Chieftaincy stool: Dickson sets up committee for proper classification to outlaw disputes

AGAINST the backdrop of brewing disputes over chieftaincy tool,
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has inaugurated a committee
in each local government areas, with a mandate to identify communities
where there are pending chieftaincy disputes in court or before any
other arbitration body in order to promote peace in the state.
Contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,
Mr Daniel Iworiso Markson, the committee is also saddled with the
responsibility to ensure that chieftaincy stools are properly
classified.
Represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd),
the Governor at the inauguration of the committee comprising
verification teams for communities and their heads across the eight local
government areas, urged them to do thorough job in view of the
sensitive nature of traditional stools in the state.
According to the statement, the part of a seven point terms of reference
to the committees, include engaging in proper consultations and visits
for the purpose of identifying, ascertaining and compiling a credible
and acceptable list of communities and their heads in the eight
councils’ area in the state.
The government also mandated the committee to study the compendium of
documents relating to the various communities and their heads, earlier
submitted to the government by the Chief Douye Douglas Naingba led
Committee on Chieftaincy Stools.
According to the Governor, the committee is expected to make
recommendations on appropriate communities that should be given
official recognition, as well as to make any other recommendations
given the sensitive nature of their assignment.
The Committee, which has two weeks to submit its report, is to be
coordinated by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt Hon Talford
Ongolo.
Responding, Chairman of the Committee and leader of the Ekeremor Local
Government Verification Team, Barr Belemu Nemine expressed his
committee’s determination to carry out the task assigned them
diligently.
Chairmen of the various verification teams are, Chief Kune Igoni for
Brass, Hon Kofi Odiowei- Kolokuma/Opokuma, Hon. Eminah Bioghoemi-
Nembe and Chief Maclean Aduba-Ogbia local government area.
Others are Chief Bernard Agai-Sagbama local government area, Chief
Patrick Osunu-Southern Ijaw and Hon Michael Ogbolosingha for Yenagoa local government area.