Emeka Moses
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has approved Governor Douye Diri’s request to reclassify the 2027 budget of N1,242,688,970,520.22.
Before the approval, the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou Edwin Obolo, said the proposed reclassification of the 2027 Appropriation Bill was necessitated by the need to align with the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stressing that no kobo was added to the original budget.
The Leader, who explained that government is dynamic and circumstances are not static, said during implementation government is not expected to deviate, but when there is a need to address critical areas, the issue of restructuring comes up, which entails moving funds from less demanding ministries to others that need more resources.
According to him, “ministries such as Education, Health, Blue Economy, Lands and Survey, as well as the Community Safety Corps Agency, are areas that will benefit from the reclassification.”
Similarly, the state legislators have given a nod to a request by the state governor to participate in the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Receivables Discounting Programme 2 for state infrastructure financing.
Under the programme, the Federal Government will issue to Bayelsa State a Non-Interest-Bearing Promissory Note with an aggregate face value of N100 billion, which will be discounted by a financial institution to provide funding for the state’s capital development projects, including the Ekeremor-Agge road, the nine-storey secretariat building, and the expansion of the 60-megawatt gas turbine power plant, among others.
According to the arrangement, there will be a monthly deduction of N8,333,333,333.33 from the state’s Federation Account allocations for twelve months, commencing from the month of issuance of the Promissory Note.
Moving the motion for the approval, Leader of the House Rt. Hon. Obolo, who appreciated the Prosperity Government for its prudent management of funds, noted that Bayelsa is among the four least indebted states in Nigeria, making it imperative for the House to approve the request.
The House also gave accelerated passage to two bills after observing various procedures: the Universal Basic Education Board Amendment Bill and the Senior Secondary Education Board Bill 2026.
The bills are intended to allow the government to drive home a consolidated educational sector that will pave the way for the elimination of some obsolete policies.
Shortly after the passage, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Michael Ogbere (Ekeremor Constituency Three), appreciated members for their excellent performance in considering the third reading of the two bills and their dedication to carrying out legislative functions effectively.
