IT HAS NEVER BEEN THIS BAD FOR BAYELSA”, DICKSON LAMENTS DWINDLING FEDERAL ALLOCATION

 

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday lamented the poor financial position of the State, saying that the State received N2.9 billion only from the federation account for the month of January.

Allocation from the Federation Account for the month of January available for sharing this month by the tiers of government was N370.38 billion. The amount was N17.38 billion less than what was shared last month as allocation for December 2015.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, weekend in Yenagoa, the State capital during the inauguration of three new Special Advisers, Dickson called on the Federal Government to take drastic measures to turn the tide of the harsh economic climate confronting Nigerians.

According to the governor, who was recently sworn-in for a second term in office, the state government got the allocation after deductions at source, including bonds incurred by the previous administration.

He noted that it was becoming increasingly difficult for the State government to meet its financial obligations. “I have not seen anything like what has just been reported to me by the finance team. Read more at:

For this month, what has come into our state is N2.9 billion; it has never been this bad. Meanwhile, our salary obligation for civil servants alone, is about N4 billion, so you can see where we are, as a State.

“Four years ago, when this government started, the first allocation we received was about N16 billion. At some point, it climbed to N18 billion and even N19 billion. And that was why we put all your resources in most of these ambitious projects that a number of them, including the Ogobiri Bridge, first fly over and several roads have been completed”, he said.

While advising Bayelsans, particularly the workers, to show greater understanding, Dickson said the State government would be compelled to take hard decisions after due consultations with stakeholders.

Delivering his charge to the new special advisers, the governor stated that they were re-appointed in appreciation of their meritorious service to the state in the last four years, while describing them as resourceful, tested and tried apostles of the restoration government.