Bayelsa Councils Berated Over Lack Of Projects Despite Huge Allocations

Despite the Supreme Court judgment granting monetary autonomy to native governments in Nigeria, considerations are mounting in Bayelsa State over whether or not the eight councils have gained real management of their allocations and translated the funds into seen growth.

More than a yr after the judgment, stakeholders say many communities have little to point out for the sources accruing to their councils, elevating questions on monetary accountability, the function of the state authorities and the efficiency of council chairmen.

A public affairs commentator, David West, faulted the non-implementation of the judgment in Bayelsa, alleging that the state authorities nonetheless managed the disbursement association.

He argued that allocations reportedly made to the councils didn’t essentially imply that their chairmen had direct entry to the funds.

“The Supreme Court judgment has not been enforced. The state joint account arrangement is still in place. We cannot confidently say that the councils are receiving their allocations directly,” he mentioned.

West referred to as on the Federal Government, notably the Attorney-General of the Federation, to make sure the enforcement of the judgment. He additionally urged the National Assembly to handle constitutional provisions affecting native authorities administration.

Assessing the efficiency of the eight council chairmen, West rated them beneath 4 on a scale of 10, saying there was inadequate proof of tasks executed throughout the native authorities areas.

“My rating for them is low. On a scale of one to 10, I rate them below four. They should come out and tell the people the roads they have constructed and the projects they have executed,” he mentioned.

Referring to figures from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation exhibiting allocations to the councils in August 2026, he mentioned residents deserved explanations on how the funds have been utilised.

“We should be seeing evidence of capital projects across the local government areas. I am not talking about salaries and wages. I am talking about projects that will benefit the people,” he added.

An environmental activist and group stakeholder, Morris Alagoa, additionally expressed dissatisfaction with native authorities service supply, describing the availability of primary facilities as poor.

Alagoa, who hails from Ondewari group in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, mentioned his group had recorded no identifiable venture sponsored by the council in additional than 10 years.

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He listed the absence of potable water, bathroom amenities, concrete walkways, jetties and reduction supplies for flood victims among the many challenges confronting residents.

“It is very sad and unfortunate that the performance of local governments in terms of service delivery in mere basic amenities is abysmally low and almost non-existent. This is unacceptable,” he mentioned.

Alagoa recognized the two.7-kilometre bush path linking Ondewari to Oporoma, the native authorities headquarters, as one of many tasks that ought to obtain consideration.

He mentioned clearing and establishing the route would ease transportation difficulties and create financial alternatives for industrial motorbike operators.

The activist urged journalists to go to communities throughout the state to doc tasks executed by native governments and expose areas the place elected officers had did not ship.

Another stakeholder, Ebi Egbe, referred to as on residents and civil society organisations to carry the eight council chairmen accountable for the administration of public funds.

He mentioned native authorities allocations ought to translate into higher healthcare, high quality training, improved rural roads, clear water and human-capacity growth.

“I will personally hold all eight Local Government Area chairmen in Bayelsa State accountable and, where there is credible evidence of financial mismanagement or diversion of public funds, I will petition the ICPC to investigate,” he mentioned.

Egbe additionally referred to as for public disclosure of council allocations, venture prices, contractors, implementation timelines and proof of accomplished tasks.

Similarly, Ebiokpo Amiemo mentioned the demand for accountability was essential, notably in an oil-producing state like Bayelsa, the place communities continued to expertise poverty regardless of substantial income inflows through the years.

He questioned how some public officeholders acquired costly properties and maintained existence that appeared inconsistent with their authentic earnings.

Amiemo argued that prudent administration of public income might enhance entry to healthcare, training, electrical energy, inexpensive housing and welfare assist for unemployed residents.

He urged journalists and accountability advocates to research alleged monetary mismanagement with out political bias.

Also expressing dissatisfaction, George Domo-Spiff described native authorities autonomy in Bayelsa as largely present on paper.

He alleged that council chairmen remained politically depending on the governor fairly than exercising the monetary independence anticipated of them.

Another stakeholder, Lovaday Albert, reportedly described Brass Local Government Area as one of many worst-performing councils, citing the absence of seen tasks.

Meanwhile, efforts to acquire the place of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have been unsuccessful.

The state NULGE President, Comrade Thankgod Singer, mentioned throughout a phone dialog that he was attending a gathering and advised that an in-person dialogue could possibly be organized the next week. He subsequently ended the decision when requested to briefly deal with the problems over the phone.

Similarly, makes an attempt to achieve the Bayelsa ALGON Chairman, who can also be Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Hon. Tariye Isaac Lelei, for feedback have been unsuccessful. He neither answered nor returned calls and messages as of the time of submitting this report.