Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of the Best Western Plus Hotel in Yenagoa, Jonathan said several hospitality and tourism projects he began before becoming Vice President in 2007 were left unattended after he left office.
“When a governor leaves office, the next governor doesn’t want to follow up, and most of the money spent goes to waste,” he lamented.
He recalled that his administration invested in the hospitality sector to make Yenagoa attractive to tourists, especially during the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), which the state hosted at the time. He said his government supported local hoteliers with loans of N10m to N15m to upgrade their facilities, but the initiative collapsed after he left office.
Jonathan also revealed that contracts for three major hotels, including the Tower Hotel and two three-star facilities, were never completed. “If they had done these hotels, visitors to Bayelsa would have had comfortable places to stay,” he added.
Despite his disappointment, the former president commended the management of Best Western Plus for bringing a world-class brand to the state, saying it reflected his original vision for Bayelsa’s tourism development.
Governor Douye Diri praised the hotel’s founder, Dr. Harcourt Adukeh, for investing in Bayelsa’s economy, describing the project as a landmark that would create jobs, boost hospitality, and attract private investment.
He urged Bayelsans to emulate Adukeh by investing in their home state, while the hotel’s management said the facility, overlooking the Oxbow Lake, combines elegance, comfort, and modern design to enhance Yenagoa’s image as a tourist destination.
