November 22, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday, disclosed that the 13% oil derivation funds accruing to the state are being prudently spent, predominantly on infrastructure development.
He stated this when he received Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd), the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the Governor stated that the administration had nothing to hide adding that the state’s monthly allocations from the Federation Account had always been made public through its monthly transparency briefings.
He, however, explained that what the state received as a 13% derivation refund from the time of the previous administration was being paid in instalments after it had been discounted.
His words: “For people who are talking about the 13% derivation funds due the state, I want to state that for one reason or the other, we were underpaid. When we discovered that, we followed due process from the state executive council to the state House of Assembly.
“Approvals were given and the funds were discounted. I do not play politics with this kind of thing. Anybody who wants to see how we use our money, our monthly transparency briefing on our financial income and expenditure are available.”
On the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the Governor called on the Federal Government not to end it as it contributes significantly to the peace and security of the Niger Delta region.
According to him, “the best thing to give to the Niger Delta is to support the programme and keep it going as it has recorded some level of success in spite of the challenges.”
While congratulating Maj Gen Ndiomu on his appointment, Senator Diri urged him to write his name in gold as he had the capacity to ensure that Niger Delta youths benefit from the programme.
He tasked the new PAP boss with infrastructure development and award of scholarships to deserving youths as well as urging the Federal Government to relocate the headquarters of the programme to Bayelsa.
In his remarks, the PAP Interim Administrator, Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd), said the programme was intended to address the agitations of the people of the region.
He, therefore, stressed the need to re-calibrate the programme to make it more meaningful and impactful.
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