Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has attributed the execution of life-touching projects by local government councils in the state to the financial autonomy they enjoy under his administration.
Diri, who said this on Wednesday during the commencement of the inauguration of projects in seven out of the eight councils in the state, stated that his administration does not tamper with allocations accruing to the councils, but rather assist them with N100 million on a monthly basis for payment of salaries.
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The governor also said that the prudent management of funds under the strict supervision of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the execution of meaningful projects possible across the wards and communities in the eight councils.
He said: “We are in full support of autonomy for the local government system. When we came in, we discovered that the system had a lot of challenges. Across the country, you are all aware that most state governments had been accused of dabbling into local government funds.
“But in our state, I like to put on record that this administration led by me has never requested for one naira from the local government system. The chairmen can attest to that. Rather the state government assists local governments when they have challenges.
“Local governments in Bayelsa State have been truly autonomous and have been doing their own thing. That is why we have gathered for a ceremony like this.
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