Samuel Bunas Hotel: Dorgu dispels false claims Against Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board * Says the Board has never witch-hunts anybody

 By Inegbagha Majesty 

The Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board, Hon Kuroakegha Dorgu on Thursday, has dispelled false claims alleging against the Board that it wants to demolish  Mr Samuel Michael Bunas Hotel because of his political ambition for the State House of Assembly.

Hon Kuroakegha Dorgu 
Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Physical Planning Development Board 

Hon Dorgu who made the clarification while answering questions with newsmen, over mischievous publication circulating on social stated categorically that the Board never witch-hunt any politician or single out the property of Mr Samuel Michael Bunas out of other persons who owns properties in the 16 Brigade axis of Opolo-Epie road in the state capital, Yenagoa to be demolished.

The Executive Chairman said the board  saddled with the statutory duties of planning, controlling, granting of approval and issuance of permit  as well as removal of unauthorized buildings among others has never done anything contrary to its mandate.

He said the board under his leadership has consistently operated within the legal and operational boundaries they were assigned, and that none of their decisions, actions, or policies have violated their core mandate or the law.

According to him the Board has always been embarking on regular information dissemination on the print, electronic and on the social media urging the public who want to develop their properties to always first come to the board to seek for approval before commencement of any development in order  to avoid problems.

Dorgu averred that the claim that the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board is been use  to witch-hunt Mr Samuel  Michael Bunas because of his 2027;political ambition is untrue story, unfounded and cannot stand. 

"We are just doing our work for the state. The work we have been details to do.

The issue of that Mr Samuel Michael Bunas Hotel, I don't even know that land. And as am talking to you I don't even know where the building is. And nobody can even influence me under my watch to  use this office as political tool.

Normally, even individuals or  companies when there is encroachment on their land,  you in particular,  cannot take action on yourself. You have to write to the office in charge to settle the matter".

He explained that the Notice served to Mr Samuel Michael Bunas Hotel and five other properties owners in the same area was in response to a petition wrote to the Board by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (Former Shell) on May 17, 2026 with Ref: 2026-05 -00000142  Signed  by Trevor  Akpomughe, Corporate  Lands Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, Renaissance  Africa Energy Company Limited complaining that some properties have encroached in their land situated adjacent 16 Brigade Right of Way ( Along 16 Nun-River Kolo  Creek Trunkline at Azikoro - Agbura -Elebele),  and 11 other properties encroah at Agbura Community axis of the same 16 Nun-River Trunkline where their pipes are been laid; and wants the Board to go and verify and remove them.

L-R First top is part of Hon Samuel Michael Bunas Hotel building mark X, alleged on Shell Right of Way, and other five persons buildings in the same area also marked on alleged Shell Right of Way.

He said the Board acted on the petition received and sent its field workers to go and verified, where they discovered the alleged encroachment on Shell Right of Way, which part of one  building of Mr Samuel Michael Bunas Hotel and five other persons buildings in the same area were in alleged Shell Right of Way.

He explained that the alleged encroachment affected only part of the buildings in the area that the board marked  X but not the whole buildings, stating that no building will be demolished without the decision of the Court.

He said that the Board will take the matter to Court in line with its mandate where the property owners would be given the chance to defend their property. He pointed out  that the Board can only carry out demolition of the affected portion of the building if the Court from available evidence find them guilty.

The petition the Board received read thus" The Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board, Transparency Plaza, Central Bayelsa Business District, Isaac Boro Expressway Extension, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Attention: TPL Okia

"Request For Intervention To Remove Illegal Structures At Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited Right Of Way Along 16 Nun-River Kolo Creek Trunkline At Azikoro - Agbura and Elebele in Yenagoa Local Government, Bayelsa State".  We here in notify the Board of the encroachment within the land acquired for Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited 16-Nun River Kolo Creek Right of Way at Azikoro, Agbura and Elebele Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. We request support to remove these illegal structures which impede access on Row- Boss grease Safety concern to the sustainable operation and production of oil and Gas volume at the facility. Thank you for your support and accept our highest esteem regard. Yours faithfully, Trevor Akpomughe, Corporate Lands Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development. Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited".

These are among the eleven properties on Shell Right of Way marked X at Agbura 16 Nun-River Kolo Creek Trunkline 

According to him the Board had earlier carried out similar operation in Gbarain, Obunagha and Biseni as well as Tunu and Opuikushi in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

" So, nobody is witch-hunting anybody. I myself, I am a politician. Is not because Mr Samuel Michael Bunas is contesting for Bayelsa State House of Assembly election.

He is not the only one contesting for House of Assembly seat. We have House of Representatives and Senatorial Candidates and others.

The Board is not witch-hunting anybody. And we will never witch-hunt anybody," he asserted obviously.

The Board Executive Chairman therefore enjoined the members of the public to disregard this baseless claim, stressing that no amount of blackmail, false claims or coordinated smear campaigns will distract the board commitment to the welfare and progress of our dear State.

The board will remain focused on the task of building a better Bayelsa state and will continue to uphold the values of integrity, justice, truth, rule of law and service to humanity devoid of oppression of anybody. 

The board described  the comment made by the PDP senatorial candidate for Bayelsa Central as a clear demonstration of his chosen on the path of  peddling misinformation aimed to tarnish his image but not the board's hard -earned good image to be used to score cheap political points.

He also declared that the board never support any politician or allowed itself degenerate into politics of bitterness for the purpose of the 2027 elections.

He advised the general public who want to do development or building projects to first get approval from the Board before construction.