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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Government has again pleaded for patience from residents of the state over the delay in the take-off of the 60MW Gas Turbine at Elebele in the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
The project, conceived and executed by Senator Douye Diri-led administration, was commissioned recently by President Bola Tinubu.
However, since its commissioning, contrary to expectations, the gas turbine has not been able to power homes in Yenagoa and its environs with electricity.
The project had become the butt of jokes with opposition politicians mocking the state government for deceiving Bayelsans.
Diri had recently, during the weekly prosperity walk, frowned at politicians playing politics with the delay of the project, noting that the turbines would come on to the shame of those who want darkness.
The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, who again pleaded for patience from Bayelsans, maintained that the state government was committed to the project.
Koku-Obiyai, who spoke during the transparency briefing for January, February and March, reiterated that the government was putting up safety features to protect the gas turbine and ensure its durability.
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The government understands the eagerness of the public to have the gas turbine to light their homes and power their businesses. One assurance that this administration would like to give is that work is progressing steadily, and the gas turbine would soon roll into full operations once all safety features are fully installed. The government would not compromise safety for speed.
“If we don’t do what is necessary to fix the gas turbine properly, if there is any problem, it will cost the state more money. That is why the government has been pleading with Bayelsans to be patient.
“When we start enjoying this light, it is not only the government officials that will enjoy it; the people will also enjoy it. I am pleading with Bayelsans to be patient.
For like 30 years, Bayelsa had no light. This is the time to have our own light; we plead for patience.”
On the consistency of the transparency briefing, the Commissioner noted that it “demonstrates the administration’s unshakable commitment and accountability and the people’s right to know.”
According to her, laying bare the state finances underscores prudent management of resources by Governor Douye Diri, who has a firm conviction that public office is for service and public wellbeing.
She added that there is no better practical way to demonstrate the effective management of the state resources other than the ongoing harvest of legacy projects across the states, some of which were commissioned recently by President Bola Tinubu on April 10 and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on April 20.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Treasury Accounts, Timipre Seipulo, disclosed that total receipts from the federation account in January, February and March were N36.9 billion, N40.04 billion, and N41.69 billion, respectively.
