Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N489 billion into law after its passage by the State House of Assembly, News About Nigeria reports.
In addition to the budget, Governor Diri also assented to the Bayelsa State Electricity Law 2023.
The budget amount shows an increase of N8.450 billion by the assembly. Governor Diri had initially presented a budget of N480 billion on November 29, 2023.
The signed 2024 fiscal document, named ‘Budget of Sustainable and Shared Prosperity’, prioritises key sectors such as education, infrastructure, healthcare delivery, and agriculture.
Governor Diri expressed optimism that a careful implementation of the budget would improve living conditions, address rural and urban poverty, and foster sustainable and shared prosperity.
He acknowledged the upward review by the assembly, providing additional funding for critical projects such as the construction of an ultra-modern stadium, a renal center at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, and administrative facilities for the Primary Health Care Board.
The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, commended Governor Diri for presenting an all-inclusive budget that aligned with economic realities and the people’s aspirations.
The approved budget features an increase in proposed capital and recurrent expenditures to address current realities in the state and the country.
Governor Diri also gave Olice Kemenanabo, the managing director of the state energy board, instructions to see to it that a comprehensive electrical organisation that produces, distributes, and sells power is established.
With the liberalisation of electricity by the federal government, Bayelsa State now has the authority to generate, distribute, and commercialise electricity, even to neighbouring states.
The governor sees this move as historic, noting that the state, endowed with abundant gas resources, has the potential for 24-hour electricity.
