Diri Seeks Citizens’ Input As Bayelsa Begins 2027 Budget

The Bayelsa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to open, transparent and accountable governance, assuring citizens of greater participation in the preparation and implementation of the 2027 budget.

Hotnews reports that Governor Douye Diri gave the assurance on Thursday at a Critical Stakeholders Public Interactive Session on the preparation of the 2027 annual budget held at the Harold Dappa-Biriye Conference Hall, Onopa, Yenagoa.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, said the engagement was designed to allow citizens, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders to contribute to government’s priorities through a bottom-up approach.

He urged participants to identify what had worked or failed in their communities and sectors, while helping government determine priorities between ongoing and new projects, infrastructure and human capital development, as well as the needs of urban and riverine communities.

The Governor also stressed the importance of including women, youths, persons living with disabilities and communities affected by oil production in the budget process.

He disclosed that a Citizens’ Budget would be published in plain language after the exercise to enable Bayelsans understand how public funds are being allocated and utilised.

The state helmsman also pledged to strengthen systems for tracking and reporting budget implementation.

Presenting the 2025 budget performance, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai, represented by the Technical Adviser on Treasury, Accounts and Revenues, Timipre Seipulo, said the state achieved 86 per cent of its projected revenue.

According to him, the state recorded actual revenue of N1.13 trillion in 2025, while recurrent expenditure stood at N274.78 billion and capital expenditure at N838 billion.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Burutolu Samuel, said the interactive session would enable government and citizens to collectively determine the development priorities of the state for the 2027 fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Estate Surveyor Moses Teibowei, disclosed that Governor Diri had approved the rehabilitation of internal roads in Yenagoa, including the Old Okaka Road.

He assured residents that government was committed to addressing road infrastructure challenges across the state and maintaining collaboration with federal agencies, particularly the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Representatives of women groups, youths, community development committees and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders, participated in the question-and-answer session and made contributions towards shaping the 2027 budget.

~ Hot News Reporters
Monday, 14, September, 2026