The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has renewed its criticism of the Bayelsa State Government over what it described as worsening poverty and hunger, arguing that attributing the state’s economic challenges to the Federal Government unfairly shifts responsibility from the Governor Douye Diri administration.

The party said blaming the APC-led Federal Government for Bayelsa’s poverty situation undermines the economic reform efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, insisting that every level of government must take responsibility for the welfare of its people.

The latest exchange follows a response by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, who defended the Diri administration against the PDP’s earlier criticism. She attributed the hardship in the state to prevailing national economic conditions and maintained that the government had embarked on several infrastructure and welfare initiatives aimed at improving residents’ living standards.

However, in a fresh statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ikaebimo Mark, the PDP argued that infrastructure development alone cannot address poverty if it does not improve citizens’ purchasing power or guarantee food security.

The opposition party described the government’s response as insensitive, claiming it reflected a disconnect from the daily realities faced by many Bayelsans.

According to the PDP, the state government has failed to identify any clearly defined and impactful programmes focused on wealth creation, job generation or poverty reduction despite having spent more than six years in office.

The party further contended that Bayelsa residents are worse off now than they were before the current administration assumed office, despite the state receiving substantial revenues through statutory allocations and the 13 per cent derivation fund.

It also questioned the government’s continued reliance on national economic conditions as an explanation for the state’s challenges, insisting that the state should account for the resources at its disposal rather than shifting responsibility to Abuja.

The PDP called on the Diri administration to immediately introduce a comprehensive economic recovery programme centred on wealth creation, employment generation and food security, with clear implementation timelines and measurable targets.

It urged the government to prioritise investments in industrial development, entrepreneurship, agricultural value chains and skills acquisition to ease hardship across the state.

The party added that it remains willing to support the government by offering practical policy proposals aimed at tackling poverty and improving the welfare of Bayelsa residents.