The origin of the New Yenagoa City project has become a subject of heated dispute, as two former commissioners of Lands and Surveys in Bayelsa State — Surv. Furoebi F.S. Akene and Tpl. Kuroakegha Dorgu — have laid conflicting claims over who initiated and executed the landmark urban development.
Akene: “I Conceived It as Tourism Island”
In a lengthy statement, Surv. Furoebi Akene maintained that he first conceptualised the project in 2012 under the title “Yenagoa Tourism Island” after being appointed the pioneer Commissioner for Lands and Surveys by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.
“I came up with the idea of a controlled modern city across the Epie Creek to avoid the haphazard growth of Yenagoa. I submitted a memo which was approved by the governor, leading to the inauguration of a committee of seasoned professionals,” Akene said.
He explained that the committee engaged Messrs Unitts Services Limited in 2012 to carry out a comprehensive topographic survey, which was certified by the Office of the Surveyor-General in 2013, though the consultants were never fully paid.
According to him, the present government is developing the city based on the original layout designed in-house by Tpl. Godknows Nathaniel and Dr. Andrew Ebakpa.
“If not for my conceptualisation of the Tourism Island and the expert work of my team, there may not have been a New Yenagoa City project today,” Akene insisted.
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Dorgu: “The Project Took Shape Under My Tenure”
But Hon. Kuroakegha Dorgu has countered Akene’s claims, saying while Akene may have identified the site, the New Yenagoa City only became a reality under his own leadership of the ministry.
“When Governor Dickson approved the project, Akene was no longer commissioner. It was under my tenure, with Surveyor-General’s supervision and Permanent Secretary Moses Teibowei’s support, that land was acquired, survey carried out, compensation paid and allocation of plots made,” Dorgu declared.
He stressed that the design in use today was prepared by Tpl. Tari Ikpeso of the Physical Planning Board, not by Akene’s team.
“My team did not use any of your survey or design. Clearing of the site, layout design, and allocation of plots were all done under me,” Dorgu insisted.
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A Lingering Debate
Both former commissioners acknowledge the roles of ex-Governor Dickson and then Permanent Secretary Teibowei in driving the project. But their clashing narratives raise questions about continuity in government and recognition of the “unsung heroes” behind one of Bayelsa’s most ambitious urban renewal projects.
As the administration of Governor Douye Diri continues developing the New Yenagoa City, the controversy over who should rightly take the credit is unlikely to fade soon.
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Profiles of the Former Commissioners
Surv. Furoebi F.S. Akene, FNIS, FNES
Pioneer Commissioner for Lands and Surveys, Bayelsa State (2012–2015).
Conceptualised Yenagoa Tourism Island as a modern controlled development.
Set up the initial professional committee and oversaw the first topographic survey in 2012–2013.
Resigned from office in November 2015.
Tpl. (Hon.) Kuroakegha Dorgu, FNITP
Commissioner for Lands and Surveys after Akene.
Oversaw land acquisition, survey implementation, compensation processes, and allocation of plots.
Supervised layout design led by Tpl. Tari Ikpeso of the Physical Planning Board.
Claims actual execution of New Yenagoa City project began under his tenure.