Yuletide: Indigenous Engineers Harp On Overhaul Of Imiringi Gas Turbine In Bayelsa

…Wants Govt, Others Support…Praises Diri On New 60mw IPP

 

Indigenous Engineers in Bayelsa State have revealed that they can overhaul the existing old and new gas turbines built by the late Chief Medford Okilo’s administration in Imiringi, Ogbia Local Government Area of the State.

Speaking with Journalists on a fact-finding visit in Yenagoa yesterday in the wake of a statement credited to the management of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd(BECL), that it can no longer complete the installation and powering of Yenagoa and environs with the newly acquired 60mw gas turbine in December 2025 as earlier promised, the group represented by Engr. Bragrand Emiowei noted that the Imiringi power plant has no fewer than 71mw gas turbines installed.

While commending the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri for the procurement and ongoing installation of the new 60mw plug and play Jampur gas turbines, the Engineers called on the governor to support them to resuscitate the Imiringi plant in order to power the entire Bayelsa-East Senatorial district and adjoining areas.

They called on the State Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission to partner them to maintain the plant, noting that Bayelsa East is the worst hit by the perennial blackout in parts of the state.

They said: “the Melford Okilo’s administration installed 20mw gas turbine, the administration of Goodluck Jonathan as governor then also brought 31mw turbine and that of Chief Timipre Sylva installed 20mw turbine at the Imiringi Independent Power project (IPP).

“We thank Governor Diri for the ongoing installation of the new 60mw gas turbines at Elebele, but we like to plead that while working on the new turbines that the ASSURED PROSPERITY administration to support our indigenous Engineers to overhaul the Imiringi power plant to power the entire Bayelsa-East Senatorial district and other parts of the state.

“Brass, Nembe and Ogbia LGAs are amongst the worst affected by the near absence of electricity in the state. We need the support of the NDDC, the State Government and other relevant parastatals to get the Imiringi power plant running again”.