Diri Earmarks ₦422.8bn for Works, Infrastructure in ₦1.24trn 2027 Budget
By Jonah Fubara, YENAGOA – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has proposed ₦422.84 billion for Works and Infrastructure in the state’s 2027 budget, the highest allocation among the sectors, as he presented a total expenditure proposal of ₦1.24 trillion to the State House of Assembly.
The proposed allocation forms part of the ₦1,242,688,970,520.22 Appropriation Bill, tagged “Budget of Assured Prosperity for Sustainable Growth and Development,” which represents a 22 per cent increase over the 2026 budget.
Presenting the budget to the lawmakers, Governor Diri said ₦840.7 billion, representing 68 per cent of the total estimate, was proposed for capital expenditure, while ₦401.8 billion, representing 32 per cent, was allocated to recurrent expenditure.
Following Works and Infrastructure, Education received the second-highest allocation of ₦126.97 billion, while Sports was allocated ₦68.50 billion and Health ₦53.32 billion.
Other allocations include ₦24 billion for Security, ₦22.94 billion for Public Utilities and ₦17.74 billion for Agriculture.
Governor Diri explained that the budget, which is anchored on the 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, would prioritise the completion of ongoing road and bridge projects as well as other strategic infrastructure, particularly the senatorial causeways.
He also listed the proposed upscaling of the state’s 60-megawatt Independent Power Plant to 100 megawatts, the development of the 30,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene and the construction of the nine-storey State Secretariat Complex among the projects to be pursued under the budget.
The governor commended the Speaker and members of the Assembly for what he described as their goodwill, diligent scrutiny and robust oversight, which he said had sustained the cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
In a related development, the House approved the 2024/2025 Audited Accounts of the state following consideration of the report of its Committee on Public Accounts.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Michael Ogbere, who presided over the session, appreciated the governor for projects and programmes he described as impactful and assured that the lawmakers would give the 2027 Appropriation Bill thorough consideration.
The House subsequently passed a vote of confidence on Governor Diri.
