Paramount ruler of Okutukutu Community of Yenagoa Council area of Bayelsa State, HRH Akintola Franklyn has taken a swipe on the government over claims of the existence of purported infrastructure projects in the community.
Speaking with The Tide in Yenagoa, the royal father alleged that he received a team of investigating officials from the Federal government claiming that they were commissioned to ascertain the existence/otherwise of claims bordering on the award and execution of a 200 litres pd water project in the community.
The Tide also learnt that Okutukutu community is the headquarters of the Epie clan of Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
Franklyn described the purported existence of the project as spurious, saying that upon the investigations of the said government’s body, it was discovered that no such project has been carried out in the community since its existence from time immemorial.
“Atimes, they’ll stay in Abuja and award projects without letting the community know. I don’t even have an idea that a 200 litres pd (per day)pipe borne water project was awarded this community by the Federal Government until recently when a Federal Government parastatal came to the community in the course of investigating this said project to inform us.
“But look at this community, we don’t even have water, no roads, no other government constructed infrastructure, no health facility”, he said.
He described the dearth of basic amenities in the community as alarming, noting that save for this year, the community was worst hit by perennial flooding, pleading that the state government come to their aid through the provision of pave roads and other infrastructural projects so as to give the community a facelift.
“Apart from the Igbogene- Onopa new gate way road that would pass through the back of this community, there’s no other road linking this island part of the community to the other parts.
“For years now, we’ve been pleading with the government to link this island part of the community to the mainland, but the government has paid us deaf ears.
“Now and when ever floods begin, the only way to access this island part of the community which is even the largest with both streets and other internal roads carved out by the community waiting for government’s attention has been through rickety wooden bridges”, he said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa