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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has sued for patience on the ongoing installation of the state’s independent power project.
The 60-megawatt gas turbine project, whose installation commenced in October this year, was earlier scheduled to be completed by December but suffered some logistical delay.
He called on people of the state to have an open mind about the project, which he said now requires a new completion date due to unforeseen challenges.
Governor Diri, who undertook an on-the-spot-assessment of the project at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area, said like other Bayelsans, he was also disappointed that the December completion deadline could not be met.
He, however, stated that his reaction to the delay had been that of understanding rather than being angry, as had been noticed, particularly on social media.
“You can see I have gone round the whole facility. It was based on the working agreement and information available at my disposal that I gave the December date. But as it is with every human endeavor, we must all have an open mind when it comes to issues, particularly technical matters like this.
“I am as disappointed as any other Bayelsan because I believed that we were going to celebrate the 2025 Christmas with our own independent power, but it turned out not to be so.” “I call on Bayelsans to have an open mind. These technical experts are working virtually 24 hours, but delays like this will certainly come.”
The state’s helmsman implored the people to appreciate the work of the engineers, stressing that a minor mistake was capable of jeopardising the millions of dollars expended on the project. “For 29 years, Bayelsa has been in darkness or has endured epileptic power supply. Now that we are getting close to the day of liberation, some people have become impatient. Let us not behave like the proverbial tortoise in prison for years that asked to be released immediately, as the place was smelling the moment he knew he would regain freedom the next day.”
Governor Diri gave a thumbs up to the technical partners, Jampur Group, and its team on the ground, as well as the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, saying they were working around the clock to ensure the job was completed. The governor said government was looking at inaugurating the project during its sixth anniversary in February.
The MD of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Kemenanabo, who also spoke, said the state was on the right track towards actualising the project and assured that the alignment of the entire system, including the gas generator and alternator were on course.
He also stated that the remaining two turbines would be delivered to the project site in a few days.
