Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed disappointment over the abandonment of key projects he initiated as governor of Bayelsa State, blaming successive administrations for failing to sustain his development agenda.
Jonathan spoke on Wednesday at the inauguration of the Best Western Plus Hotel in Yenagoa, where he reflected on his efforts to develop the state’s hospitality sector to attract tourism and investment before leaving office in 2007 to become Vice President.
“When a governor leaves office, the next governor doesn’t want to follow up, and most of the money spent goes to waste,” he said.
The former president recalled that his administration had supported local hoteliers with loans ranging from ₦10 million to ₦15 million to upgrade their facilities in preparation for the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), which Bayelsa hosted at the time.
“During the first AMAA event, most of the international guests stayed in Port Harcourt because Bayelsa had no suitable hotels,” Jonathan said. “So we supported local hoteliers with loans… but after I left office, nobody refunded the money, and the initiative died.”
He added that his government also awarded contracts for three major hotels — including the Tower Hotel and two three-star facilities — but the projects were never completed.
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Jonathan commended the management of Best Western Plus for establishing a world-class hospitality brand in the state, describing it as a realization of his long-held vision for Bayelsa’s tourism and investment drive.
In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri lauded the hotel’s founder, Dr. Harcourt Adukeh, for his commitment to the state’s economic development, calling the project “a landmark investment” that will boost the hospitality sector, create jobs, and attract more private capital.
He urged Bayelsans to emulate Adukeh by investing in their home state to promote sustainable development.
Also speaking at the event, the hotel’s Executive Director, Mrs. Initeme Aduke-Eromhonsele, and Dr. Adukeh described the facility as a blend of elegance, comfort, and modern design, offering a serene view of the Oxbow Lake.
The launch of the Best Western Plus Hotel, an affiliate of the global Best Western brand, marks a new chapter in Yenagoa’s evolution as a destination for tourism, investment, and premium hospitality in the Niger Delta.
