From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

 The Bayelsa State government has again debunked insinuations that the state was among states tampering with Local Government funds.

Rather, the state government because of the deficit suffered by the local councils after payment of workers’ salaries, the state government provides funds for them.

Governor Douye Diri made the declaration while swearing in the Chairmen of two Rural Development Authorities 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 explained that some of the councils in the state run into deficit after paying workers and teachers and that the government will continue to augment their funds so they do not suffer.

The governor noted that 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.

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“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 FAAC allocation, the Bayelsa State government augments their funds, as some local 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 Mr. Andrew Ikputu-Kirifa for Ogboin South/Tarakiri RDA and Mr. 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 (TCN) to ensure that power was quickly restored while the government’s plan to achieve independent power supply for the state was on course.