The Sea Plane Myth: How A Simple Demonstration became A Political Misinformation

By Gabriel Ukuta

Recent claims circulating online allege that former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, purchased a seaplane during his administration. These assertions have resurfaced in political conversations but remain entirely false, misleading, and historically inaccurate.

A review of events during the Dickson administration confirms that no seaplane was ever bought by the Bayelsa State Government. Instead, what occurred was a demonstration flight by Aero Contractors, aimed at showcasing the potential of using the Oxbow Lake as a temporary water-based landing facility.

Around the mid-years of Governor Dickson’s administration, Aero Contractors the well-known Nigerian airline flew a seaplane to Yenagoa for a one-off demonstration and feasibility assessment. The purpose was simple and transparent: To show that the Oxbow Lake in Yenagoa could serve as a temporary sea terminal for air access to Bayelsa.

To explore alternative transportation options before the completion of the Bayelsa International Airport, which Governor Dickson had initiated and was still under construction at the time.

To demonstrate the possibility of connecting the state to other coastal and riverine locations via amphibious aircraft.

The demonstration was part of broader discussions on strengthening Bayelsa’s transport infrastructure, but at no point did the government announce, negotiate, or purchase a seaplane.

Before the airport was built, Bayelsa remained one of the few states without a functional airstrip or aviation facility. The demonstration by Aero Contractors served a strategic purpose: 

To assess interim access options: The state needed temporary aviation solutions while the airport project was ongoing.

To evaluate the viability of water-based aviation: Bayelsa’s geography surrounded by water bodies made amphibious aircraft an interesting proposal for connectivity.

Also to attract investment. Showcasing infrastructure possibilities was part of the state’s broader attempt to position itself for tourism, logistics, and business investments.

The demonstration was a private-sector initiative, not a government acquisition.

Governor Dickson’s administration ultimately completed the Bayelsa International Airport, which remains one of his landmark infrastructural achievements. The successful commissioning of the airport eliminated any immediate need for water-landing aircraft as an alternative. This further proves that purchasing a seaplane was never part of government expenditure.

As often happens, visuals and memories of the demonstration flight have been distorted, repackaged, and circulated as alleged evidence that a seaplane was purchased. These claims have no basis in fact and ignore publicly available records of the state’s expenditures and project timelines.

The narrative that former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson bought a seaplane for Bayelsa State is entirely false. The aircraft that landed in Yenagoa was brought in by Aero Contractors for a display and feasibility demonstration only. It was never a state purchase, never part of the government’s logistics assets, and never included in the state’s budget.

As Bayelsa continues to advance its infrastructure and aviation capacity, it is important that public discourse remains rooted in facts, not misinformation. Governor Dickson’s administration is rightly credited for completing the Bayelsa International Airport not for buying a seaplane that Bayelsa State never owned.