From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Bayelsa government has, again, debunked insinuations that the state is tampering with local government funds.
It said rather, the government, because of the deficit suffered by the councils after payment of workers’ salaries, provides funds for them.
Governor Douye Diri made the declaration while swearing in the chairmen of two rural development authorities (RDAs) during the 134th state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.
According to Diri, his administration will continue to give financial support to local governments in the state regardless of the judgment of the Supreme Court that granted autonomy to the councils.
He said some of the councils in the state suffered deficit after paying workers and teachers and that the government will continue to augment their funds so they do not suffer.
The governor said the creation of the RDAs was part of the government’s initiative to take development to the nook and cranny of the state.
Diri charged the newly sworn-in chairmen to discharge their duties dutifully and humbly to the people at the grassroots.
“My administration will continue to give full support to the local government system, regardless of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy.
“Unlike the impression being peddled that state governments control what goes to the local government accounts after Federal Account Allocation Committee allocation, the Bayelsa State government augments their funds, as some councils run in deficit.
“You are carrying the banner of this prosperity government to your rural development authorities. I charge you to discharge your duties dutifully and humbly to the people at the grassroots.”
Those sworn in were Andrew Ikputu-Kirifa for Ogboin South/Tarakiri RDA and Christian Egbo for Ogbia Central RDA.
The governor, again, expressed concern over the destruction of the power transmission lines serving the state by vandals that have thrown the state into total darkness.
He said he has kept the commissioner for Power and managing director of the Bayelsa State Electricity Company on their toes working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to ensure power was restored while the government’s plan to achieve independent power supply for the state was on course.