Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has publicly condemned the growing trend among state governors of abandoning projects initiated by their predecessors, warning that such practices undermine national development and waste public resources.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Best Western Plus Hotel in Yenagoa, Jonathan lamented that many of the projects he started as Governor of Bayelsa State were left incomplete after he assumed office as Vice President. He cited his efforts to boost tourism and private investment in the state, including hotel development, which were stalled for years before being revived.
“I am pleased to see this hotel finally completed, but it pains me to note that many of the initiatives we began to uplift Bayelsa were neglected,” Jonathan said. “Governance should be a continuum. When leaders abandon projects simply because they didn’t initiate them, the people suffer.”
Jonathan’s remarks come amid broader national concerns over stalled infrastructure and development projects across Nigeria. He urged current and future governors to prioritize continuity and focus on the long-term benefits of public investments, regardless of political affiliations.
Governor Douye Diri, who commissioned the hotel, acknowledged Jonathan’s contributions and pledged to complete other legacy projects that have the potential to transform Bayelsa’s economy and social landscape.