OKEY ONWUCHEKWA, Yenagoa

Governor Goodluck Jonathan had forwarded his name to the House for approval to fill the vacant position.

Ebebi, representing Ekeremor Constituency 1, had shot into national limelight recently when he led the 23-member Assembly to impeach the then governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was succeeded by Jonathan.

A member of the Assembly, Hon. Nadu Karibo, announced the Speaker’s appointment even as he promised to shed more light on the issue.

Also yesterday, the governor presented the state’s 2006 budget of N126 billion to the lawmakers.

Ebebi’s elevation has put to rest speculations on who will clinch the post of deputy governor.

Lobbyists for the post had included Senator David Brigidi, and Ebebi.

It was however, gathered that the choice of Ebebi was favoured for the role he played in chasing out the former governor.

The majority leader of the Assembly, Hon. Adolphus Ofongo is expected to replace Ebebi as the new Speaker.

Meanwhile, Bayelsa State has proposed N126 billion for its services next year.

The Appropriation Bill, if approved will be N10 billion higher than last year’s budget.

Dr. Jonathan said the budget proposal will see the state spending about N86.4 billion on capital projects while N40 billion will go into recurrent expenditure.

A breakdown of the budget showed that works and infrastructure has the lion share of N25 billion while education came second with N15 billion.

Others are public utilities and rural development (N10 billion), Health (N6 billion), Housing, (N5.4 billion) Transport (N3 billion), Information, Culture and Tourism (N1.3 billion), Sports (N1.1 billion), Judiciary (N1.2 billion).

The government plans to construct three major highways linking the three senatorial zones of the state. These roads are Sagbama - Tungbo - Ekeremor - Agge/Amasama - Ebeni - Ekeremor road, Ogbia - Nembe - Brass road and Yenagoa - Oporoma - Ukubie Lobia Road.

"In addition, given that, the Mbiama - Igbogene entrance into the state falls in neighbouring state, thereby, limiting government power to maintain that section of the road, as well as for some purposes, a new deal carriage road that will provide a gateway to the state capital will be constructed to access the state from the East - West road between Mbiama and Kaiama," Dr. Jonathan noted.

He also stressed that his government was determined to restructure and professionalize public institutions, stem corruption, and enhance service delivery.

Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Government has saved N25 billion in its last year’s fiscal estimate, just as the governor, Dr Jonathan announced his intention to appoint a Special Adviser on Due process.

Speaking at the 2006 budget presentation Wednesday in the State House of Assembly, Yenagoa, Dr. Jonathan said the N25 billion saving will help to kick start the capital projects in the new fiscal year."

He said the due process office to be established in his office will be in keeping with the anti-corruption stance of the federal government.

He warned that attempts by persons to lobby for the position of special advisers (Due Process) would earn the lobbyists automatic disqualification in any public office of the state government.

Dr. Jonathan stressed that the Due Process Office will be headed by a competent technical officer of about 15 years post-qualification experience.