The Bayelsa State government has said that it was
pleased with the just released BudgiT’s State of States Report that ranked
Bayelsa third on fiscal discipline and financial viability among 35 states
assessed in the country.
Bayelsa made a significant leap in the latest report
as the state was ranked 16th last year.
BudgIT, an
independent organisation that assesses subnational fiscal performance, revenue generation, debt sustainability,
facilitates civic engagement, budget reforms and effective service delivery.
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Treasury,
Accounts and Revenue, Mr. Timipre Seipulou, spoke on the new ranking during the
202nd State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on
Wednesday.
According to Seipulou, the assessment organisation
focused on debt sustainability, fiscal viability and sector spending in ranking
Bayelsa third in revenue reforms and sectoral capital expenditure.
He noted that Bayelsa also ranked fifth on debt
sustainability, and in fiscal viability the state ranked second across the
country.
Seipulou explained that between 2024 and 2025, the
state’s expenditure on capital projects rose from 57 per cent to 80 per cent,
with BudgIT noting it as a significant improvement.
Quoting the budgeted capital expenditure per capital
analysis, the governor’s aide said that Bayelsa recorded N290,492 per citizen,
which is the highest in the country.
His words: "The BudgiT, an independent
organisation, engages in facilitating civic engagement, budget reforms and
effective service delivery. In its financial assessment of states, it ranked
Bayelsa third on fiscal viability, debt sustainability and sector spending.
"BudgiT considered fiscal viability, which
ensures that your state has standard revenue reforms. This was based on three
criteria, including debt sustainability, to show if your state was sustainable
when it comes to debt compared to your revenue base.
"Secondly, they looked at sector spending, which
considers whether you are spending income appropriately across all sectors of
the economy.
"This shows that the governor, Senator Douye
Diri, is taking Bayelsa State in the right direction and this is highly
commendable, because Bayelsa has a positive global recognition when it comes to
fiscal accountability and transparency."
At the meeting, the governor was presented awards from
various organisations.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, who represented
the governor at the event, presented to him the Best Agriculture Friendly
Governor Award from the All Farmers Association Nigeria (AFAN).
Dr. Akpe said the award was bestowed on the governor
during the recent World Food Day celebration in Yenagoa for being
agriculturerally innovative and supportive.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Sports Development,
Hon. Daniel Igali, presented a medal and plaque from the United World Wrestling
(UWW) Bureau for the governor’s support to sports development, especially
wrestling.
Also, the Special Adviser on Political Matters, High
Chief Collins Cocodia, presented a Good
Leadership Award to the governor from the
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, bestowed on him during the 2026 Igbo Day celebration in
the state.
Receiving the awards, Governor Douye Diri thanked the
three arms of government and all Bayelsans for their commitment in ensuring
that the state grows into a progressive society.
According to Diri, "we like to do more things
even if people do not acknowledge them
but l am happy that the world recognises them.
"This is not good news for only me and the
executive, but it is good news for all Bayelsans. We want to appreciate all
those who are working hard across all arms of government for their commitment
to ensuring a better future for our children."
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