Diri Seals ₦1.01tn Bayelsa Budget, Promises Full Implementation in 2026
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has signed the state’s ₦1.01 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, following its passage by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
The signing was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah.
Governor Diri had originally presented a budget estimate of ₦991.371 billion to the House of Assembly on November 13, 2025.
However, after legislative review and consultations with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the lawmakers revised the figure upward by ₦17.7 billion, representing an increase of 1.77 per cent, bringing the total budget size to ₦1.01 trillion.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at Government House, Yenagoa, Diri explained that the adjustment reflected the outcome of a detailed scrutiny process by the legislature aimed at aligning the budget with prevailing economic realities and the state’s development priorities.
The governor assured that his administration would ensure full implementation of the 2026 budget, noting that the state successfully maintained a January-to-December budget cycle in the outgoing fiscal year.
“We have demonstrated that we can keep faith with the budget cycle, and we are committed to ensuring that the 2026 Appropriation Law is fully implemented,” Diri said.
In addition to the budget, the governor also assented to six other bills passed by the House of Assembly. They include the Rural Access Funds Law 2025, the Rural Access Road Authority Law 2025, the Water Sector Law 2025, the Statistics Law 2025, the Harmonised Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law 2025, and the Bayelsa Medical University Amendment Law 2025.
Diri commended the leadership of the House of Assembly for the timely passage of the budget and other key legislations, describing the cooperation between the executive and legislative arms as critical to addressing the state’s developmental challenges.
“Let us continue to sustain this mutual understanding and working relationship to foster sustainable growth and development in our state,” he said, while stressing the importance of checks and balances in governance.
“If there is any aspect of implementation that is not going on well, the legislature should exercise its powers to ensure compliance. On our part, we will do our best to ensure the full implementation of the 2026 Appropriation Law,” the governor added.
Presenting the bills for assent, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, described the 2026 budget, tagged ASSURED Prosperity II, as more than a fiscal document.
According to Ingobere, the budget reflects the legislature’s appreciation of progress recorded under the Diri administration in areas such as infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, public utilities, education and agriculture.
He said the marginal upward review of the budget was necessary to accommodate current economic conditions and to respond to the aspirations of the people of Bayelsa State.
“The adjustment demonstrates the House’s responsiveness and adaptability to the economic realities facing the country, while remaining committed to the welfare of Bayelsans,” Ingobere said.