The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Alfred Watson Belemote has given an insight into the reasons for the establishment of the Ministry of Community Development.
Hon. Alfred Watson Belemote said the establishment of the Ministry of Community
Development is in line with the present administration of Gov. Douye Ds places premium on the peace,security and development of local Communities.
The Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Alfred Watson Belemote who made this known during a Royal FM 95.5 audience participatory program tagged “the X-Ray” stated that the newly established ministry has to ensure that there is peace and unity in it’s quest to develop the communities and the state at large.
The Commissioner said that the ministry of Community Development is an infant ministry as it’s a new one, and has been entrusted to bring about development to the communities and Bayelsa State at large in line with the Prosperity Administration agenda for the ministry.
He said that the Prosperity Administration Government ably led by Sen. Douye Diri attaches so much premium to community development, hence, the creation of the ministry.
The Commissioner thanked the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri and his workaholic Deputy, His Excellency, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for reposing in him the mantle of leading the ministry.
He assured the governor of the readiness of his team to deliver on the mandate.
On the task of community development, a tree can not make a forest as it’s a collective effort as development can only come through partnership and collaboration with the people and major stakeholders, the commissioner said.
Mr. Watson reiterated that development will never come to a place of turbulence and rancor, but that a united front and synergy between government and the people always leads to development at all levels of government and society.
He said that models such as community engagement which involves town hall meetings with the communities, engaging constituency representatives, traditional rulers, Chiefs and group heads, as well as the people in general will further the course of data gathering in order to be well furnished with information on the challenges and needs of the people.
“Afterwards, sustainability and evaluation model has to be carried out which includes a parameter for implementation of policies that are sustainable for proper evaluation of the data, and referrals made back to the government on the proper solution and resolution to be activated.”
“These are steps that if well followed, deployed and employed would aid development while carrying everyone along”He said.
Mr. Alfred Belmote Watson echoed the need not to repeat the mistakes made in time past.
He said that growth and development comes when we learn from past mistakes, and try not to repeat them.
“Rather we apply initiatives and innovations that will help us moving forward,Applied ideas rule the world, and a good collective ideas from us all makes for a good community and state.”
The Commissioner also advised the youths not to allow themselves to be used to cause crisis and constitute a menace, but should rather embrace peace and unity for growth and development in the society.
While some callers into the program were full of encomium for the Commissioner for his mode of operation, as well as, making out time to come on radio and talk to the people about the ministry and the work the ministry is doing.
Other callers advised the Commissioner to monitor and follow up ongoing projects in the communities for completion, an advice which the Commissioner said the ministry will monitor, follow up and carry out inspection of it’s projects, and any contractor found wanting would be duly sanctioned.