The Bayelsa State Government has approved the purchase of 60 megawatts gas turbines to boost electricity supply in the state.
The Bayelsa State Executive Council gave the approval during its 151st meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, and her Ministry of Power counterpart, Engr. Kharin Komuko, said the project would ensure constant power supply and prevent a repeat of the recent long period of power outage the state was plunged into by vandals.
According to the power commissioner, arrangement for purchase of the gas turbines was over 70 per cent concluded and that the installation would be completed before end of this year.
He said the frequent incidents of vandalism of power facilities was a sabotage.
Koku-Obiyai added: “Approval was given expressly for the purchase of the gas turbines. That is to say, hopefully, before the end of this year, Bayelsans will begin to enjoy uninterrupted power supply.
“I believe this is a good one for us as a state as it will boost our economy and attract more investors.”
She further disclosed that the council approved the use of the state-owned luxury buses to convey commuters to the new transport terminal at Igbogene at a reduced fare to cushion the effect of the hike in fares by commercial transporters.
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The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Transport, Preye Brodrick, also revealed that the council approved the building of bus stops at designated areas as part of the urban renewal drive of the administration.
Brodrick, who stated that there was noticeable sanity on the roads in the state capital due to the relocation of private commercial transporters to the new terminal, appealed to commuters and Bayelsans to support and patronise the terminal despite the challenges.
In another development, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has described the state as the most climate impacted in the country.
Diri stated this in his office when he received a delegation from the National Climate Change Secretariat led by the Director General, Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe.
He said issues about climate change were dear to Bayelsa State due to the heavy impact it has had on the state.
The governor urged the climate change team to explore the mangroves of the state by visiting not only Nembe but other local government areas, especially Brass, Southern Ijaw, and Ekeremor, saying it was the best way to appreciate the Bayelsa situation.
Diri added that his administration will partner with the climate change secretariat on issues affecting the state, stressing that there was much the state and the agency can achieve by working together.
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