Diri Presents ₦1.24trn 2027 Budget, Allocates ₦422.8bn to Works

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has presented a proposed ₦1.24 trillion budget for the 2027 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, with works and infrastructure receiving the largest allocation of ₦422.84 billion.

The proposed expenditure, tagged “Budget of Assured Prosperity for Sustainable Growth and Development,” is projected at ₦1,242,688,970,520.22.

Presenting the estimates on Tuesday, November 3, Diri said the budget was designed to sustain infrastructure development, improve public services and stimulate economic activities across the state.

He explained that the proposals were developed through consultations with traditional rulers, technical experts, the organised private sector and residents of the state.

The governor described the budget as historic, noting that it was the first to be presented as Bayelsa entered its fourth decade of existence.

According to him, the proposed budget reflects the administration’s commitment to connecting communities, strengthening healthcare and education, improving electricity supply and creating an enabling environment for businesses and households.

Of the total proposed expenditure, ₦840.791 billion, representing approximately 68 per cent, was earmarked for capital projects, while recurrent expenditure accounted for ₦401.897 billion, or about 32 per cent.

The proposal represents an increase of approximately 22 per cent over the ₦1.016 trillion budget for 2026.

Giving a breakdown of the sectoral allocations, Diri said the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure received the highest allocation of ₦422.84 billion, followed by Education with ₦126.97 billion and Sports with ₦68.50 billion.

Health was allocated ₦53.32 billion, while Security received ₦24 billion. Public Utilities and Agriculture were allocated ₦22.94 billion and ₦17.74 billion, respectively.

The governor identified several ongoing projects that would receive priority attention in 2027, particularly those nearing completion.

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 3 and Agbere–Elemebiri Road.

Others are the 30,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene and the nine-storey state secretariat complex.

Diri said progress on the three senatorial roads would bring the state closer to connecting all local government headquarters to the state capital, opening up coastal communities and expanding economic opportunities.

He expressed optimism that improved road access would stimulate fisheries, marine businesses, the blue economy and tourism.

“Our ambition has always been 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 maintained that Bayelsa’s geographical challenges would not prevent the state from pursuing ambitious development projects, adding that effective planning and prudent financial management remained essential to achieving the administration’s objectives.

On education, he said the government would continue to improve model schools, support the accreditation of academic programmes in tertiary institutions, strengthen science and technical education and introduce digital learning tools.

He also disclosed plans to increase the capacity of the state’s independent power plant from 60 megawatts to 100 megawatts, while prioritising access to water in the coming fiscal year.

Diri said the allocation to the sports sector would enable the government to accelerate construction of the Igbogene stadium as Bayelsa prepares to host the National Sports Festival.

He charged the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to ensure proper coordination, transparency and accountability in the implementation of the proposed budget.

The governor said effective monitoring would be necessary to ensure that the allocations translated into tangible improvements in the lives of residents.

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 about 80 per cent of communities in the state.

He expressed confidence that the projects outlined in the 2027 proposal were achievable and assured the governor of the support of the Seventh Assembly for its consideration and speedy passage.

Meanwhile, the Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou, moved a motion for the lawmakers to pass a vote of confidence in the governor and his administration.

The motion was unanimously endorsed by members of the House.