Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has presented a proposed N1.24tn 2027 budget to the State House of Assembly, allocating 68 per cent to capital expenditure, with emphasis on roads, bridges, education, healthcare and other critical infrastructure.
The budget, christened “Budget of Assured Prosperity for Sustainable Growth and Development,” is based on projected revenue of N1,242,688,970,520.22 and was presented to the lawmakers on Tuesday for consideration and passage.
Diri described the proposal as historic, being the first budget presented as Bayelsa enters its fourth decade, adding that it was prepared after consultations with traditional rulers, technical experts, the organised private sector and citizens across the state.
He said the administration’s fiscal priorities remained the provision of roads and bridges to connect communities, improved healthcare and education, reliable electricity and an enabling environment for businesses and families.
Giving a breakdown of the estimates, the governor proposed N840.791bn, representing approximately 68 per cent, for capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure stood at N401.897bn, or 32 per cent.
The proposed budget is about 22 per cent higher than the N1.016tn approved for the 2026 fiscal year.
Diri said several strategic projects at advanced stages of completion would receive priority attention in 2027. They include the Ekeremor-Agge Road Phase I, Nembe-Brass Road Phase I, Akaba-Ayakoro Road with a spur to Otuegwe 1, Glory Drive Phase III, Agbere-Elemebiri Road, the 30,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene and the nine-storey state secretariat complex.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing construction of the three senatorial roads would connect all local government headquarters to the state capital and open up coastal communities for increased economic activities.
“With work progressing on all senatorial causeways, we are moving closer to an ambition our people have held since the creation of the state: to connect the capital to every local government headquarters and open up access to our coastal communities. This will boost fisheries, marine and blue economy enterprises, and tourism,” he said.
The governor added that the projects demonstrated that Bayelsa’s difficult terrain would not prevent the state from pursuing ambitious development goals through proper planning and prudent financial management.
In the sectoral allocation, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure received the largest share of N422.84bn, followed by Education with N126.97bn and Sports with N68.50bn.
Health was allocated N53.32bn, Security N24bn, Public Utilities N22.94bn and Agriculture N17.74bn.
Diri charged the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to ensure effective coordination, transparency and accountability in the implementation of the budget.
He said the government would continue to improve model schools, support accreditation of programmes in tertiary institutions, strengthen science and technical education and introduce digital learning tools in schools.
The governor also disclosed plans to increase the capacity of the state’s 60-megawatt independent power plant to 100 megawatts and prioritise water supply in 2027.
He said the allocation to the sports sector would accelerate construction of the Igbogene stadium as Bayelsa prepares to host the National Sports Festival.
Responding, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Ogbere, commended Diri for what he described as the successful implementation of the 2026 budget and praised his leadership.
Ogbere described the governor as a peacemaker and bridge-builder, noting that roads and bridges had been constructed across 80 per cent of communities in the state. He expressed confidence that the projects outlined in the 2027 proposal were achievable.
The Deputy Speaker assured the governor of the support of the Seventh Assembly and promised speedy consideration of the estimates.
The Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou, subsequently moved a motion for the House to pass a vote of confidence in the governor and his administration. The motion was unanimously endorsed by the lawmakers.
