Daily Independent (Lagos)
Emma Gbemudu
13 October 2008
Yenagoa — Bayelsa State House of Assembly at the weekend passed into law N24.3 billion Supplementary Appropriation Bill submitted by Governor Timipre Sylva.
The bill was speedily passed to enable the state contribute its quota towards the implementation of the National Independent Power Project (NIPP)in support of the seven-point agenda of President Umaru Yar'Adua.
The bill, classified under capital expenditure, received accelerated reading and passage with most members convening on Friday contrary to the earlier adjournment of the House to October 14.
Members of the House were, however, divided on the urgency the state government attached to the implementation of the project and the huge amount budgeted to support it.
Deputy Leader of the House, Kalabor Hawkins, Aaron Olokpa, Amalayan Yousou, Ruby Benjamin, Konbowei Benson and Walama Igrubia, supported the power project, stressing that it would give the state the opportunity to demand for proper linking to the national grid, adding that the gesture is crucial since the objective was to address the erratic power situation in the country, which made it necessary for the state to identify with the project.
But a few others were against the counterpart funding of the project, decrying the years of neglect in the state in terms of its linking to the national grid and rising cases of Federal Government's neglect in terms of development.
The state's contribution to the project has also attracted criticisms from civil society groups, as Co-ordinator of Network of Freedom Fighters in the Niger Delta, Nengi James, said Bayelsans needed an explanation from the state government on the passage of the supplementary bill and state government's counterpart funding for the project.
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