Group Tackles Sylva over Comments on Nembe-Brass Road

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Network of Bayelsa Professionals (NBP), yesterday took on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the November 11, governorship election in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, over his comment on the Nembe-Brass road, under construction by the Senator Douye Diri-led administration.

The group, faulted the former governor for being silent on the efforts by the current administration at linking the community with other parts of the state by road.

Sylva, while appearing on a Channels TV programme, Politics Today on Tuesday, alluded to the difficult terrain in constructing critical projects in the state but failed to mention the efforts of the Diri administration in that regard, especially the multi billion naira Nembe/Brass road.

Reacting, the Bayelsa professionals in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, described Sylva’s action as the height of mischief.

The statement signed by the group’s spokesman, Mr. Deinmobofa Tantua read in part: “Sylva, while making reference to the difficult terrain of Bayelsa state which affects rapid development in terms of constructing critical infrastructure, said he doesn’t have a road to his place. And that he had to travel 1 hour 30mins by boat each time he visits his community.

“At that point, one would have expected him to tell the world that in no distant time he would drive to his village because of the ongoing construction of the Nembe-Brass road, ambitiously being undertaken by the Prosperity Administration of Governor Douye Diri. But in outright mischief he did not. We see this as unfortunate for a man seeking the votes of his people.

“Perhaps it was because of shame that he did not. It is the same road he was alleged to have said is not economically viable and that was why he couldn’t for five years as governor make any attempt to construct it.

“In the spirit of patriotism and being a statesman that he ought to be, one would have expected Sylva not to be flippant. It is because of this attitude that we decided as group to stand by Diri because indeed Diri is better in all ramifications”.

The group claimed that the construction of the Nembe-Brass road would enhance the economy of the state and create access to the Atlantic Ocean for the state to harness its abundant natural resources.

“In the same interview, Sylva alleged that his successor sold the turbines when he left as governor.

“From available records, that is not true. Out of the three turbines, Sylva only installed one and it wasn’t functional even after it was commissioned. The Diri’s administration is now rehabilitating the three turbines via a public-private partnership.

“The company in charge will increase the capacity of the turbines from 71mw to 120mw when completed as well as build a smart prepaid meter manufacturing factory in Bayelsa,” it added.

The NBP again called on people of the state to choose Diri of the PDP on November 11, arguing that he represents the light to continue to illuminate Bayelsa’s path to greatness.