The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has assured residents that the local government reforms introduced by the state government will surpass their expectations in terms of impact and benefits.
Ewhrudjakpo made this statement on Friday during a meeting with the chairman and 15 councillors of Yenagoa Local Government Area at Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement released on Sunday by his media aide, Mr. Doubara Atasi, the deputy governor noted that the reforms had already transformed the councils in several ways, particularly in financial stability and service delivery.
He recalled that when the present administration assumed office in 2020, many local government councils were struggling with severe financial distress, making it difficult to pay workers’ salaries. However, he emphasized that such financial challenges were now a thing of the past.
Ewhrudjakpo said: “Today, councils not only pay salaries promptly but have also embarked on impactful projects at the grassroots level, thanks to the fiscal responsibility measures introduced by the state government.”
As the supervisor of the local government councils, he reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting them, describing councils and rural development authorities as “veritable platforms for the distribution of the dividends of good governance.”
Addressing the concerns of councillors, including requests for furniture allowances, Ewhrudjakpo urged patience and cooperation with their respective chairmen. He stressed that monthly allocations to councils were meant not only for politicians and workers but also for providing essential services and amenities to residents.
He said: “One message we have been preaching is that the monthly allocations coming to the councils are not meant for the politicians and workers alone.
“It is also meant for the provision of solar lights, concrete roads, and other basic amenities so that the people at the grassroots can feel the impact of government.”
The Deputy Governor also commended stakeholders in the local government system, including labour unions, for their cooperation in achieving a computerized payment system for local government workers.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bulodisiye Ndiwari, expressed appreciation to the deputy governor for his proactive leadership. He also praised the successful implementation of the oracle mode of payment for workers’ salaries, which commenced last month.
Earlier, the Leader of the Yenagoa Legislative Council, Mr. Gift Disin, appealed to the deputy governor to intervene in the payment of councillors’ furniture and other outstanding allowances. He assured continued support and loyalty to the Prosperity Government.
