National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
Ex-management staff of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), and consummate power sector Engineer, Chief Dr. Koto Andrew Omiloli has commended the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on the procurement and installation of the new 60mw gas fired turbines in the state.
Dr. Omiloli spoke with newsmen in Yenagoa the state capital on fact-finding visit to select power sector expert recently.
National Wire reports that Engr.Omiloli is a Russian trained Electrical-Mechanical Engineer with specialty in turbine technology, installation and management.
He said Governor Diri has fulfilled his promise of providing stable power supply to the state with the ongoing project, noting that when the project is completed commerce and industry would thrive in the state, saying power propels socioeconomic development of any society.
However, he emphasized that in conventional turbine procurement, the sustained norm is the installation of not more that three-four plants, and not eight as bought by the government.
He said: “Though Governor Diri has genuine intentions for the state, he was ill-advised on the procurement of eight units of new turbines. The maintenance, manpower and spare parts costs for these new plants would take a collosal toll on the state’s economy.
“You don’t use just two-three persons to run gas turbines. I hope they’ll train the needed manpower in conjunction with the manufacturers of the new turbines, else there’ll be colossal damage after the tenure of Governor Diri.
“First and foremost, the turbines installed and operating in the Niger Delta both from the private and public sectors are all three units.
“Go to Gbarain what you’ll see is three turbines run by the SPDC (now Renaissance Africa Energy).In the Afam-6 power plant in Rivers State what you’ll also see there are three gas turbines. Go to the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni power plant and what you’ll see there too are three turbines.
“Anywhere you’ve turbines they’re usually in three units so that you run two and keep one in standby”.
