By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has dismissed reports that construction work on the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa has stalled because the state is awaiting funding from the Federal Government.
The state government described the report as false and misleading, insisting that work on the stadium, which it said was being developed to FIFA standards, was ongoing.
The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, stated this on Friday while briefing journalists during the June and July 2026 Transparency Briefing in Yenagoa.
Koku-Obiyai said the administration of Governor Douye Diri remained committed to completing the project and providing world-class sports infrastructure for young people in the state.
She said, “There is no truth in that. That is all false. Work at the Samson Siasia Stadium, which is a world-standard, FIFA-standard stadium, is ongoing.
“The Prosperity Government remains fully committed to delivering a world-class facility for our youth. We are not waiting for anyone.”
The commissioner said the stadium remained part of the administration’s broader efforts to improve sports development and provide opportunities for youths in the state.
She also described the media as an important partner in governance, commending journalists for reporting government policies, programmes and projects to the public.
However, with the 2027 general elections drawing closer, Koku-Obiyai urged journalists to maintain professionalism, balance and objectivity in their reportage.
She appealed to members of the press not to allow political interests or personal issues to overshadow developmental matters in the state.
“Report facts. Hold government accountable. But do not become partisan players, or elevate personal issues above developmental concerns,” she said.
The commissioner also urged Bayelsans and friends of the state to participate in activities marking the “30 Years of the Glory of All Lands” anniversary.
According to her, the anniversary provides an opportunity for the people to reflect on Bayelsa’s achievements over the years and collectively envision a better future for the state.
Meanwhile, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Treasury Accounts and Revenue, Mr Timipre Seipolou, disclosed that the state government ended June with a closing balance of N38.305bn after meeting its capital and recurrent expenditure obligations.
Seipolou said more than N1.2bn remained after all capital and recurrent expenditures for June had been settled.
He explained that the amount, when added to the N37.3bn balance brought forward from May, resulted in the N38.305bn closing balance for June.
Giving an account of the state’s finances for July, the technical adviser said more than N16m remained after the payment of recurrent and capital expenditures during the month.
He said the amount, added to the N38.305bn balance brought forward from June, gave the state a closing balance of N38.321bn for July.
Seipolou, however, clarified that the N38.321bn should not be interpreted as money sitting idle in government coffers.
He said the funds were being deployed to meet the state’s capital and recurrent expenditure obligations.
“The N38.321bn is not savings as being speculated. It is being deployed for both capital and recurrent expenditures for the month of August,” he said.
He added that as of August 21, 2026, the state government had already made some capital and recurrent payments from the funds.
The transparency briefing was part of the Bayelsa Government’s effort to provide an account of its finances, projects and activities to the public.
