‘It’s Injustice, Bayelsa Produces Oil Yet Has Only 8 Local Govts While Others Have 40,’ Says Gov Diri

…Advocates national dialogue

By The9JaTREND

The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri has advocated for a national dialogue to strengthen the framework for local government council administration in the country.

Speaking at a one-day forum with the theme ‘Promoting Local Government Workers Welfare: The Bayelsa Model’ in Yenagoa, Diri commended President Bola Tinubu for his interest in repositioning local government administration.

According to him, “We cannot afford a Bayelsa that produces the oil and gas for Nigeria with only eight local government areas while others will have 40 and 44 local government areas; it is injustice.

“And so, we need a national dialogue where we can examine those things; and local government creation to be the functions of state government with the ability to fund the local government they can create.”

Governor Diri emphasized the importance of local government councils due to their proximity to the people.

He argued that states should be granted the power to establish local government areas based on their capacities and resources, thereby enabling grassroots governance.

“I am very pleased to commend the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, for his interest in local government administration.

“And you all know this from the beginning of my tenure up until today, I have been speaking about true federalism,” he said.

The governor also used the occasion to present checks for gratuities, retirement, and death benefits to retirees and families of deceased pensioners across the eight local government areas of the state, amounting to about five billion naira.

(SaharaReporters)