The Bayelsa State government has said it is facing dire financial challenges as a result of the incessant shift in holding the monthly federal accounts allocation committee, (FAAC) meeting.
Governor Seriake Dickson, who made the revelation during an interview with newsmen on Monday in Yenagoa, explained that the situation had caused the state unnecessary delays in payment of salaries of civil servants.
According to him, the state government cannot do otherwise, as every state in the country depended solely on revenue from the federation account to pay workers’ salaries.
Gov. Dickson maintained that in a situation where there was a delay in the holding of the monthly FAAC meeting, definitely, workers’ salaries could not be paid as at when due.
He said that in view of the prevailing economic downturn facing the nation, Bayelsa state was managing to stay afloat through government’s prudence in the management of its scarce resources.
The governor disclosed that the current economic situation in the nation had compelled the state government to commit all the available funds in the coffers of the state to salary payment.
Gov. Dickson further revealed that challenges of funds had equally compelled his administration to put on hold many ongoing developmental projects, stating that some contractors in the state were being owed to the tune of N10 to N15 million.
He, therefore, called for understanding and patience from the people, stressing that his administration was averse to mortgaging the future of Bayelsans by committing the state to unnecessary credit facilities.
“I do not want to commit the state to unnecessary borrowing and mortgage your future, because I love my people, I love my state, I am not like others who will go and take loan facilities.
“These kind of people do not care what happens to the people, that is why we have not signed the bailout funds because I am not satisfied that we will be mortgaging the future of our people.
“It is a general challenge we are all facing even at the federal level and all the states; the country is in a very serious situation. Banks are laying off people, companies too, but our state will not lay off people.
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