Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, says progress is being made in restoring power to the state.
Bayelsa was thrown into darkness on July 29 following the vændalism of several 132 KVA twin circuit transmission towers that feed the state.
According to the commissioner, contractors handling the damaged transmission towers in the Okogbe area of East-West Road are working around the clock to restore electricity to Bayelsa.
Koku-Obiyai spoke during an on-the-spot assessment of work at Okogbe along the East-West Road in Rivers State.
She expressed optimism that power would be restored and called on residents to exercise a little more patience as the government was aware of the pain it has caused to the people of the state.
She explained that discussions are ongoing between Rivers and Bayelsa states and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to checkmate the activities of vandals to avoid a reoccurrence.
Koku-Obiyai commended the TCN and contractors handling the job for their commitment to ensuring that power is restored to the state at the nearest possible time.
It will be recalled that TCN management had on Sept 26 assured that they would need an additional six weeks to complete repairs on the vandalised transmission line and towers.
Also Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, General Manager of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, urged contractors to complete the work within the six-week timeline given to the state government.
One of the contractors, Engr. Musa Mustapha said two out of the three towers earlier designated for installation have already been completed.
He expressed hope that the remaining one will be completed within the stipulated timeline.
The prolonged power outage across Bayelsa has paralysed economic activities amongst micro, small and medium business operators amidst the current cost of petrol at N1,300 per litre.