LP guber candidate tackles Diri over N30bn for completion of N10.2km road in Bayelsa

<p>The governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, has queried claims by the state governor, Douye Diri, that he used N30 billion to complete the 10.2km phase two segment of the Glory Drive dual carriageway.</p>, <p>Eradiri wondered how the road project, which was almost completed by former governor Henry Seriake Dickson, could still gulp such outrageous amount of money.</p>, <p>He recalled that while former governor Timipre Sylva completed the clearing component of the project, his successor Dickson carried out the sand-filling aspect while Diri was only expected to asphalt it.</p>, <p>The LP candidate, who spoke at his residence in Yenagoa on Wednesday after receiving officials of the US Consulate-General led by the Political/Economic Section Chief, Mr. Mike Elvin, said the implication was that Diri spent N3 billion to construct each kilometre of the road.</p>, <p>Describing Diri’s administration as lacking in transperancy and accountability, Eradiri asked the governor to disclose the total cost of other projects he started with the motive to brighten his chances in the poll.</p>, <p>Eradiri said: “Is this N30billion part of the money that was spent from inception or this is the one they just used to tile that road? It means that one kilometer is N3 billion.</p>, <p>” There is a huge fraud going on here. Somebody needs to explain to Bayelsans how in ten kilometers, you spent 30 billion, on a road you did not sand-fill.</p>, <p>“Sand-filling of that road was done by Governor Dickson. I have strong reservations about that amount spent on that road. The governor should also tell us all the roads, how much did you spent? Because it’s as if somebody is not doing his arithmetic properly or they are deliberately using road construction to syphon funds in this state.</p>, <p>“Tell us, the Nembe-Brass road, how much have you earmarked? How much have you mobilized? When is it going to be concluded; whether it is in your tenure or not?</p>, <p>“You tell us because these are projection