FG inaugurates secretariats Yenagoa
*As Bayelsa Govt reiterates exorbitant project cost in Bayelsa
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the Federal Secretariats Yenagoa as Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa harped on the challenging terrain that raises the cost of projects in the state.
In his remarks at the virtual commissioning ceremony, Buhari, noted that the successful completion of the secretariat projects in Yenagoa, Awka and Gusau would save the Federal Government from the expenditure of renting office accommodation for its workers in the three states.
He noted that the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Federal Secretariat which was initially pegged for N2.5 billion had to undergo a cost variation after the 2012 catastrophic flood and was completed at a total cost of N3.1 billion.
On the elevated project cost owing to the terrain peculiarities, Diri expressed hope that with this experience, the Federal Government would henceforth be more considetate in matters of project cost evaluation and execution in Bayelsa.
Diri said the Federal Government had witnessed firsthand the comparatively higher cost of executing infrastructural projects in the state.
Diri stated this at the official commissioning and handover ceremony of the Federal Secretariat in Yenagoa, which is named after former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan whose administration started the project back in 2011.
Represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Governor noted that the cost of constructing a kilometre of road in Bayelsa is required to construct four or more kilometres of the same grade of road elsewhere in the country.
Diri commended the President Muhammad Buhari-led administration for completing key infrastructural projects it inherited from the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan across the country.
“Some people who do not actually know what we are passing through in this state are quick to condemn us and make all sorts of comments about our level of development.
“But I am happy and very sure that the Federal Government haven passed through what we experience in Bayelsa State, will not make such comments. In Bayelsa here, we spend a lot of resources to clear the road and create land for construction.
“I am happy that the story will change, going forward, because they have seen that what will cost them N2 billion to build in Awka, Anambra State and Gusau in Zamfara will cost them N3 billion in Bayelsa State
“The Federal Government has seen that construction in Bayelsa here is more repulsive, resistant and difficult. The project here was billed for 2.5 billion but after the flood in 2012 it was redesigned and re-evaluated.
“While it is good that the Federal Government completed some of the projects started by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.” The governor said.
The Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Federal Secretariat Project in Yenagoa, which was handled by MS Trenur Nigeria Limited has a total of 342 offices including a post office.
It includes a banking hall and a standard conference hall named after another illustrious son of Bayelsa, Ambassador Godknows Igali.
