BAYELSA GOVT PAID N84BN OUT OF 242BN CONTRACTS AWARDED IN 28 MONTHS

19/06/2014

BAYELSA GOVT DISBURSES N84BN OUT OF 242BN CONTRACTS AWARDED IN 28 MONTHS

The Bayelsa State Government disclosed on Thursday that, it has disbursed N84bn out of the contract sum of about N242bn toindigenous 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 brief held at the Executive Council chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, the state commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor said, the disbursement was in line with the transparency and accountability stance of the present administration.

Flanked 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 disclosed that the opening up of the state through road construction would attract investments as well as boost the internally generated revenue (IGR) profile of the State.

According to him, the completion of theAgge seaport, the Cargo Airport and the three senatorial roads will reduce the dependency attitude of the people on the government, as many jobs will be created.

Reiterating the commitment of the present administration to infrastructuraldevelopment, Mr. Erhwudjapor stated that, higher percentage of the  annual budgetary provision was voted for infrastructuraldevelopment.

His words, “since April 12, 2012, when I assumed office as Works and Infrastructure Commissioner, the Ministry has embarked on the following projects; expansion of Isaac Boro-Ox-bow lake road, (11.8km),dualization of Opolo- Elebele road, (8km), flyovers at NNPC junction and Etegwe/Tombia road, Yenagoa/Oporoma road, Ogbia/Nembe/Brass road, Sagbama/Ekeremor road, Airport project, (in partnership with the Federal Government) and Tower Hotel.

Others are; Multi-door court house, Secretariat annex, expansion and dualizationof outer ring road, dualization of Azikoro road and outer ring road to tourist Island and Diete Spiff road.

Also, the conversion of Deputy governor’slodge, Construction of Helipad at the tourist Island and International motor park at Igbogene, Ecumenical worship centre at Igbogene among others.

While calling on Bayelsans to dismiss and disregard those peddling the rumour 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 monthly Transparency briefing by the governor is enough evidence to show that the projects are not only initiated, executed but also funded 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”

In line with this belief, the present administration, according to Chief Agbedi is jointly executing the multi-billion nairaInternational cargo Airport in the state.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State