….as commissioner appeals for Patience amid power outage
Elizabeth Vincent, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Mrs. Koku Ebiowou Obiyai, has appealed to Bayelsans to remain patient as the government works to resolve the ongoing electricity outage in the state.
She made this statement during a transparency briefing covering the months of August and September 2024, held at the Treasury Building in Yenagoa.
“According to the commissioner, she recently visited Okoba in Rivers State to inspect the progress of work at the site, where repairs are underway. “The tower needs to be properly fixed to restore power,” she explained.
“Mrs. Obiyai stressed the importance of the project, highlighting the collaboration between the Federal Government, Rivers State, and Bayelsa State to ensure the restoration of electricity.”
“Additionally , she informed the public that the state government is working towards implementing the new minimum wage, with workers expected to start receiving their increased salaries soon”.
During the briefing, the Technical Adviser on Treasury and Finance, Mr. Timipre Seipulo, provided an overview of the state’s expenditures and project commitments. He noted that despite the substantial funds received, the financial demands of ongoing projects are immense.
According to Seipulo, Bayelsa received a total of N150.5 billion in August and N135.44 billion in September 2024. A balance of N32.29 billion was carried forward into September.
The total expenditure for the two months, which included FAAC deductions, salaries, and bank charges, amounted to N139.4 billion.
Seipulo clarified that a significant portion of the funds is allocated to large-scale capital projects, especially road infrastructure. “Many of these deep-pocket projects require long-term investments. The government is committed to completing as many of these projects as possible before the end of this administration,” he added.
He further emphasized the importance of these transparency briefings, explaining that they are essential for public accountability. “As required by law, these briefings ensure that citizens are informed about the state’s financial status and ongoing projects,” Seipulo said.
