Bayelsa State Governor, Hon.?Seriake?Dickson?Tuesday?adduced paucity of funds as the reason for the delay in the commencement of real construction work on the proposed second flyover at the Etegwe area of Yenagoa, the state capital.The Governor, who spoke through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, however, said other imperatives?preparatory?to the successful take-off of the project were being addressed.
According to the statement, the state government has paid about five hundred million?naira?as compensation to residents and property owners, whose properties are going to be impacted by the project, which the governor described as masterfully designed by construction giant, Julius Berger, to ease traffic and add to the aesthetic beauty of the city.
Hon Dickson, who reassured Bayelsans of his administration’s commitment to completing both inherited and new projects in the state, noted that, necessary?steps including?prioritization of projects were being taken to finish and put them to use with a view to raising the people’s living standards.
He said: ” I have already paid five hundred million?naira?compensation to residents in that Etegwe area, believing Julius Berger, that was given the contract should have started, but we discovered as our finances were going down, we had to tell them to focus on the NNPC Flyover first, so that, if our finances improve or we are able to get more money, we will now start the Etegwe project.
Throwing more light on the funding of the projects, he flayed disgruntled politicians, who are envious of the achievements of the present administration and spreading unfounded?rumours, adding ” These are projects designed, awarded, paid for and supervised by our government, and hopefully, will be completed and put to use by our people.”
” And yet people who want to contest election, who have failed before, that are scared of what we are doing and with our performance won’t be able to raise their head. They come to spread one story or the other after paying small boys ten thousand?naira?and send them to stay in buses and market places to talk. But, let me assure you that, we will do that flyover too, and it will add to the beauty of the city as well asdecongest?traffic. That is the plan, because we are in a hurry to see development.
Continuing, he said the first flyover, which is also being handled by Julius Berger, was almost completed, stressing that, the Etegwe and proposed third flyover project at Igbogene would kick off as soon as the revenue profile of the State improves.
The Governor expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their understanding and support and urged them to be wary of the antics of mischief-makers.
His words: ” We are in a hurry to put all of them to shame. But in the process, you Bayelsans should appreciate what is good. Hold fast to what God has given to you and support what the government is doing by working day and night to make you proud, like other people, because it pains me, when people talk to us about our place as if we are such primitive people, who don’t know what is good. That, we only know how?to make?trouble and kill ourselves. And, that is the zeal that is firing us and we are not going to stop. You will still see whether we can take the Tombia-Etegwe Roundabout, but it depends on the availability of funds”
