FG threatens to blacklist communities that vandalize devt. projects in Bayelsa

The Federal Government on Wednesday said that henceforth it will not embark of projects in communities that vandalise projects sited in the communities.

Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Senator Heineken Lokpobiri who spoke in Ekeremor noted that such acts were inimical to growth and development of rural communities.

This follows recent looting of a Skills Acquisition centre by members of the community at Kaima, in Kolokumo/Opokuma Local prior to inauguration.

The minister stated that henceforth, such communities would not benefit from new projects from the Federal Government if they continue to vandalize or fail to take proper care of projects cited in their communities.

However, he assured that communities that protect and take ownership of Federal Government projects cited in their communities will continue to attract more government attention in allocation of development projects.

The minister expressed concerns that in the past when projects are completed and commissioned, after a few months, such projects are usually vandalized by the same people for which the projects were executed to benefit.

Lokpobiri spoke when he commissioned and handed over a shoreline protection and land reclamation project built by the ecological funds office of the Federal Government for the Aleibiri community in the Ekeremo LGA.

"I have advised the beneficiaries of the projects we have commissioned today to own these projects, take these projects as their own.

“And if we hear that these projects are being vandalized, government will be very hesitant to provide more infrastructures for them again." Lokpobiri said.

The Minister described coastal erosion as a major challenge affecting all the communities in the state but expressed worry that because of the cost implications involved in the construction of shoreline protections in the areas.

He appealed to other coastal erosion prone areas in Bayelsa to be patient as the government cannnot do all of projects at the same time due to limited resources.

Lokpobiri who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion pledge the Presiden's determination and commitment to the development of the entire country no matter how remote the areas may be.

He explained that the Aleibiri shoreline project was one, out of the 16 ecological intervention projects approved by Buhari in 2017 for the community, facing erosion and environmental degradation challenges.

Lokpobiri expressed optimism that the intervention project would bring huge relief to the Aleibiri community.

He also noted that the laudable project would set the stage for more remedial measures expected to stabilize the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

Mr Yusuf Aliyu Adi, Director, Coastal Management, Ecological Funds Office, who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) at the event.

Speaking, Adi, commended the cordial relationship that existed between the contractor, and the people, which made the completion of the project on time.

Chief Michael Dimi, a Community leader in the area who spoke on behalf of the benefiting community applauded the federal government and assured that future projects will be securred and supported by the people.