Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has assured Bayelsans that the state’s $4 million performance-based incentive from the World Bank will be prudently deployed to strengthen education, healthcare and local government administration.
The governor gave the assurance on Wednesday during the 190th Bayelsa State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, following reports that Bayelsa emerged among five states that qualified for the World Bank’s HOPE Governance Programme reward for outstanding reforms.
According to the World Bank, the five states will share $15 million after meeting key performance targets in education and healthcare reforms, with Bayelsa earning $4 million for its achievements across critical sectors.
Diri attributed the recognition to his administration’s sustained investments and reforms, noting that improvements in education and healthcare had become evident across the state.
He also highlighted reforms in the local government system, saying councils that previously struggled to pay workers’ salaries are now meeting salary obligations while executing infrastructure projects.
The governor pledged that the funds would be transparently utilised to consolidate the gains already recorded and further improve public service delivery.
“Our investments in health and education are visible, and the funds will be used to strengthen these sectors for the benefit of our people,” he said, urging residents to continue supporting the government’s development agenda.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Treasury and Accounts, Timipre Seipulo, explained that the HOPE Governance Programme rewards states that implement reforms capable of improving efficiency in education, healthcare and public administration.
He disclosed that Bayelsa received $1.5 million each for reforms in the education and health sectors, while local government reforms earned the state $500,000. Another $500,000 was awarded for the preparation of a citizens’ budget, bringing the state’s total incentive to $4 million.
