Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, renewed his call for the adoption of true federalism and restructuring in Nigeria during the 124th state executive council meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa. The governor’s stance comes in response to a recent report by Economic Confidential, ranking Bayelsa among six states allegedly facing financial insolvency.
Governor Diri, addressing the gathered officials, expressed discontent with the report, arguing that it relied solely on federal allocation and internally generated revenue to assess a state’s viability without considering the expropriation of resources by the federal government. He dismissed claims of Bayelsa’s financial insolvency as predictions from “prophets of doom” and stressed that the state, rich in oil resources, faced economic challenges due to the current lopsided federalism.
In his statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri emphasized the need for true federalism, asserting that Bayelsa, with its abundant natural wealth, was hindered by the existing system. He decried the situation where states’ resources were taken to the center, leaving subnationals dependent on monthly allocations.
“The prophets of doom will always make predictions that Bayelsa State is insolvent, and I think they need to stop those predictions,” Governor Diri remarked. “We have been saying return our resources to us and let us compare what Bayelsa has with other states and see if we are one of those that cannot generate internal revenue.”
Before the council meeting, Governor Diri swore in two new judges, Amaebi Orukari and David Opokuma, to enhance the state’s administration of justice. He highlighted the modest strides made by his administration to provide an enabling environment for the judiciary’s independence. The governor charged the newly appointed judges to uphold justice with integrity, impartiality, and dedication, acknowledging the critical role of judges in shaping the lives and destinies of individuals and communities.
As Bayelsa grapples with economic challenges, Governor Diri’s call for true federalism resonates, advocating for a system that allows states to control and benefit from their resources, ultimately fostering financial viability and autonomy.
