The Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State, George Turnah, stated that the state’s escalating financial distress stems from improper fiscal focus rather than insufficient income, calling on Governor Douye Diri to initiate extensive social support schemes.
Turnah asserted that the state administration ought to promptly enlist 20,000 young individuals into the Bayelsa Volunteer and Bayelsa Vigilante frameworks with a monthly allowance of N150,000, maintaining that such a project would concurrently address joblessness, crime, and indigence.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday soon after landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport from Abuja, he contended that the suggested scheme, projected to require around N3bn monthly, remains well within the state’s economic reach.
“The greatest challenge facing Bayelsa today is not the absence of financial resources, but misplaced priorities in public spending,” Turnah said.
He insisted that the administration ought to channel its attention toward initiatives offering prompt succour to citizens, such as clearing outstanding pension and gratuity payments, reinstating student stipends, subsidizing medical care, and providing low-cost transit.
According to him, public funding for a collection of mass transit buses would alleviate the commuting strain on citizens and boost commercial activity throughout the state.
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Turnah emphasized that authorities ought to be evaluated by the effect of their measures on the daily lives of everyday people.
“A government genuinely committed to improving the living conditions of its people would prioritise programmes that directly tackle hunger, unemployment and poverty while providing relief to families struggling with rising living costs,” he said.
The PDP leader further brushed aside claims that the 2027 gubernatorial contest in Bayelsa was already concluded following Governor Diri’s recent comments regarding the opposition’s prospects.
He stated that the upcoming poll would center on the well-being of the populace instead of political assertions.
“The people desire leadership that places their welfare first, creates jobs for young people, supports students, protects senior citizens, strengthens healthcare and grows the economy,” he said.
Turnah noted that discussions among rival political groups were approaching finalization and revealed that “an opposition coalition will soon be inaugurated in Bayelsa State with the objective of providing a credible and people-focused political alternative.”
He conveyed optimism that the citizens of Bayelsa would decide the state’s political destiny via the voting booth.
