The bombings by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has given the Bayelsa State economy a severe blow, according to figures released by the State government. The figures, released by Bayelsa State Deputy Governor John Jonah, showed that the derivation revenue for the month of August was at N1 billion or N2 billion less than the previous month.
Beginning in May 2016, the NDA blew up the Nembe Creek oil pipeline and the Brass Terminal crude line, which carry crude produced by Shell and Agip, respectively.
The bombings effectively grounded oil export operations, which are responsible for the revenue drop that has placed the Bayelsa State government’s finances under strain.
Mr. Jonah listed the State’s deficits as being at least N8.9 billion total, including N1.4 billion on service bank loans, N2.1 billion for civil worker salaries, among other expenses.
SaharaReporters noted that Mr. Jonah carefully stage-managed the release of this information by presenting it to selected journalists and not allowing them to cross check the figures provided.
Non-governmental organization in Bayelsa State criticized the government during a forum two weeks ago lamenting that it severely lacked on transparency.
