Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and his Edo State counterpart, Monday Okpebholo, yesterday, signed their states’ 2026 appropriation bills into law.

Diri signed the N1.016 trillion budget alongside six other bills into law in the Government House, Yenagoa.
 
The other legislations are the Rural Access Funds Law 2025, Rural Access Road Authority Law 2025, Water Sector Law 2025, Statistics Law 2025, Harmonised Taxes and Levies Approved List for Collection Law 2025, and the Bayelsa Medical University Amendment Law 2025.
 
Diri explained that an initial bill of N998.371 billion was presented to the State House of Assembly on November 13, and after scrutiny and consultation with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the Assembly increased it by N17.7 billion, representing 1.77 per cent.
 
He assured that the government would ensure the full implementation of the 2026 budget just as it was able to keep to the budget cycle of January to December in the outgoing year.
 
He thanked the leadership of the state Assembly for the timely passage of the bills, noting that the cooperation among the three arms of government would enable them to continue to address the developmental challenges of the state.
 
“Let us continue to keep this mutual understanding and relationship to foster sustainable growth and development of our state. But, of course, there must be checks and balances.
 
“If there is any implementation that is not going on well, exercise your powers to ensure that this law is adhered to. On our part, we will do our best to ensure full implementation of this Appropriation Law 2026.”

On his part, Okpebholo signed the N939 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law.
 
The bill, tagged the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” which was earlier passed by the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), was assented to at the Government House, Benin City, in the presence of the Speaker and members of the House.
 
Okpebholo described the budget as a strategic instrument designed to accelerate development and improve the living standards of Edo people. He noted that the budget reflects his administration’s commitment to purposeful governance.

He commended the Speaker and members of the House for their diligence and speed in considering and passing the bill. The governor described their action as a demonstration of synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government.