The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the state government’s planned N100 billion stadium project at Igbogene, describing it as a misplaced priority in the face of rising hunger, poverty and unemployment.
In a statement signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ikaebimo Mark, the PDP said although it supports sports development, the state government should focus on addressing pressing socio-economic challenges affecting residents before embarking on such a capital-intensive project.
The opposition party questioned the justification for spending over N100 billion on a new stadium while many families struggle to afford food, unemployment remains high, healthcare and education face significant challenges, and agriculture receives what it described as inadequate attention.
According to the statement, governance should prioritise projects that directly improve the welfare of citizens through investments in job creation, food security, healthcare, education, industrialisation and economic development.
The PDP also dismissed Governor Douye Diri’s assertion that the stadium project would serve as a vehicle for youth empowerment, arguing that genuine empowerment should be measured by employment opportunities, business growth, entrepreneurship development and sustainable economic opportunities for young people.
The party further alleged that the existing Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa has suffered from poor funding, inadequate maintenance, weak management and a lack of basic amenities under the current administration.
It challenged the government to disclose the number of Bayelsa youths allegedly empowered through activities at the stadium over the past six years, insisting that the existing facility should first be upgraded before constructing another stadium.
The PDP said Bayelsans deserve an explanation for embarking on multiple stadium projects when investments in industrial parks, agro-processing centres, technology hubs, vocational training institutions and manufacturing clusters could create more jobs and stimulate economic growth.
The party also called on the state government to publish details of the proposed stadium project, including its procurement process, contract value, funding arrangements, project scope, implementation timeline and projected economic benefits.
It urged Governor Diri to declare a state economic recovery initiative focused on wealth creation, employment generation and food security to address worsening hardship across the state.
While reiterating its support for sports infrastructure, the PDP maintained that such projects should complement, rather than replace, investments aimed at reducing poverty, creating jobs and improving the living conditions of Bayelsans.
The party concluded by calling on the governor to declare a state of emergency on hunger, poverty and unemployment, warning that worsening economic hardship could have serious social consequences.
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