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Demands answers on high rate of poverty, hunger
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has again launched a broadside against the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government following its defence of the ₦100 billion stadium project under construction at Igbogene in Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The Publicity Secretary of the APC, James Wilson Inegite, had, in a statement reacting to the PDP’s criticism of the stadium project, defended the infrastructural projects of the Senator Douye Diri administration, insisting that they were designed to stimulate socio-economic development through sports tourism, youth empowerment, and increased commercial activities.
However, in a swift reaction, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Ikaebimo Mark, expressed disappointment that the APC failed to address concerns over the worsening economic hardship confronting Bayelsans but instead chose to defend the Diri administration’s decision to commit ₦100 billion to the construction of a new stadium.
The PDP pointed out that the APC opted to attack the opposition party rather than provide answers to Bayelsans on the increasing rates of poverty, hunger and unemployment in the state.
According to the party, its position remains unchanged as it demands that the APC-led government should explore ways “to create employment for our teeming youths, revive struggling businesses, and improve the purchasing power of ordinary Bayelsans.”
“The PDP has never opposed infrastructure development. We recognise that roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and sporting facilities are necessary for development. However, infrastructure development is most meaningful when it creates opportunities, improves living standards, and enhances the quality of life of the people. Infrastructure must catalyse economic growth, industrial expansion, private investment, job creation, and improved household incomes,” it added.
The opposition party maintained that Senator Diri’s disclosure that the 25,000-capacity stadium would cost more than ₦100 billion naturally raises legitimate questions about priorities and value for public funds.
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“Bayelsans deserve to know the project’s economic justification, its long-term sustainability, its expected returns, and the number of permanent jobs and business opportunities it will create beyond the hosting of occasional sporting events,” it stated.
The PDP urged the Senator Diri-led government to assure Bayelsans that major public projects are deliberately structured to maximise local participation by engaging qualified Bayelsa professionals, contractors, artisans, suppliers and businesses.
It explained that public investment should stimulate the local economy, strengthen indigenous capacity and ensure that the benefits of government spending circulate within the state’s economy.
On the proposed upgrade of the Samson Siasia Stadium, the opposition party noted that it had been vindicated in its earlier concerns over the deliberate neglect of the sporting facility by the APC-led government.
It admonished the APC-led government to move beyond rhetoric and embark on timely, strategic investments that genuinely promote sports development, create employment opportunities and deliver measurable economic benefits to the people of Bayelsa State.
“As a responsible opposition party, we remain committed to constructive engagement. We will continue to support every sincere policy capable of improving the welfare of Bayelsans while holding the government accountable where necessary. Accountability is not hostility; it is an essential pillar of democracy and good governance,” the opposition party stated.
