Bayelsa government to convert Government House to six-star hotel



So after the sum of N24 billion was allegedly pumped into building a ‘befitting’ Bayelsa Government House, it turns out that the present occupant of the governors’ office has no intention of stepping foot into the place.

The Gloryland Castle, one of the signature achievements of the former Bayelsa governor, Timipreye Sylva, for which he was so sufficiently pleased that he invited a CNN crew to a tour of the massive facility is considered too opulent by the present governor, Seriake Dickson, who has decided that rather than residing there, he would convert same to a hotel.

The Government House project was initiated by the former governor of the state and recently pardoned ex-convict, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, but his successor, Goodluck Jonathan allegedly didn’t commit to it as he did not view it as a priority.

However his own successor in office, Timipreye Sylva, dedicated resources to the project, completed it and furnished it as well – an uncommon beauty in the heart of Yenagoa, just behind the currently used Government House.

The edifice contains several state-of-the-art sitting rooms, grand bedrooms with aesthetic furnishing, exceptional toilets with bravura fittings that place the facility in a world of its own.

So why isn’t the Bayelsa governor, Seriake Dickson, moving into the palace despite the massive funds pumped into it.

In a display of modesty, Dickson said it was too much for just him.

“This castle was started by Chief Alamieyeseigha. Of course, as you know I was in the cabinet of Dr. Jonathan when he was governor. We, within that short period that we were in government, didn’t think that completing the project as at that time was a priority. But when my immediate predecessor came on board, he managed to complete it.

“So he achieved the completion, including the furnishing and all that. Now upon my ascension into office, I of course made it clear from day one that there was no way I was going to stay in this type of place. It is simply too grandiose. It is way out of format with my own personal standard,” he said.

The governor’s resolve on the matter is simple – make it a part of the state government’s tourism plan for the state. In that way, it becomes a revenue source. Hence, the governor plans to convert the opulent structure into a six-star hotel.

Hear him:

“We have decided to convert this to a 6-Star hotel. As it is, we have to suspend work. There is actually a lot of work going on in the upper floor. But in the next five to six months, around November to December I would like you to come to be part of the various tourism promotion activities that will come up at that time. Then, you are likely to meet a five or six-star hotel in this complex. Work is already ongoing. That is about it. I’m not staying here. I have no plan to stay here,” he said.

Well done, Mr. Governor.

eGuerrilla: Since it is not often that we hear of sitting governors shunning the allure of opulence, I commend this gesture.

taharqa:
GOOD....

Omen100:

what is good about nothing because nothing is been done there.

Omen100:



what gesture are you commending? were was him when the project was initiated? please don't allow yourself to be deceive by those clueless balyesan.

taharqa:

Would you take your HATE-FILLED-CUM-DEMENTED Heart elsewhere, plz; and QUIT quoting me. Some of you CLOWNS do not know when to pull a Brake on the Criticism, it makes you guys look unassailably SILLLY.

Go get a BATH or something, if you do not know what to do.

Omen100:



what gesture are you commending? were was him when the project was initiated? please don't allow yourself to be deceive by those clueless balyesan.

Omen100:
what gesture are you commending? were was him when the project was initiated? please don't allow yourself to be deceive by those clueless balyesan.

SapeleGuy: CNN are Wrong, dem dey talk lie. Gloryland Castle is a state tourism project. The house doesn't belong to Sylva.


"Our plan is to dove-tail the Gloryland Castle into the wider vision of Yenagoa of the immediate future, which will be a showpiece city for all Nigerians and the rest of the world to come and enjoy life with a lot to see,” he explained.

Perhaps in the next four years, Yenagoa will become one of the most beautiful cities in Nigeria if plans afoot are anything to go by. An international airport is being constructed, specifically for cargo operations because Bayelsa is aiming to become the largest producer of paddy rice in Africa in partnership with Thai and Vietnamese experts. It also wants to become the largest producer of fish, in league with Israeli experts.

The airport will serve as a major import and export route when plans to redesign the state’s economy from oil and gas to agriculture, commerce and tourism come to fruition."

The state is also constructing a 32-kilometre dual express from the airport into the rear of the city where the new Yenagoa is springing up. The state’s 110 kilowatt electricity supply project is expected to switch on fully next year, making it more than self-sufficient in power supply."

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/06/28/yar-adua-to-sleep-in-bayelsas-n20b-castle

Ijogz K: Can anything good come out of that state except AMAA award?

taharqa:

When Alams was initiating the Project, he was in the Opposition or so, ANPP I think (you expected he to take a gun to Alams head then, threatening to shoot if the Gov didnt stop the project, abi??).

He told us that he was part of the Alamsco government fool.


During the SHORT tenure of GEJ as Gov, he was in the cabinet then BUT the Gov (GEJ himself) didnt think the Project a priority so didnt fund it.

what do you mean by short?


When Sylva became Gov and decided to pursue the project and start from where Alams stopped, he was in the National Assembly as a member of the House of Reps (you expected him to sponsor a Bill there stopping the project??).

was jona not also a governor of the clueless state called balyesa, what of the allocations he allocated to that the same government house project fool

NOW that he is the Oga, he decides to jettison the project and in stead turn it into a Revenue yielding avenue for his State in stead of just leaving in such opulence and throwing parties, left-right-centre.

...Yet, you ask what he was doing when the project was initiated.

Dem use Criticism CURSE some of una for village.

SILLLY BIGOT. Go take a BATH or something, Goon; you seemed to have too much free time on your hand.