By David Faith Boluwatife (I T Student, IFOTECH)
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Chief Press Secretary Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa State Government denounced media reports of a new sponsorship agreement between Bayelsa United and Halkin Exploration and Production Limited for the remainder of the 2023/24 NPFL season as shameful.
The government asserted its lack of awareness and approval for any such deal during the ongoing football season.
Halkin Exploration and Production Limited, entangled in controversy over the suspected acquisition of the Bayelsa State Government’s Oil Mining License, has drawn attention.
Governor Douye Diri, opposing the OML 46 license revocation by the now-defunct Department of Petroleum Resources in April 2020, emphasized the oilfield’s significance as a treasured asset of the state.
Expressing surprise and embarrassment, Governor Diri disclaimed any knowledge of the purported kit sponsorship agreement for Bayelsa United, instructing the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali, and Bayelsa United chairman, Ebiki Timitimi, to halt the process immediately pending a thorough investigation.
The statement alleged that a preliminary inquiry revealed negligence of due diligence and necessary authorizations in the agreement.
