Worried by growing concerns by the disclosure that President Jonathan had released in excess of N40 billion to fund most of the ongoing projects, for which the Dickson administration is claiming credit, the state government publicly denied that Jonathan had no hand in the projects.
Political observers said that the course being undertaken by Dickson against his political Godfather was an indication that the relationship between the duo has gone sour.
But has it? That is a question that continues to surface as public works projects continue across the state.
The Bayelsa State Government disclosed at the weekend that it has disbursed
N84bn, out of the contract sum of about N242bn, to “indigenous and foreign
contractors” handling roads, and other infrastructural projects across the
state, in the last twenty-eight months.
Making this known during a ministerial press briefing held at the Executive
Council Chambers of Government House, in Yenagoa, the State Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor, had said that the state was funding its projects entirely from receipts from federation accounts.
Joined by the State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Deacon
Markson Fefegha, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters,
Chief Fred Agbedi, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel
Iworiso Markson, the Commissioner dismissed the assertion that President Jonathan was using his powers to favor his home state.
According to Ewhrudjakpor, ‘mischief makers’ who were jealous of the cordial relationship between Governor Dickson, and President Jonathan were peddling the rumors.
Yet, it is unclear as to which ‘mischief makers” Ewhrudjakpor is referring to.
Mr. Erhwudjapor stated at the news conference that, a higher percentage of the annual state budgetary provision was voted-in for infrastructural development.
"Since April 12, 2012, when I assumed office as Works and
Infrastructure Commissioner, the Ministry has embarked on the following
projects,” Ewhrudjakpor said. He ran-off a list that included the expansion of the Isaac Boro-Ox-bow lake road, (11.8km), and the dualization of the Opolo- Elebele road, (8km).
Flyovers by state officials were included at the NNPC junction, and on the Etegwe/Tombia road, including the Yenagoa/Oporoma road, Ogbia/Nembe/Brass road, and Sagbama/Ekeremor road.
Ewhrudjakpor said the Airport project is “the only one” being conducted in a joint partnership with the Federal Government. That project is one in which the federal government will build the terminal building, while the state government takes up work on the airport’s runways.
He also listed the Tower Hotel, as one of the projects abandoned by the Jonathan administration when he served as governor of Bayelsa.
While calling on Bayelsans to dismiss and disregard those peddling the
rumor about the various projects going on across the state, the Special
Adviser to the governor on Political Matters, Chief Fred Agbedi, said the
presentation of the Works Commissioner, and also, a monthly Transparency briefing by the governor, is “enough evidence” to show that the projects are not only initiated and executed, but also funded entirely by the state government.
“However, there is nothing wrong in going to partnership with the Federal
government in the execution of developmental projects that will be of
benefit to the people of the State,” Chief Fred Agbedi said.
In line with this belief, the present administration, according to Chief
Agbedi, is jointly executing the multi-billion naira International cargo
Airport in the state.
