Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed disappointment that most of the developmental projects he initiated during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State were abandoned after he left office.
Jonathan, who spoke on Wednesday at the commissioning of Best Western Plus Hotel, a luxury hospitality facility at Oxbow Lake, Yenagoa, said it had become a recurring problem in Nigeria for incoming administrations to discontinue projects started by their predecessors — even when such projects were funded with public resources.
“The problem of governance at the state level is that when governors leave office, their successors don’t want to continue with projects initiated by them, even though those projects were executed with state money,” Jonathan lamented.
The former president recalled how, as governor, he tried to promote private investment in the hospitality sector to make Yenagoa more attractive to tourists and business travellers.
“As the first elected deputy governor under Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, we began hosting the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), attracting celebrities from America, South Africa and other parts of the world,” he said.
“But many of them had to stay in Port Harcourt because there were no standard hotels in Bayelsa then. We realised that if tourists come to our state and spend their money elsewhere, it becomes a negative investment.”
Jonathan explained that his administration gave financial support to local hoteliers to upgrade their facilities, with the understanding that the loans would be repaid.
“We gave between N10 million and N15 million to several hotel owners to improve their facilities. Unfortunately, when I left, no one followed up on repayments, and the effort died,” he added.
“We also awarded contracts for three hotels — the Tower Hotel and two three-star hotels — but the projects were abandoned after my exit. That is the tragedy of governance in Nigeria.”
He, however, commended the promoters of the Best Western Plus Hotel for bringing a global hospitality brand to Bayelsa, describing it as a testament to the state’s growing appeal as an investment destination.
The Executive Director of the hotel, Mrs. Initeme Aduke-Eromhonsele, and its founder, Dr. Harcourt Aduke, said the facility offers a blend of elegance, comfort, and modern convenience, including lakefront views of Oxbow Lake.
“This is more than a hotel — it’s a lifestyle experience that combines serenity with luxury. We wanted to create something that reflects the new Yenagoa,” Aduke-Eromhonsele said.
Governor Douye Diri, who was present at the commissioning, praised the investors for their foresight, describing the hotel as a landmark project that would enhance Bayelsa’s hospitality industry and generate jobs for the state’s youth.
“This project will not only boost tourism but also empower our people through employment and business opportunities,” Diri stated.
The commissioning of Best Western Plus Hotel, an affiliate of the internationally renowned Best Western chain, marks another milestone in Yenagoa’s transformation into a budding hub for tourism and investment in the Niger Delta region.
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