Dickson receives U.S. officials, calls on Western countries to invest in Bayelsa

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has reiterated his call on the United States (U.S.) and other Western countries to invest in Bayelsa’s growing economy and assured them of his administration’s support, especially in the provision of conducive environment.
The governor made the call on Tuesday when he received in his office top officials of the United States Consulate General in Nigeria, led by its Political and Economic Section Chief, Thomas Hines and Maria Davydenko.
While thanking the U.S. diplomats for their visit, Dickson expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with local and foreign investors to grow the state’s economy. 
According to him, it is only through such investments that, job opportunities and wealth creation will be achieved to consolidate on the peace and stability of the state and the Niger Delta region. 
 
The present administration, according to the governor, has committed huge amounts of its resources to infrastructural development and other sectors of the economy. 
 
Dickson disclosed that, the state has been adjudged by local and foreign observers as one of the safest states in the Country, and, therefore, called on the international community to take advantage of this. 
 
He also called on the United States Embassy and others to review their travel advisories and encourage their entrepreneurs to invest in the state. 
 
On the newly introduced Bayelsa State Health Services Scheme,  the governor disclosed that, all public servants will contribute two percent of their salaries, while political appointees will contribute more to the scheme, with effect from June,  2017.
 
The governor, who described the health facilities in the state as second to none, solicited support from all stakeholders to make the programme sustainable and to bring into fruition his administration’s vision of building a healthy workforce.
 
His words; “Government alone can’t do everything and so we need support, those who are in a position to donate facilities should do so.  We are building hospital facilities never like before.  Every local government area has one and we are even going beyond that. 
 
‘I have said that, by December, every political ward must have a functional health centre, with accommodation facilities for doctors and midwives’
 
Earlier in his remarks, Hines described the Ijaw National Academy and African University as impressive investments that would stand the test of time.
 
Hines applauded the state government on its free and compulsory education for the boarding students at the Ijaw National Academy. 
 
He added that, the security situation in the state and the Niger Delta as a whole has improved significantly.