Stakeholders Hail New 60mw Power Project In Bayelsa

Bayelsa State government’s newly proposed 60 megawatts gas turbines project has received strong backing from stakeholders, who believe it would significantly boost the state’s economy and improve residents’ quality of life.

They have however called for transparency in its execution and management to ensure it serves the people effectively.

The State Executive Council had earlier approved the purchase of the 60-megawatt gas turbines during its 151st meeting at Government House, Yenagoa. According to the Commissioners for Information and Power, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and Engr. Kharin Komuko, the project is over 70 percent finalised, with installation expected to be completed before the end of 2025.

Also, the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, on Thursday began the first processes of Environmental Impact Assessment on the site of the proposed new 60mw gas fired turbines situated at Elebele, a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital.

Speaking on the development, the chairman of the Bayelsa State Non-governmental Organisations Forum (BANGOF), Mr. Taritein Boco, described energy as one of the most critical infrastructures needed in the state, especially in the face of rising electricity and fuel costs.

He lauded the initiative, emphasizing that if properly managed, the project would provide relief to businesses and households struggling with erratic power supply.

He, however, stressed the need for a thorough environmental impact assessment before the project takes off. “If there is need for any form of compensation, such compensation should be properly done so that nobody is deprived of his or her rights or possession by virtue of the fact that this project is coming up,” he stated.

Concerns were also raised about the operational model of the project. While the government is fully funding the initiative, Boco questioned whether it would be run as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or remain a government-managed facility. He urged the government to ensure that the project does not become another avenue for exploitation, as seen in the state’s existing electricity supply system.

“Let it not be an avenue for exploitation of the masses as it were from what we have been experiencing with the present power situation within the state when people will not have light for weeks, within a month and then they will bring bills. I want to expect that it is going to be a kind of pay-as-you-go billing system so that people are not unduly charged for what they did not consume”, he said.

The BANGOF chairman also pointed out that many businesses in the state are shutting down due to the high cost of electricity, fuel, and diesel, making the power sector reform a critical necessity.

By Okem Green Mbah, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State government’s newly proposed 60 megawatts gas turbines project has received strong backing from stakeholders, who believe it would significantly boost the state’s economy and improve residents’ quality of life.

They have however called for transparency in its execution and management to ensure it serves the people effectively.

The State Executive Council had earlier approved the purchase of the 60-megawatt gas turbines during its 151st meeting at Government House, Yenagoa. According to the Commissioners for Information and Power, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and Engr. Kharin Komuko, the project is over 70 percent finalised, with installation expected to be completed before the end of 2025.

Also, the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, on Thursday began the first processes of Environmental Impact Assessment on the site of the proposed new 60mw gas fired turbines situated at Elebele, a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital.

Speaking on the development, the chairman of the Bayelsa State Non-governmental Organisations Forum (BANGOF), Mr. Taritein Boco, described energy as one of the most critical infrastructures needed in the state, especially in the face of rising electricity and fuel costs.

He lauded the initiative, emphasizing that if properly managed, the project would provide relief to businesses and households struggling with erratic power supply.

He, however, stressed the need for a thorough environmental impact assessment before the project takes off. “If there is need for any form of compensation, such compensation should be properly done so that nobody is deprived of his or her rights or possession by virtue of the fact that this project is coming up,” he stated.

Concerns were also raised about the operational model of the project. While the government is fully funding the initiative, Boco questioned whether it would be run as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or remain a government-managed facility. He urged the government to ensure that the project does not become another avenue for exploitation, as seen in the state’s existing electricity supply system.

“Let it not be an avenue for exploitation of the masses as it were from what we have been experiencing with the present power situation within the state when people will not have light for weeks, within a month and then they will bring bills. I want to expect that it is going to be a kind of pay-as-you-go billing system so that people are not unduly charged for what they did not consume”, he said.

The BANGOF chairman also pointed out that many businesses in the state are shutting down due to the high cost of electricity, fuel, and diesel, making the power sector reform a critical necessity.