Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has disclosed that the death of former Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, nearly stalled the state’s 60-megawatt gas-powered electricity project now undergoing test transmission in parts of Yenagoa.
The governor made the revelation during the “Feast Day Cultural Fiesta” of St. Mathias Catholic Church, stating that electricity from the newly installed gas turbines had already begun reaching some areas of the Bayelsa capital as engineers gradually expand supply coverage.
According to the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the project marks a significant milestone in the administration’s drive to deliver stable electricity to residents across the state.
Governor Diri explained that the test phase had already extended to the Opolo axis and was progressing toward the Niger Delta Development Commission headquarters area, with Kpansia and nearby communities expected to receive supplies shortly.
“As I speak, power is gradually getting to homes in parts of Yenagoa,” Diri said.
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“I was reliably briefed that it had got to the Opolo axis and was getting down to the NDDC state headquarters area. By today or tomorrow, it will get to the Kpansia axis and beyond.”
The governor noted that the newly deployed gas turbines are more advanced than earlier power infrastructure acquired by the state decades ago.
“This gas turbine is not like the one procured by our late leader, Chief Melford Okilo, at Imiringi. Those are now analogue. These are electronically controlled,” he stated.
“So, it is an e-gas turbine. All of them have been tested, and they are ready to supply light day by day.”
The project, commissioned by Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 10, is regarded as one of the largest state-driven electricity initiatives in the Niger Delta region.
Diri, however, revealed that the project almost collapsed following the death of Herbert Wigwe in a helicopter crash in the United States in 2024.
“I started this electricity matter with Access Bank and the late Herbert Wigwe,” the governor recounted.
“At the point we were to sign an MoU, Wigwe came to my country home in Sampou, and we agreed on everything. Then he left for America, and that was the last of him.”
He explained that the tragedy forced the state government to reconsider aspects of the project’s financing and implementation structure.
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The governor also disclosed that an alternative proposal involving a ship-mounted electricity plant was later presented to the state government, but he rejected the idea in favour of a land-based gas-powered solution.
“I told my dear friend I do not need a ship on our waters to supply power,” he said.
“I want electricity on the ground here in Yenagoa. We are very rich in oil and gas, and I believe it could be achieved through gas turbines.”
Despite the progress recorded, Diri acknowledged that the aging transmission infrastructure inherited from Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company continues to pose challenges.
“The only challenge we have is that the PHEDC lines are very bad,” he said.
“The moment power is supplied from our plant, the lines fail, particularly in areas where the wires are broken. And because our power system is electronic, it trips off.”
According to him, engineers have already proposed the deployment of upgraded electronic transmission systems to stabilise electricity distribution across the state.
The governor expressed optimism that Bayelsa was now close to achieving an improved and more reliable electricity supply after years of power challenges.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and commended the progress made on the St. Mathias Catholic Church project.
In his remarks, Parish Priest, Rev. Father Bruno Douglas, praised Governor Diri for what he described as consistent support for faith-based institutions and community development initiatives in Bayelsa State.
