Consumers, Partner Prospective Investors, Others To Push Bayelsa 60MW Gas Turbine Expansion

Electricity consumers, prospective investors and the Bayelsa business class have called on the Government and the management of the newly state installed 60mw gas fired turbines to expand power supply statewide.

Cross session of stakeholders said at a programme tagged, ‘Power Infrastructure and its value chain’ organised in Yenagoa, the State capital by a group known as the ‘South-South Reawakening’.

The Tide reports that the event which brought together key industry actors, traditional rulers, policy makers, financial experts, academics and the Media was held as part of activities to commemorate the 30th creation anniversary of the State.

Setting the tone for deliberations, the host and convener of the ‘South-South Re-Awakening Group’, Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo, described electricity as the primary catalyst for industrialisation and economic growth.

He lauded the State Government for establishing the 60-Megawatt gas turbine in Yenagoa, stressing the need to transition the State into a sustainable 24-hour power economy.

“Without power, you cannot industrialise. Power is everything. As we celebrate, let us not be lost in the euphoria. There’s more work to be done in Bayelsa State.

“We should start now to plan for the future. where do we want to be and how in the next 30 years in terms of industrial development and deployment of power resources to better the lives of our people?”, the Convener inquired.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, highlighted reliable electricity as a key driver for economic expansion and a tool to curb social vices.

“Power is the bedrock and foundation for sustainable industrialisation. Bayelsa is leading in this regard as a state with 60mw gas turbine that will guarantee 24-hour electricity to the people. It means that we must all seize this opportunity, grow our businesses, and then maximise output”, the Monarch said.

Speaking on infrastructure development, the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Engineer Olice Kemenanabo, stressed that power generation alone is insufficient without strong distribution and transmission networks.

“The power system, particularly generation, is only as strong as its weakest link. The value chain must therefore be planned and operated as one integrated system. That comes to the investment aspect of it”, he said.

Addressing regulatory oversight, the Director-General of the Bayelsa Electricity Regulatory Agency, Dr. Rosalyn Dressman, reassured consumers of continuous efforts to sustain power availability and address service complaints.

“Electricity has improved over time. Our business is to make sure that Bayelsa has electricity. How do we do that? We coordinate generators, distributors, consumers to make sure everybody speaks one common language”, she noted.

Meanwhile, in a communique issued at the end of the programme, Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Charles Eni-Umukoro, said the stakeholders roundtable advocated policy consistency, legislative backing for energy infrastructure, a specialised task force against vandalism, and the expansion of the 60-Megawatt system.

The event featured an engaging panel discussion moderated by veteran journalist Daniel Abia, focusing on emerging opportunities within the state’s electricity value chain.

Panelists at the event included the Dean, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Professor Francis Sikoki, Director General of the Bayelsa Electricity Regulatory Agency, Dr. Roselyn Dressman, Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo represented by the Director of Operations, Engr. Steve Bubagha and an Investment and Advisory Professional, Mr. Ebipere Clark.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa