The Bayelsa Government at the weekend assured residents of the state that power will soon be restored to Yenagoa and its environs.
Most parts of the state have been in total darkness for almost two months following the destruction of some facilities by suspected vandals.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, the Rivers and Bayelsa governments have been working towards the restoration of power.
The State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai gave the assurance while speaking at the 2024 Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Week held at the NUJ secretariat, Ekeki, Yenagoa.
She said: "We just returned from the field after assessment of the ongoing repair works on the damaged towers. We have fixed that of Bayelsa end but work is progressing at the Okogbe end now.
"With the effort the contractors are putting in and with the support and collaboration between TCN, Bayelsa and Rivers state governments, I believe that very soon, even earlier than we had envisaged, power will return to Yenagoa."
The Commissioner also highlighted the contributions of the state government to the growth of the media industry in the state, saying the present administration has high regards for journalists and will continue to partner with them to promote and project the state in the way and manner they should.
“Since the start of this administration, we have considered the media as a worthy partner. We have demonstrated our love and commitment by erecting a magnificent purpose-built Ernest Ikoli media complex.
"We provided office accommodation for our media organs. We also equipped the complex with state-of-the-art digital broadcast equipment. We will continue to support your activities within the limit of available resources," she said.
She urged the NUJ to make the union more professional by eliminating quacks who have over the years given them a bad name and reputation.
"You need to create mechanisms to eliminate quackery in the media profession. The quacks will make the world view your profession as non-performing. Think of how to manage the quacks that are trying to erode the beautiful work you are doing," Koku-Obiyai said.
On the Blue Economy, Koku-Obiyai said the new economic direction had been captured in the new ASSURED agenda of the Prosperity Government to tap the marine resources to the benefit of the people.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Samuel Numonengi, said the media would continue to work hard to ensure a better society and that the theme of the Press Week anchored on blue economy was strategic to gain public awareness and attract investments.
Dignitaries at the event were the Pere of Tarakiri kingdom, King (Dr) Seiyefa Koroye, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Niger Delta University, Prof. Tombara Kingdom, Director General of Bayelsa State New Media, Dr. Kolawole Oredipe, former Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, Dr. Perekeme Bertola, senior citizens, and top media managers.
Among the awardees on the occasion were Dr. Oredipe, DG New Media, Mr. Ovieteme George of Arise TV, veteran broadcast journalist, Joan Ogu and environmentalist, Morris Alagoa.
