Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticised the habit of state governors abandoning projects started by their predecessors, calling it a major cause of waste and underdevelopment across Nigeria.
Jonathan made the remarks on Wednesday, October 15, during the commissioning of the Best Western Plus Hotel in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Speaking at the event, the former President said this common practice was hurting the economy and discouraging investments. He lamented that several developmental projects he initiated as governor of Bayelsa were abandoned by later administrations, denying the state and its people the full benefits.
“As a first elected deputy governor of Bayelsa State, the governor then, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, started hosting the African Movie Awards ceremonies. It was a big event with people coming from America, South Africa and other countries,” Jonathan recalled.
He explained that the event had the potential to boost tourism and stimulate the local economy. However, due to the lack of quality hotels in the state, many international guests were forced to stay in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, instead of Yenagoa.
“The idea of a state encouraging tourism is for tourists to spend their foreign money in the state to grow the local economy. If you host a world-class event and the money ends up being spent in another state, that is a negative investment,” he said.
Jonathan said that during his time as governor, his administration approved contracts for the construction of a five-star Tower Hotel and two three-star hotels in Yenagoa. These projects, he noted, were designed to make the state more attractive to tourists and investors.
Unfortunately, he stated that these important hospitality projects were not completed by those who came after him in government.
“If these hotels had been completed on time, Yenagoa would have become a hub for investors, visitors and major events. But because some governors prefer to start their own projects instead of finishing the ones they inherit, a lot of public funds go to waste,” he said.
Jonathan’s comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to face economic challenges, with many states struggling to complete basic infrastructure like roads, hospitals, and schools.
The commissioning of the Best Western Plus Hotel, a major hospitality project in Bayelsa, was seen by many as an example of how public-private partnerships can help fill the gap left by government inactivity.
Jonathan praised the investors and developers behind the new hotel and encouraged more private sector involvement in tourism and infrastructure development. He also called on leaders to rise above party politics and personal pride when it comes to building the nation.
“Government is a continuous process. Whether you belong to the same party or not, a good project is a good project. If we keep starting and abandoning, Nigeria will never grow,” he warned.
