PDP faults Diri’s N100bn stadium project, demands jobs, food security

‎The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has criticised Governor Douye Diri’s proposed N100bn, 25,000-capacity stadium project, urging his administration to prioritise job creation, food security and poverty reduction.

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‎In a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Ikaebimo Mark, the opposition party said while it was not opposed to infrastructure development, government spending should focus on projects capable of creating employment, stimulating local businesses and improving residents’ living standards.

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‎The PDP accused the Diri-led All Progressives Congress administration of responding to criticism with “abuse and political name-calling” instead of addressing rising hunger, unemployment and poverty in the state.

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‎“The Diri-led APC administration should answer the questions of hunger, unemployment and poverty instead of attacking the messenger.

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‎“Abuse and political name-calling cannot reduce the price of food, create employment for our teeming youths, revive struggling businesses, or improve the purchasing power of ordinary Bayelsans. The people deserve answers, not insults,” the PDP said.

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‎The party said the proposed stadium project raised legitimate questions about government priorities and the prudent use of public funds.

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‎It added, “Infrastructure development is most meaningful when it creates opportunities, improves living standards and enhances the quality of life of the people.

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‎“This is why the Governor’s disclosure that the 25,000-capacity stadium will cost over N100bn naturally raises legitimate questions about priorities and value for public funds. Bayelsans deserve to know the project’s economic justification, its long-term sustainability, its expected returns, and the number of permanent jobs and business opportunities it will create.”

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‎The PDP also questioned why the Samson Siasia Stadium had yet to become a hub for sports development and economic activities, saying the government’s recent decision to upgrade the facility amounted to an admission that it had been neglected.

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‎“The recent revelation that the Samson Siasia Stadium is now being earmarked for an upgrade after over six years of the present administration is an implicit admission that the infrastructure had been neglected despite repeated claims of unprecedented investment in sports development,” it stated.

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‎The opposition party further criticised the state of public transportation and water supply, alleging that residents had been left to rely on commercial tricycles while Yenagoa still lacked a functional public water system.

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‎“A state whose economy is solely dependent on monthly federal allocations cannot reasonably justify spending a whopping N100bn on a stadium simply because it wants to host the National Sports Festival. That is a misplaced priority,” the PDP added.

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‎The PDP called on the state government to launch a comprehensive economic recovery, wealth creation and food security programme with measurable targets for employment generation, industrialisation, investment attraction and poverty reduction.

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‎It added that it would continue to support policies that improve the welfare of Bayelsans while holding the government accountable.

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