Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed disappointment over the growing trend among Nigerian governors who abandon projects initiated by their predecessors, describing it as a major source of waste in governance.
Jonathan made the remark on Wednesday while commissioning the Best Western Plus Hotel in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where he spoke passionately about his personal experiences as a former state governor.
The former leader lamented that several developmental projects he initiated during his tenure as Bayelsa State Governor were neglected and left uncompleted by succeeding administrations.
“As the first elected deputy governor of Bayelsa State, the then governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, began hosting the African Movie Awards ceremonies where people came from America, South Africa, and other countries,” Jonathan recalled.
He noted that while the event attracted global attention, many visitors lodged in Port Harcourt due to the lack of standard hotels in Bayelsa, which prompted his administration to initiate tourism-focused projects aimed at boosting the state’s hospitality sector.
“The idea of a state encouraging tourism is for tourists to spend their foreign money in the state to stimulate the local economy. But if people come from all over the world and spend their money in other states, that becomes a negative investment,” Jonathan explained.
He disclosed that his government awarded contracts for a five-star Tower Hotel and two three-star hotels to address accommodation shortages and attract investors. Unfortunately, those projects were later abandoned.
Jonathan stressed that the habit of discontinuing inherited projects not only wastes public funds but also slows development and undermines the continuity of governance.
The former president commended the Bayelsa State Government for completing the Best Western Plus Hotel, noting that such projects would have helped position Yenagoa as a prime investment destination had they been sustained earlier.
Analysts say Jonathan’s comments reflect a long-standing issue in Nigeria’s political system, where newly elected leaders often scrap or neglect existing initiatives due to political rivalry rather than public interest.
