Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has reiterated that the state government does not interfere with funds accruing to local government councils in the state, as they all enjoy full autonomy.

Speaking at Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area during the inauguration of a 30-bed primary health centre built by the council, Governor Diri insisted that his administration only supervises the third tier of government.

He stated that the autonomy has enabled council chairmen to execute projects like the Biseni health centre.

Diri lauded the council chairman for the project, which he said was in line with his administration’s policy of making healthcare available and affordable to the people.

The Bayelsa helmsman approved an upgrade of the primary health centre to a cottage hospital and urged other local government chairmen to execute people-oriented projects in their areas.

On the issue of restoring power and constructing the road leading to Biseni, the governor said his administration will work with development agencies to make the request a reality.

He also urged the Biseni people to work together to resolve their chieftaincy issue and pick an acceptable candidate, stating that if they fail to do so, he would invoke his powers as enshrined in the state’s chieftaincy law.

“I am happy that Yenagoa Local Government is keying into what the state government is doing. Bayelsa is a state where the government does not tamper with local government funds. Local government autonomy is practised here in Bayelsa State.

“Today, we can see a performing local government chairman. This is an example for every other local government to emulate, and we expect to see more of these projects.

“Often, the federal government passes the blame to states on the issue of development, even though it gets more of the funds shared from the Federation Account. Here, your government has been using our share to develop the state.

“Having listened to my health commissioner, I hereby approve the upgrade of this facility to a secondary health centre.

“The government will also explore means of partnership with development agencies like the NDDC to construct the road from Zarama to Biseni, and while we wait for our independent power project, we will look into the option proposed by the council chairman to restore power to this area.”

Earlier, the Yenagoa Council boss, Bulodisiye Ndiwari, stated that the local government reforms under the Diri administration enabled the council to secure funds for the construction of the health facility.

He said the hospital was constructed to give the people of Biseni access to healthcare in line with the state government’s policy on health.

Ndiwari appealed to the governor to rehabilitate the road to Biseni, restore power supply and resolve the chieftaincy issue in the area.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, appreciated the council chairman and the deputy governor for their efforts in establishing a comprehensive primary health facility, which he recommended be upgraded to a cottage hospital to attract federal funding and serve more people.

He said the project was a testament to the commitment of Governor Diri to the health of the people of the state.