Bayelsa International Cargo/Passenger Airport would receive its first flight in January.

He said: “We have run a very good race by every account. This is the last lap. We have delivered on every sector. Even with the funding constraints, managing a recession, you cannot but say that we have tried.

“We have pushed the state ahead for about 25 years in all the critical sectors. We will drive to Ekeremor this December, and the first flight will land at the Bayelsa Airport in January, 2019.

“We are at the final stages of regulatory approvals. We want to get through with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and others next week

“Have we solved all the problems of Bayelsa? No. We have not solved all the problems, but we have made a huge difference.

“Our collective prayer as a government is to finish well and strong. As we move on, there is need for a critical reorganisation and this is the first of a series to come. I know your potentials, the contributions that you have made so far.”

•Photo by Lucky Francis shows Governor Seriake Dickson (centre) and his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah rtd, (3rd left) pose with the five newly sworn in Commissioners shortly after their inauguration at Government House, Yenagoa.

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