Elizabeth Vincent, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing all major ongoing projects across the state as it prepares to mark the 30th anniversary of its creation on October 1, 2026.
The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, stated this on Thursday during the state’s monthly transparency briefing held at the treasury building in Yenagoa.
Koku-Obiyai said the anniversary provided an opportunity for Bayelsans to reflect on the state’s journey since its creation in 1996, describing the past three decades as a period characterised by resilience, sacrifice, growth and development.
She said Bayelsa had evolved from a young state into one with significant prospects for sustainable development, attributing the progress recorded over the years to the collective efforts of its people and successive administrations.
According to the commissioner, the past six years of governor Douye Diri’s prosperity Administration have witnessed accelerated investments in critical infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment.
“Across the eight local government areas, several projects are ongoing and progressing according to plan,these projects represent investments in the future of our children and the prosperity of our people,Koku-Obiyai assured that the administration would ensure that major projects were completed according to specifications and commissioned before the expiration of its tenure.
The commissioner also dismissed reports that the state government was awaiting financial contributions from the Federal Government before proceeding with the proposed FIFA-standard stadium at Igbogene.
“We state categorically that there is no truth in that claim. It is false work on the world-class, FIFA-standard stadium at Igbogene is ongoing, and the prosperity administration remains fully committed to delivering a world-class facility for our youths.
“We are not waiting for anyone,” she declared.
She described the media as a critical partner in the state’s development process, commending journalists for keeping the public informed and subjecting government policies programmes and projects to scrutiny.
However, she urged media practitioners to maintain professionalism, objectivity and impartiality as the 2027 general elections approach.
“As we approach the election season, we urge our journalists to shun the temptation of joining partisan politics, remain impartial, report the facts and hold governments accountable,but do not become partisan players or elevate personal issues above developmental concerns.”
The state’s technical adviser on treasury accounts and revenue, Mr Timipre Seipulou, disclosed that Bayelsa recorded total receipts of N83.06 billion in June 2026 from the federation account and other revenue sources.
Seipulou said the state received a gross N59.065 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) during the month,
He explained that the amount comprised N8.87 billion in statutory allocation, representing 15 per cent; N42.18 billion from derivation, representing 71 per cent; and N8 billion from value added Tax (VAT), representing 14 per cent of the total FAAC receipts.
He said N903.36 million was deducted from the FAAC allocation for various obligations, including foreign loan and federal government recovery deductions of N302.23 million, restructured reforms of N128.36 million, reforms relating to acquired fields of N123.34 million, excess crude loan facility deductions of N82.68 million, ecological fund deductions of N239.12 million and healthcare facility-related deductions of N27.62 million.
Following the deductions, Bayelsa’s net FAAC receipt for June stood at N58.162 billion.
Seipulou further disclosed that the state generated N2.89 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR) for may 2026, which was reported in June.
He added that the state received N7 billion in federal government infrastructure funds, N9.76 billion from excess crude reforms, N4.99 billion from NDDC-related funds and N239.12 million from ecological fund transfers.”
The inflows from other sources amounted to N24.895 billion, bringing the state’s total receipts for June, after FAAC deductions, to N83.057 billion,N13.5bn spent on salaries, related obligations,on expenditure, Seipulou said the state spent N6.02 billion on bank loan repayments and N7.8 billion on the salaries of civil servants for June.”
He said N443 million was used to offset salary arrears, while N1.997 billion was spent on salaries of political appointees,the government also paid N200 million in gratuities to pensioners and N267.79 million towards pension arrears.
“Other expenditures included N2.06 billion in grants to tertiary institutions, N207 million for downsized salary arrears, N232.19 million in state support to local governments for the payment of primary school teachers, and N64.248 million under COPA,the state also paid N50 million in minimum wage arrears.
According to Seipulou, salary-related obligations and other personnel commitments amounted to approximately N13.5 billion during the month,he disclosed that N119.55 million, representing 50 per cent of the ecological fund, was transferred to the Niger Delta development commission (NDDC).
The state also contributed N442.09 million, representing five per cent of its IGR, to various programmes and institutions, including the education trust fund, Bayelsa state health insurance scheme and the student loan board.
He added that other statutory obligations, cost of collection, tax claims and related reforms amounted to N459.62 million, while account maintenance and other bank charges stood at N111.21 million.
The government said the disclosure formed part of its commitment to fiscal transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources as Bayelsa enters its fourth decade.
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