The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the lavish celebration of the State’s 30th anniversary amid prevailing hunger, poverty and unemployment, as a shameful display of insensitivity to the plight of ordinary Bayelsans.
The party noted in a statement issued late on Wednesday that ‘While the government rolls out elaborate anniversary festivities, many citizens continue to grapple with severe economic hardship and limited opportunities.’
Bayelsa State began activities to mark its 30 years of statehood on Sunday with a thanksgiving service with the celebration culminating on Thursday with a State dinner and awards to deserving individuals.
But, the PDP contended that rather than holding the lavish anniversary celebration, the state ought to have deployed financial resources to address hunger in the face of prevailing economic hardship.
In the statement signed by Ikaebimo Mark, State Publicity Secretary of PDP, the party said that the Tower Hotel, which has remained uncompleted after 22 years since its commencement, is a monument of disgrace and ridicule to the state.
‘The Bayelsa Tower Hotel, which has hung over the heart of Yenagoa for 22 years despite the enormous public resources committed to it, has become a monument of disgrace and ridicule to our dear state’, the party said.
PDP said that its continued neglect and the abandonment of several other projects under the present administration amidst the lavish anniversary celebration, is disturbing, reckless and misplaced priority.
‘The continued neglect of this and several other abandoned projects under the present administration, while huge sums of the state’s commonwealth are expended on lavish celebrations, is a disturbing indication of misplaced priorities and reckless disregard for the prevailing economic hardship confronting Bayelsans,’ PDP stated.
According to the party, Bayelsa ought to be celebrating accountability, completed projects, jobs, economic opportunities and a priority for the welfare of the ordinary people.
It said: ‘At 30, Bayelsa deserves more than pomp and pageantry; it deserves accountability, completed projects, jobs, economic opportunities and a government that prioritises the welfare of its people.’
The PDP therefore called on the State Government to reflect on the real condition of Bayelsans and redirect public resources and attention from extravagant celebrations towards addressing the pressing needs of the people.