- Acting Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo announced plans to establish independent power plants in Bayelsa to improve the electricity supply.
- The state government is partnering with Chinese investors to build a 60,000-megawatt power plant at Elebele and refurbish the Imiringi gas turbine.
- Ewhrudjakpo apologised for the lack of communication regarding removing turbine transformers, ensuring they would be refurbished and returned.
Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, announced the state’s efforts to establish independent power plants to ensure a stable electricity supply. He made this known during a meeting with Imiringi community leaders and Ogbia Local Government stakeholders, including the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, King Charles Ebinimi Owaba, at Government House, Yenagoa.
The acting governor explained that the government partnered with Chinese investors to build a new power plant at Elebele, Bayelsa, near the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) gas turbine. The new plant will generate 60,000 megawatts of electricity and serve several local government areas.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the governor highlighted ongoing efforts to refurbish the state-owned Imiringi gas turbine in Ogbia. The refurbished turbine will supply electricity to the local government areas of Ogbia and Yenagoa. He also confirmed plans for another power plant to serve local governments in Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama, and Ekeremor, reducing their reliance on the national grid.
Ewhrudjakpo outlined plans for a third power plant to provide electricity to Nembe, Brass, and Southern Ijaw local government areas. These initiatives align with the Douye Diri-led administration’s A.S.S.U.R.E.D. The agenda prioritises addressing energy challenges in the state.
“We are working to secure independent power,” Ewhrudjakpo stated. “We partnered with investors to build a plant near the Elebele Gas Turbine to generate 60,000 megawatts. This will serve 3 to 4 local government areas.”
Ewhrudjakpo took responsibility for the government’s failure to inform the people of Imiringi about the plans to move turbine transformers for refurbishment. He cited a communication gap but reassured the community that the government would refurbish and return the transformers.
“We intended to refurbish the transformers and restart the gas turbine, but the communication gap caused a misunderstanding,” he explained. “We take responsibility and apologize for the confusion.”
Hon. Gabriel Michael Ogbara, Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly, thanked the acting governor for promptly resolving the issue. He emphasised the need for collaboration between the government and the community.
Chief Naru Okpu, spokesperson for the Imiringi community and a former Director in the Ministry of Environment expressed gratitude to the governor for convening the meeting and confidence in the administration’s commitment to restoring power to the area.
Several officials attended the meeting, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Gabriel Elaigwu, Commander of the 16 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Oluremi Obolo, Ogbia Local Government Chairman, Mr Jeremiah Golden, and the Paramount Ruler of Imiringi Community, His Royal Highness Lucky Chukwuigwe.