Niger Delta
Bayelsa Approves Purchase Of 60mw Gas Turbines
The Bayelsa State Executive Council has approved the purchase of 60 megawatts gas turbines to boost electricity supply in the state.
The state cabinet gave the approval recently during its 151st meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.
Briefing the press after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. 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 turbine was over 70 per cent concluded and that the installation would be completed before the end of this year.
He said the frequent incidents of vandalism of power facilities was a sabotage.
“Exco approved the purchase of gas turbines with a combined capacity of 60 megawatts that will serve Yenagoa and environs.
“Approval was given expressly for the purchase of the 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”, the State’s Information Commissioner stated.
She further disclosed that 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.
Her Ministry of Transport counterpart, Preye Brodrick, also revealed that 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.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa