Gov Diri Presents N385bn Budget To Bayelsa Assembly

Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa state presented an appropriation bill of N385.211billion for the 2023 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly for consideration and passage on Monday, November 7. 

Diri said that the fiscal proposal titled, ‘Budget of Sustainable Growth and Reconstruction’, would be funded through FAAC receipts, N153bn; 13 percent derivation, N148bn; internally generated revenue, N20bn; grants, N16.7bn; and loans, N47bn.

According to him, the parameters of the budget are consistent with the state’s 2023-2025 medium term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy paper previously approved by the assembly.

He said the 2023 budget also took into consideration the input of citizens and stakeholders, which culminated in an interactive session held in September “to ensure that Bayelsans have an opportunity to contribute their ideas to crafting our shared-prosperity.”

Diri, while giving a breakdown of the budget, said that Works and Infrastructure would gulp N77.924bn; Education N40.454bn; Agriculture N14.199bn; Environment N13.842bn; Health N12.526bn; and Lands and Housing N7.278bn.

Others include, Information N6.319bn; Local Government and Community Development N5.793bn; Transport N5.322bn; Youths and Sports N4.610bn; Trade and Investment N2.844bn; and Power N2.054bn.

While the recurrent expenditure would gulp N217.665bn, capital expenditure stood at N167.545bn.

The governor further said that his administration would continue to provide the enabling environment to attract investors for the growth of the state’s economy and the empowerment of the people to participate in that space.

“Secondly, we will continue building new physical infrastructure and restore those that have been damaged by the floods, for the benefit of citizens.”

He added that the government would also continue to improve the civil service in order to enhance professionalism in the workforce.