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Bayelsa’s Energy Revolution: Stakeholders Hail New 60mw Power Project

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Published

Monday, February 10, 2025 at 05:46 PM

Written by Brenda Izu

Bayelsa’s Energy Revolution: Stakeholders Hail New 60mw Power Project

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

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% finalized, 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.

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

He commended 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 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.

He said, "Energy is one of most critical infrastructure that we need in the state. With energy cost increasing almost astronomically, it is important that the state embarks on that kind of project. We are okay with the project, we are okay with the government starting that project. It is a project that will impact positively on the economy of the state and the general wellbeing of the people of the state.

"Since the government is funding it solely, we expect it is a government project. We hope that government and government institutions are able to manage this infrastructure properly so that we make the best use and benefit from it.

"If all of these are put together, we believe it will go a long way in solving the energy crisis we are faced with at the moment particularly with businesses. You can notice that most shops are not opening anymore, businesses are folding up because they are unable to fund their energy bills.

"So it is important that this project comes up, this is one major project that appears to be citizen-friendly that the government is trying to put together, not the kind they did before with the Airport and the recent Secretariat project that they are proposing. Let us look at things that will directly impact on citizens, for instance water. We expect that by some time within the year, they should also begin to look at restoring water within the state capital and its environs."

Edited By: Chinedu Eze

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Bayelsa’s Energy Revolution: Stakeholders Hail New 60mw Power Project

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

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.

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

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

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.

"Since the government is funding it solely, we expect it is a government project. We hope that government and government institutions are able to manage this infrastructure properly so that we make the best use and benefit from it.

"If all of these are put together, we believe it will go a long way in solving the energy crisis we are faced with at the moment particularly with businesses. You can notice that most shops are not opening anymore, businesses are folding up because they are unable to fund their energy bills.

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