Bayelsa Deputy Governor Seeks Scrapping Of Character Commission
FROM WILLIE ETIM, YENAGOA
BAYELSA State Deputy Governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has called on the National Assembly to replace the Federal Character Commission with a Minority Right Commission.
Jonathan, who made the call when the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character led by its chairman, Mr. Nasiru Abduwa Gabasawa called on him at the Government House, Yenagoa, said it was the only way to address the problems facing the people in the minority.
The Acting Governor stated that such people had always suffered one injustice or another, adding that the Federal Character Commission appeared to be covering the problems that bedeviled minorities.
Jonathan reminded them of the enormous task before them, with regard to the application of the federal character principle in all spheres of the public service and distribution of social amenities.
He challenged the committee members to make some research into the application or otherwise of the principle of the federal character, stressing that their findings would be shocking.
He explained that a good percentage of the gas supplies to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Bonny was from Bayelsa and yet there was no Bayelsa indigene there.
"It is unfortunate that the state had just one federal permanent secretary and a director," he said, adding that it was necessary for the trend to be reversed.
Gabasawa had earlier told the acting governor that the House committee was committed to the application of the federal character principle. But he noted that it was incumbent on Bayelsa indigenes to seek employment at the federal level to fill the state's quota.
