The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has approved the removal from office of the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area, Hon. Alice Allen Tangi, and her Vice Chairman, Hon. Sufade Jefferson Tobi, over alleged gross misconduct.

The decision followed a petition against the Council Chairman over alleged failure to present monthly transparent briefings, non-presentation of the annual budget before expenditure, and failure to appear before the House when invited.

Announcing the resolution on Tuesday, during a sitting, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, said the action was taken in compliance with Section 22, Subsections 6 and 7 of the Bayelsa State Administration Law of 2000.

Ingobere disclosed that 20 members were present during the proceedings, with 17 voting in favour of the removal of the council chairman and vice chairman.

He said the resolution of the House would be communicated to the executive arm of government for necessary action.

As at the time of filing this report, information had it that the local government secretariat had already been taken over by some security agents.

In another development, the Assembly approved Governor Douye Diri’s request for funds to pay the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) to workers in the state’s universities.

Supporting the request, the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Monday Obolo, said the approval was necessary in view of the challenges confronting state-owned universities and would enhance the productivity and welfare of academic and non-academic staff.

Obolo explained that the allowances were negotiated at the federal level and would enable Bayelsa to remain at par with other states in strengthening its academic system.

He disclosed that the projected monthly increase across the state’s three universities was N564,842,691.58, adding that the amount would be incorporated into the state’s salary structure, with payment expected to commence next month.

Hon. Living Mitin, representing Ekeremor Constituency II, and Hon. Wisdom Fafin of Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency also supported the approval, saying the allowances would improve staff welfare and help prevent disruptions to the state’s educational system.

The Assembly also approved a new chart of accounts to accommodate newly created ministries, departments and agencies in the state.

According to the House, the measure is in line with international best practices and will enhance transparent tracking of government revenue and expenditure, as well as improve budgetary planning and implementation under the ASSURED agenda of the Prosperity Administration.

The lawmakers further approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF-FSP) covering the period 2027 to 2029.

The approval is expected to pave the way for the preparation of the state’s 2027 annual budget.

Explaining the significance of the document, the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Obolo, said the MTEF-FSP would provide a framework for assessing key microeconomic and macroeconomic indicators, including crude oil prices, exchange rates and inflation.

He maintained that the economic parameters contained in the document were achievable.

The Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Bernard Kenebai, commended Governor Diri for consistently submitting the document on time, describing the projections as realistic.

Meanwhile, the House took the first readings of the Universal Basic Education Board Amendment Bill 2026 and the Senior Secondary Education Board Bill 2026, marking the commencement of legislative consideration of the proposed education reforms.

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