The Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL) has stepped up the installation of its new 60 megawatt gas-powered plant, aimed at providing steady electricity supply across Bayelsa State by December 2025.
Managing Director of BECL, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, gave the update on Thursday during a visit to the turbine project site in Elebele, Ogbia Local Government Area. He was represented by the company’s Director of Operations, Engr. Steve Bubagha Jnr.
Kemenanabo said the project is progressing well and will be completed on time. He praised the commitment of Governor Douye Diri, saying the governor is working tirelessly to ensure Bayelsans enjoy uninterrupted power supply.
“You can see for yourselves from the tour around the gas turbines today. Already, work on this site has reached advanced stages. These buildings, you see, people working on here are part of the gas-fired turbine power project,” he said.
“We’ve started installing new poles and towers that will enable us to distribute power from the gas turbines to Bayelsans as promised by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
The BECL boss added that the firm is determined to deliver the project according to plan and within schedule.
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He also said that the relationship between BECL and the host community, Elebele, remains peaceful and supportive.
“Elebele, the host community of the project has been very cooperative. We have been enjoying a cordial relationship with the people and leadership of the community,” he said.
Speaking during the tour, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media (Print) and Public Affairs, Mr. Wisdom Ikuli, compared Governor Diri’s developmental projects to those of the late Chief Melford Okilo in the old Rivers State.
Ikuli noted that once completed, the power project will boost business activities in Bayelsa and attract investments from other parts of the country.
The 60MW power project was initiated after transmission lines supplying power to Bayelsa were vandalised in Ahoada-West, Rivers State, last year. Governor Diri had promised to provide a long-term solution, which led to the purchase and ongoing installation of the gas turbines.
One Response
It is a most welcome development that the state government has established a state-owned electricity company. Obviously, the Bayelsa state government has employed the opportunities provided by the EPSRA law of 2005 to do this. I am routing for this project, and I do hope it shall be a flagship project across the country, and for other state governments to emulate.