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Management of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd (BEC), says it has recorded milestones on the installation of the proposed 60MW new gasfired twin turbines.
Speaking to Newsmen during a tour of the project site in Elebele community of of the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, General-Manager of the firm, Eng. Olice Kemenanabo describing the project as a dream come true for the state.
Represented by the Director of Operations, Engr. Steve Bubagha, Kemenanabo noted that the project was progressing at an exponential rate, saying approximately 70% of work has been completed.
The company’s helmsman promised that with the spate of work done, the project will be completed on or before December, 2025 as earlier promised by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
He said: “The State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has over and again reiterated that power supply is expected to commence from the gas turbine by the end of this year.
“When we came some weeks ago, we hadn’t the platforms, the offices were not complete, these buildings you’re seeing here today weren’t there so you can see the progress of work done.
”The control room is almost ready, you have seen the pipes, you have seen the switch gears, instrumentation valves, the warehouse as well as the store the pipes have been piped if you look thete you will see the headers of the pipe that’s is where the gas will be supplied from”.
He added: “We’ve covered up to about 70 percent if we complete the basement this week by next week we are bringing in the switch gears.
“The base for the power transformers are almost ready and by the end of this month we are bringing in the power transformers and by next month to August our turbine should be ready.The control room is almost ready, the base for power transformers is almost ready as well.
“We’ve piped all places where we’re supposed to pipe. Headers are in place, switch gears and instrumentation valves are also ready”.
He stated that the turbine was expected to be ready by August, 2025 and power transformers will be installed by the end of this June.
Meanwhile, Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, speaking with newsmen has also said the 60MW gas turbines project in the is expected to have significant impact on the state’s economy and quality of life of the citizens.
He said: “This project will attract businesses, create employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth in the state. The project is part of Governor Douye Diri’s ‘Assured Prosperity Agenda’ which aims to improve the welfare and well-being of citizens of the State.
“The project will also improve access to electricity in homes, offices, and businesses, reducing the reliance on solar panels and diesel generators. This project will improve the overall quality of life for citizens and residents of the State”.
Ikuli praised Governor Diri’s vision for the state, citing his commitment to implementing large-scale projects that will transform Bayelsa’s economy and compared the governor’s vision to that of the late Melford Okilo, a former governor of Rivers State.
He explained that the governor has embarked on several other infrastructure projects, including the Nembe Brass road, Yenagoa Agiama Otuan Oporoma road, Glory Drive, and Imgbi bridge, among others. These projects are expected to further boost the state’s economy and improve the quality of life for residents.
