Bayelsa State Government has announced a revision of the state’s 2020 budget from the initial N242.18 billion naira to N183.15 billion.
Governor Douye Diri explained that the revised budget is in accordance with the state’s amended Fiscal Responsibility Law of 2009 and due to the negative effects of COVID-19 on the economy.
The Governor noted that the sharp drop in the international price of crude oil from 55 dollars per barrel benchmark to about 20 dollars, crippled the country’s economy that is largely dependent on the proceeds from oil.
Senator Diri while giving a breakdown of the proposal and amendment of the budget, allayed fears of an impending salary cut for civil servants in the state, due to the drop in the monthly revenue, occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He, however, stressed that given his administration’s priority on workers’ welfare, the slashing of the budget would not affect civil servants’ salaries, as the government has placed modalities to ensure that wages are paid, as and when due.
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Making clarification on the proposed flyover at Etegwe/Edepie roundabout axis, he explained that the government had to undertake other options, before embarking on the flyover project.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
