Bayelsa PDP faults ₦1.24tn budget, decries rising poverty

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

The Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State has accused the administration of Governor Douye Diri of failing to address worsening poverty, hunger and unemployment despite huge budgetary allocations.

The opposition party also faulted the proposed ₦1.24tn 2027 budget, describing it as unrealistic in view of what it called the poor implementation of the state’s 2026 budget.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ikaebimo Mark, the PDP expressed concern over the reported 15 per cent performance of the 2026 budget, describing it as evidence of weak implementation and failure to deliver meaningful development to residents.

It lamented that many households across the state were still grappling with multidimensional poverty, rising living costs, unemployment and inadequate access to essential services.

The party said, “For many Bayelsans, the 2026 budget has yet to translate into improved living conditions, as a significant proportion of residents continue to grapple with multidimensional poverty, rising living costs, unemployment and limited access to essential services.”

It argued that the effectiveness of any government budget should be determined by its impact on citizens’ welfare rather than the volume of funds appropriated.

“A budget’s true measure is not the amount appropriated, but the positive difference it makes in the lives of the people,” the statement said.

Questioning the justification for the proposed ₦1.24tn 2027 budget, the PDP said the state government had yet to demonstrate its capacity to effectively implement existing budgetary commitments.

It also faulted the proposed fiscal document for allegedly failing to provide clear and practical strategies for tackling poverty, hunger and unemployment.

The party maintained that residents needed tangible improvements in critical sectors, including electricity, healthcare, education, food security and employment, rather than impressive budgetary figures.

“Bayelsans need more than huge budget figures; they need reliable electricity, functional healthcare, affordable education, food security, job opportunities and an enabling environment for businesses and industries,” it added.

The opposition party stressed that government spending must be guided by transparency, accountability and measurable development outcomes capable of improving the living conditions of ordinary residents.

It challenged the Diri administration to explain how the proposed 2027 budget would address the economic difficulties confronting households and create opportunities for unemployed residents.

The PDP also urged the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to subject the proposed budget to thorough and transparent legislative scrutiny, warning against approving it without critically examining its provisions.

“Lawmakers must discharge their constitutional responsibility by interrogating the assumptions, examining the allocations and demanding clear implementation targets that address the pressing needs of Bayelsans,” the party said.