Diri under fire over Bayelsa's 88.5% poverty index amid N2.3trn FAAC inflow - Businessday NG

A kinsman of Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, has questioned the State’s 88.5% poverty index in view of inflows from the Federation Account amounting to N2.3 trillion in six years.

Francis Dufugha, Publisher of the Niger Delta Herald Newspapers, who also hails from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, said in a statement made available to BusinessDay on Tuesday that the governor must explain.

Governor Diri assumed power on February 14, 2020 and won a second term two years ago, and christened his administration, Prosperity Government, promising to turn around the fortunes of the state.

With less than two years left of his administration, Dufugha said: “time has come for an honest conversation about Bayelsa’s development trajectory under the administration of Governor Douye Diri.”

Dufugha questioned the measurable improvement the enormous resources accruing to the state have produced in the lives of ordinary citizens, as National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its latest Multidimensional Poverty Index placed Bayelsa’s rate at 88.5 per cent.