[From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa]
Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Wednesday approved a loan of N30 billion for the ‘Prosperity Administration of Governor Douye Diri.’
The approval followed request from the Governor for the loan conveyed to the House in a letter read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere.
Findings from the Debt Management Office (DMO) had put Bayelsa’s debt profile as at June 2021 at about N150 billion.
According to the letter from the Governor, the N30 billion loan would be deployed to fund the construction of Brass – Nembe road, completion of Yenagoa- Oporoma road, Ukubie – Yenagoa road among others.
All the lawmakers who made contributions during the debate on the loan request urged the House to expeditiously grant approval for the borrowing.Speaking at the end of the debate, the Speaker, Abraham Ingobere representing Brass constituency 3 noted that borrowing was part of government.
He said: “Borrowing is part of government. There is a section of the constitution that gives room for borrowing.
“The way and manner the money the loan will be paid back is also good. The only way to make progress is to support the government.
“If you aredoubting what the government is doing, you can go to the sites where these jobs are going on.
“Our governor is a very prudent man. Very soon, he will come and present the supplementary budget. Bayelsans should not be afraid.
“Extending roads to these rural communities is taking development to the communities. The public is also at liberty to go to the project site to ascertain what is on ground.