Bayelsa power plant not yet ready, Diri admits
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said the 60-megawatt independent power project inaugurated on 10 April by President Bola Tinubu is not yet complete and still requires “finishing touches.”
The governor’s clarification follows disappointment among residents of Yenagoa and its environs, who had expected immediate improvement in electricity supply after the plant’s inauguration.
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*Bayelsa Power Plant
Nathan Tamarapreye, Bayelsa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said the 60-megawatt independent power project inaugurated on 10 April by President Bola Tinubu is not yet complete and still requires “finishing touches.”
The governor’s clarification follows disappointment among residents of Yenagoa and its environs, who had expected immediate improvement in electricity supply after the plant’s inauguration.
The gas-fired facility, installed by the Diri administration, has yet to deliver round-the-clock power, raising concerns across the state.
A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Diri explained during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa that critical protective devices were still being installed to safeguard the turbines and the state’s investment.
He appealed to residents to remain patient, assuring them that the project would soon become fully operational.
“We want our people to be free from darkness. What you are seeing now are the final finishing touches after commissioning. Certain protective devices must be installed on the turbines so that when they begin operation, they will function effectively,” the governor said.
He also criticised those politicising the delay, insisting the government was acting in the best interest of the state.
However, uncertainty over the project’s distribution framework has further fuelled public concern. The Director-General of the Bayelsa Electricity Regulatory Commission reportedly stated that the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), which currently manages the state’s power distribution network, will not off-take electricity from the new plant.
This development has raised questions about how electricity will be transmitted to homes and businesses, as a new distribution network, requiring cables, transformers and other infrastructure, may need to be developed.
Industry observers note that distribution is critical, as it ensures power evacuation to end users and revenue collection to sustain operations, including gas supply and plant maintenance.
There has also been no update from the project contractor, Jampour Group, which previously signed a multimillion-dollar agreement with the state government to supply smart meters for accurate billing.
Earlier, Diri had stated that electricity from the plant would not be free, urging residents to be prepared to pay for consumption while assuring them that metering would prevent overbilling.
