Despite N99 billion revenue to Bayelsa abandoned projects beg for funding

  

 Despite N99 billion revenue to Bayelsa abandoned projects beg for funding

In spite of a whopping N99 billion that accrued to Bayelsa in 2016, many ongoing projects in Bayelsa State are suffering from poor funding by the State Government.

The figures obtained from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicate that Bayelsa received N99 billion between January and December 2016 from the federation account alone and the state owes workers an outstanding salary for six months in the out gone year.

The above does not include a N40 billion loan obtained for the airport projects and the N14 billion refunds from the Paris club loans and the bail out funds.

A recent loan of N3bn approved by the Bayelsa Assembley to finance the acquisition of cars for the legislators, GovDickson and his deputy as well as security services had sparked off public outrage in the state.

The funding gap suffered by various  project sites was noticed by team of journalists on an independent tour of ongoing projects across the state.

The 2-day project tour initiated by the leadership of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council under the chairmanship of Comrade Kola Oredipe, inspected projects covering various sectors of Education, Infrastructure, Health, Agriculture and Tourism.

Among the project sites visited were the Bayelsa West Senatorial road linking Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government, Africa University, Toru-Orua, Cassava and Poultry Farms in Ebedebiri, Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, and Bayelsa International Airport, Amassoma.

Other projects visited were the Aquaculture farm estate in Akenfa, Opolo-Elebele road, dualisation of Isaac Boro Express way, Elebele-Bayelsa Palm road section of the outer ring road, the Pavillion at Ox-Bow Lake, Diagnostic Centre, Imgbi road and the Samson Siasia Sports Complex.

At the Bayelsa Airport, the contractor handling the runway, apron and a terminal building said contrary to the earlier reports that the project is almost ready, work done so far is just about 45 per cent completion.

According to the Assistant Project Manager, Dantata and Sawoe, Engr Samson Anedi, work is progressing at the apron, runway and terminal building but that the project is suffering from funding.

“ Project has 3 km runway. Mandate to deliver as one of the best in the South-South..To surpass that of Port Harcourt. Classed as Category D, the airport is made up of 200 square meters Apron where cargo and planes will park.

“A lot of sand filling done initially due to swampy nature of the terrain. Apron casting is about 35% complete and can accommodate four 747 cargo planes when completed.

“Taxing way suspended at the moment due to some issues.”

Anedi who said with proper funding, the project should be ready for the first flight sometimes in October this year added that aviation Authorities are already on ground to supervise the work to standards and specification.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr.Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, had said last year that the first flight would land at the airport by December last year.That did not happen.

At the Toru-Orua-Ekeremor road project, Project Engineer, Mr. John Emonyon, said the about N25 billion naira 38 kilometre project, has reached Ofoni community in Sagbama Local Government Area.

According to him,   sand filling is over 11 km while stone base is about 8.5 km on the road which has connected three communities of Toru Orua, Angalabiri, and Ofoni.

Emonyon, also noted the challenges of funding from the state government and that the contractor could deliver the project within the next 2 years with adequate funding.

Emonyon said, “ we can deliver in shortest possible time depending on all the factors. Work is going on. Even sand filling is being done from the Ekeremor end.

 In the next 2 years, we can finish it with adequate funding. Although, a lot of things have changed now in terms of cost of building materials. Rise in building materials is part of challenges. Variation might come in too. The company has a cordial relationship with host communities. We have enjoyed peace working here with no incidence of kidnapping so far.”

It was a similar scenario at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, the renovation work appears to be slow.

According to the Chief Security Officer to the Project, Mr. Teddy Bali, all the civil engineering work had been done and that installation of the synthetic grass is expected to commence anytime soon.

He also said that the project was suffering from funding, major reason it has not been completed.

The renovation of the sports complex was expected to be completed last year.