Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
Revenue accruing to Bayelsa State from the federal government’s monthly allocation has declined considerably, following the upsurge in the destruction of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region.
The state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd), who decried the activities of militants in the state yesterday, complained that the situation has worsened an already critical case due to a fall in the international oil price.
Speaking during the monthly media transparency briefing in Yenagoa, the governor appealed to youths in the state and the entire Niger Delta region to desist from the act of destroying oil installations.
He noted that the effect of the destruction, especially the blowing up of the Nembe Creek 1, 2, 3 and Trans-Niger facility was devastating to the ecology and the state’s finances.
“A lot of destruction has happened; therefore we are not expecting any improvement due to the current situation in the Niger Delta.
“The future is not that bright even if indicators point towards that direction. Already, the Trans Niger trunk line and Nembe Creek 1, 2and 3, trunk line located in Bayelsa state which links the Bonny Terminal have been affected.
“We are appealing to our brothers and sisters that in addition to the ecology, the damage is quite devastating to us as a state,” the deputy governor said.
He declared that after all statutory deductions for the month of March, just a balance of N1. 38billion was what the state had to work with.
But the deputy governor promised that in spite of the huge shortfall, the state government would honour its commitment to pay 50 per cent salaries to civil servants in the state.
Present during the briefing were the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Serena Dokubo-Spiff, Head of Service, Dr Peter Singabele, Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Duate Iyabi and members of the State Executive Council.
