Bayelsa Councils Berated Over Lack of Projects Despite Huge Allocations

Despite the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria, concerns are mounting in Bayelsa State over whether the eight councils have gained genuine control of their allocations and translated the funds into visible development.

More than a year after the judgment, stakeholders say many communities have little to show for the resources accruing to their councils, raising questions about financial accountability, the role of the state government and the performance of council chairmen.

A public affairs commentator, David West, faulted the non-implementation of the judgment in Bayelsa, alleging that the state government still controlled the disbursement arrangement.

He argued that allocations reportedly made to the councils did not necessarily mean that their chairmen had direct access to the funds.

“The Supreme Court judgment has not been enforced. The state joint account arrangement is still in place. We cannot confidently say that the councils are receiving their allocations directly,” he said.

West called on the Federal Government, particularly the Attorney-General of the Federation, to ensure the enforcement of the judgment. He also urged the National Assembly to address constitutional provisions affecting local government administration.

Assessing the performance of the eight council chairmen, West rated them below four on a scale of 10, saying there was insufficient evidence of projects executed across the local government areas.

“My rating for them is low. On a scale of one to 10, I rate them below four. They should come out and tell the people the roads they have constructed and the projects they have executed,” he said.

Referring to figures from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation showing allocations to the councils in August 2026, he said residents deserved explanations on how the funds were utilised.

“We should be seeing evidence of capital projects across the local government areas. I am not talking about salaries and wages. I am talking about projects that will benefit the people,” he added.

An environmental activist and community stakeholder, Morris Alagoa, also expressed dissatisfaction with local government service delivery, describing the provision of basic amenities as poor.

Alagoa, who hails from Ondewari community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, said his community had recorded no identifiable project sponsored by the council in more than 10 years.

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He listed the absence of potable water, toilet facilities, concrete walkways, jetties and relief materials for flood victims among the challenges confronting residents.

“It is very sad and unfortunate that the performance of local governments in terms of service delivery in mere basic amenities is abysmally low and almost non-existent. This is unacceptable,” he said.

Alagoa identified the 2.7-kilometre bush path linking Ondewari to Oporoma, the local government headquarters, as one of the projects that should receive attention.

He said clearing and constructing the route would ease transportation difficulties and create economic opportunities for commercial motorcycle operators.

The activist urged journalists to visit communities across the state to document projects executed by local governments and expose areas where elected officials had failed to deliver.

Another stakeholder, Ebi Egbe, called on residents and civil society organisations to hold the eight council chairmen accountable for the management of public funds.

He said local government allocations should translate into better healthcare, quality education, improved rural roads, clean water and human-capacity development.

“I will personally hold all eight Local Government Area chairmen in Bayelsa State accountable and, where there is credible evidence of financial mismanagement or diversion of public funds, I will petition the ICPC to investigate,” he said.

Egbe also called for public disclosure of council allocations, project costs, contractors, implementation timelines and evidence of completed projects.

Similarly, Ebiokpo Amiemo said the demand for accountability was necessary, particularly in an oil-producing state like Bayelsa, where communities continued to experience poverty despite substantial revenue inflows over the years.

He questioned how some public officeholders acquired expensive properties and maintained lifestyles that appeared inconsistent with their legitimate earnings.

Amiemo argued that prudent management of public revenue could improve access to healthcare, education, electricity, affordable housing and welfare support for unemployed residents.

He urged journalists and accountability advocates to investigate alleged financial mismanagement without political bias.

Also expressing dissatisfaction, George Domo-Spiff described local government autonomy in Bayelsa as largely existing on paper.

He alleged that council chairmen remained politically dependent on the governor rather than exercising the financial independence expected of them.

Another stakeholder, Lovaday Albert, reportedly described Brass Local Government Area as one of the worst-performing councils, citing the absence of visible projects.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain the position of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) were unsuccessful.

The state NULGE President, Comrade Thankgod Singer, said during a telephone conversation that he was attending a meeting and suggested that an in-person discussion could be arranged the following week. He subsequently ended the call when asked to briefly address the issues over the telephone.

Similarly, attempts to reach the Bayelsa ALGON Chairman, who is also Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Hon. Tariye Isaac Lelei, for comments were unsuccessful. He neither answered nor returned calls and messages as of the time of filing this report.