Bayelsa Electricity Co. promises timely installation of new 60-mg gas turbines

By: Odie Ramon, Yenagoa.

The Management of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd (BEC Ltd) has assured that it is intensifying efforts in the installation of the newly acquired 60 megawatt gas-fired power plant to ensure uninterrupted and stable electricity supply in the State.

Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, Managing Director of the firm, gave the assurance on Thursday while conducting a tour of the ongoing works at the project site of the turbines in Elebele, Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

Represented by the Director of Operations of the company, Engr. Steve Bubagha jnr, Kemenanabo reiterated the firm’s resolve to deliver the project according to specifications and within timelines.

He noted that the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, can be likened to light as he meant every promise he has made on powering the state, especially Yenagoa and its environs, on/before the end of this year.

“You can see for yourselves as we tour the gas turbines site today. The work on this site has already reached advanced stages. These buildings you see people working on here are part of the gas-fired turbine power project.

“As we speak, we’ve started installing new poles and towers that will enable us distribute power from the gas turbines to Bayelsans as promised by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

“And so with the level of work already done, we’re very optimistic that, going by the governor’s promise, we’re going to complete the installation of the new 60mg gas turbines and supply electricity to Bayelsans by the end of this year.

Kemenanabo who also bared his mind on the State of relationship between host community of the project, Elebele and the Bayelsa Electricity Company ltd stressed that the firm and the community enjoy a very cordial working relationship, saying the host community has been very cooperative and has Continued to synergize with the firm for timely completion of the project without any form of impediment.

“Elebele, the host community of the project, has been very cooperative. In fact, Elebele describes itself as Bayelsa’s most peaceful community. And so we’ve been enjoying a cordial relationship with the people and leadership of the community”, the BEC boss said

Also speaking, the Technical Adviser to the State Governor on Media(Print) and Public Affairs, Mr Wisdom Ikuli, described Governor Diri’s infrastructural project to those executed in the old Rivers State by the late Chief Melford Okilo as governor of the old State, describing Governor Douye Diri as the re – reincarnated Okilo and a student of Okiloism school of thought.

He said Governor Douye Diri has emulated the late sage and legend, as it takes a visionary and pragmatic leader who does not alienate himself from his people to embark on similar legacy projects of late senator Melford Obiene Okilo. For instance, the three senatorial roads, more importantly, the Nembe – Brass and Agge roads, which would unearth the untapped potential of the Blue and Marine economy, which Bayelsa state has comparative advantages.

” We brought Journalists here to see things for themselves and disabuse the minds of market women in Swali and critics of saying the Governor is not perturbed by the epileptic power situation in the state.”

He noted that upon the completion of the project, the state would have an improved economy, as businesses will relocate from other parts of the country to the State, noting that the governor’s giant strides are not limited to electricity alone, but in all facets of his ‘ASSURED Prosperity’ administration.

It would be recalled that last year, vandals vanalized the PHED company’s towers lines supplying power to Bayelsa at the Ahoada-West Local Government Area axis of Rivers State and parts of Bayelsa State, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri swung into action and promised to purchase and install a new 60mg gas fired turbines to power the state, before the end of this year.