The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has assured that local governments in Bayelsa state gets state government support beyond the financial autonomy.
The Governor said his administration will continue to give financial support to local governments in the state regardless of the judgement from the Supreme Court that granted autonomy to the councils.
Governor Diri stated this on Wednesday, during the state executive council meeting in Government House, Creek Haven Yenagoa.
In a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the Governor explained that some of the councils in the state run into deficit after paying workers and teachers and that the government will continue to augment their funds in order for them not to suffer.
He further stated that contrary to the impression that states were tampering with local government funds paid through the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC), the case of Bayelsa was different, as the government instead augmented their funds.
“My administration will continue to give full support to the local government system, regardless of the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy”.
“Unlike the impression being peddled that state governments control what goes to the local government accounts after FAAC allocation, the Bayelsa State government augments their funds, as some local councils run in deficit,” he said.
