Bayelsa Cargo Airport Not Being Flooded, Gov Dickson Replies Oshiomhole

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state denied insinuations by the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole that the newly constructed Cargo Airport is being flooded.

Dickson while conducting Journalists round the airport runway on Friday, explained that what is delaying the full commencement of the operation in the airport is the regulatory agencies, who are yet to  give approval for the airport to be used.

He also said that the expended acquisition of land, clearing, sand filling and actual construction of the airport is N70 billion, different from the N100 billion Oshiomole accused the state government of spending to build the airport.

Oshiomole during a meeting with the immediate past Minister of state for Agriculture and APC governorship aspirant during the last primary of the party, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and some state governors yesterday accused Dickson of spending N100 billion on the flooded airport.

He said: “It is clear from this visit that former Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State lied when he was quoted as having said that the Airport runway is flooded, all the visitors confirmed that the 3.5km runway was high above flood level.

“So the question is why is a fellow South South person deliberately maligning another governor from the region, is this the way to play politics, even with the development of the people.

“This is the height of flood in Bayelsa state, but as you can see, there is no flood here, we reclaimed this parcels of land before starting the construction, this airport has one of the best runways in this country, so we will not join Oshiomhole in playing politics with for turn of our people.” He said.

The manager from Dantata and Sawoe construction company, Mr Andrea Battistelli, said that the airport is well constructed and can never be flooded, despite the fact that its situation a difficult terrain of Bayelsa State.