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Group Flays Bayelsa’s 2012 Budget Performance
A Non-Governmental Organisation has taken a retrospective view at the performance of the Bayelsa State budget for last year and cautioned the officials of the state government to take steps to correct lapses when implementing the 2013 budget.
Briefing journalists in Yenagoa, the Executive Director of African Leadership, Strategy and Development Centre (LSD), Dr Otive Igbuzor expressed worries that the level of recurrent expenditure including the over head cost in relation to personnel cost in the state increased from 40 percent in 2011 to 49 percent in 2012.
‘’A state with grossly inadequate social amenities and a high level of poverty evidenced by poor health and high child mortality rate inluding high levels of unemployment; should have more of the budget expenditure directed to capital projects’’
Dr Igbuzor who was represented at the press briefing by the Programme Officer of the Organisation, Mr Monday Osasah remarked that while the capital allocations may to some extent have reflected state agenda and MDGs priorities, it is important to ensure proportionality between allocations to personnel and overhead too.
The organisation remarked that in terms of actual implementation of the budget in 2012, its field officers discovered that in all sites visited non-release of fund for project execution was inherent, except in Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources where the sum N10 million was released for farmers’ data and Works where the sum of N7 billion was release for the dualisation of Azikoro, Sani Abacha Express, and Edepie/Tombia roads.
Igbuzor also noted that “repetitions of line items with same amounts abound in almost every MDA in the state which shows lack of transparency and weak legislative oversight function both at the enactment/approval and monitoring/evaluaion stages of the budget proces; the state budget still follows the incremental budgeting approach instead of zero budgeting; as a result there is lack of linkage betgween the state budget and the state policy at the general and sectoral levels’’.
The Centre LSD director recommended that in order to make the 2013 budget different, government should partner with Civil Society Organisations to undertake needs assessment that will feed into both LGAs and State budgets, carry out periodic monitoring exercise to assess level of implementation by MDAs, while relevant information should also be made available to citizens for easy tracking of projects.
They also advocate for enhanced efficiency in public expenditure management by strenghtening the capacuty of government institutions such as the Budget Office while the State Assembly should be further built to enable them carry out effective oversights functions.
Expressing gratitude to the state government for giving them opportunity to carry out the project of budget monitoring, the organisation further recommended that economic diversification should be emphasised through the development of the agro-allied processing, manufacturing and other non-oil sectors as to achieve a broader based employment generating and wealth creation economy.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene