Bayelsa Reveals Receipt Of Arrears Of 13 Per Cent Oil Derivation Refunds From FG

The Bayelsa government acknowledged on Tuesday that it had been getting reimbursements from the Federal Government for arrears of 13% of oil derivation proceeds.

However, it did not specify how much had been given.

Following Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike's proclamation and praise for President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the payment of the debt that had been outstanding since 1999, Bayelsa confirmed it on Tuesday.

In a statement over the weekend, Wike claimed that the Niger Delta states had been getting the monies since 2019 and he tasked local governors with explaining the sudden influx of cash.

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa responded to Wike's assertion and challenge to the governors by acknowledging that the state has been receiving the monies and allocating them to capital projects.

According to Diri, the state undervalued the funds.

In a statement sent by his chief press secretary, Daniel Alabra, Diri responded.

“For people who are talking about the 13 per cent derivation funds due to the state, I want to state that for one reason or the other, we were underpaid.

“When we discovered that, we followed the due process from the state’s Executive Council to the state’s House of Assembly.

“Approvals were given and the funds were discounted.

“I do not play politics with this kind of thing. For anybody who wants to see how we use our money, our monthly transparency briefing on our financial income and expenditure is available.

“One kilometre of the road we build in Yenagoa is costlier than three kilometres or four kilometres of road built elsewhere,’’ Diri said.