Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has signed the state’s N1.01 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, marking another step in the government’s fiscal planning and development agenda. The signing took place on Tuesday at Government House in Yenagoa.
The governor had initially presented a budget proposal of N998.371 billion to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on November 13. Following legislative review and consultations with ministries, departments and agencies, the lawmakers adjusted the figure upward by N17.7 billion, representing a 1.77 per cent increase.
Diri assented to the budget alongside six other bills passed by the Assembly. The additional laws include the Rural Access Funds Law 2025, Rural Access Road Authority Law 2025, Water Sector Law 2025, Statistics Law 2025, Harmonised Taxes and Levies Approved List for Collection Law 2025, and the Bayelsa Medical University Amendment Law 2025.
The governor assured residents that his administration would ensure full implementation of the 2026 budget, noting that the government successfully maintained a January-to-December budget cycle in the outgoing fiscal year. He described budget discipline and timely execution as critical to sustainable development.
Diri commended the leadership of the House of Assembly for the swift consideration and passage of the budget and accompanying bills. He said continued cooperation among the executive, legislative and judicial arms would help the state confront its development challenges more effectively.
He called for a balance between collaboration and oversight, urging lawmakers to exercise their constitutional powers where implementation falls short. At the same time, he pledged that the executive would do its best to faithfully execute the provisions of the new appropriation law.
Presenting the bills, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, described the 2026 budget, tagged “ASSURED Prosperity II,” as more than a fiscal document. He said it reflects tangible progress in key sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and public utilities.
Ingobere explained that the upward review of the budget was necessary to reflect prevailing economic realities and demonstrate the legislature’s responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of Bayelsa residents.
The signing of the N1.01 trillion budget sets the framework for the state’s spending priorities in 2026, with expectations high for improved service delivery and accelerated development across Bayelsa.
