Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has signed the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, giving legal effect to the spending plan for the coming financial year.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah. According to the statement, the signing ceremony took place at Government House in Yenagoa.
Governor Diri had earlier submitted a proposed budget of N991.371 billion to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. However, following legislative review, the lawmakers adjusted the figure upward to N1.01 trillion.
In addition to the appropriation law, the governor also signed six other bills into law during the same session. These include the Rural Access Funds Law 2025, Rural Access Road Authority Law 2025, Water Sector Law 2025, Statistics Law 2025, Harmonised Taxes and Levies Approved List for Collection Law 2025, and the Bayelsa Medical University Amendment Law 2025.
Explaining the budget process, Diri said he initially laid a proposal of N998.371 billion before the House of Assembly on November 13. He noted that after extensive examination and engagement with ministries, departments and agencies, the legislature approved an increase of N17.7 billion, amounting to 1.77 per cent.
The governor assured residents that his administration would faithfully implement the 2026 budget, adding that the government had successfully maintained a January-to-December budget cycle in the outgoing fiscal year.
He expressed appreciation to the leadership of the state legislature for the prompt consideration and passage of the bills, noting that cooperation among the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government remained critical to tackling Bayelsa’s development needs.
Diri stated, “Let us continue to keep this mutual understanding and relationship to foster sustainable growth and development of our state. But, of course, there must be checks and balances.
“If there is any implementation that is not going on well, exercise your powers to ensure that this law is adhered to. On our part, we will try our best to ensure full implementation of this Appropriation Law 2026.”
Earlier, while presenting the bills to the governor, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, described the Budget of ASSURED Prosperity II as more than a routine legislative exercise.
Ingobere said the budget reflected appreciation for progress recorded across key sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and public utilities.
He explained that the upward review of the budget was necessary to align it with prevailing economic conditions and to demonstrate the legislature’s responsiveness to the needs and expectations of Bayelsa residents.
Comments