Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed disappointment over the growing trend of state governors abandoning projects initiated by their predecessors.
He described the practice as wasteful and counterproductive to Nigeria’s development goals.
Jonathan spoke during the commissioning of the Best Western Plus Hotel in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where he recalled how several projects he started as governor were left unattended after he assumed the office of Vice President. He lamented that such neglect discourages continuity and long-term progress.
“When I was governor, we initiated several projects to develop Bayelsa, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors,” Jonathan said. “We supported hotel owners with small loans ranging from N10 million to N15 million to boost local infrastructure. Unfortunately, many of these efforts were abandoned after I left office.”
He explained that his administration’s vision was to make Yenagoa a tourism hub where visitors could spend their money within the state rather than outside. “Our goal was to promote economic growth through tourism and local enterprise, but when projects are not continued, the whole vision collapses,” he stated.
The former president urged current and future leaders to prioritize continuity of governance, stressing that abandoning completed or ongoing projects wastes taxpayers’ resources and disrupts the intended benefits for citizens. He added that leadership should always focus on service delivery rather than personal political gain.
Jonathan commended the management of the newly commissioned hotel for sustaining investment in Bayelsa’s hospitality industry despite challenges. He encouraged other private investors to emulate such resilience, noting that consistent development partnerships between the government and private sector are vital for sustainable growth.
