The government of

Bayelsa State last Thursday assured the residents of the early completion of its 21 mega watts power station at Imiringi in Ogbia Local Government Area.

The Deputy Governor, John Jonah, gave the assurance when he visited the station to ascertain issues militating against the early completion of the station.

Jonah said that the government was worried by the irregular power supply to the state, in spite efforts by previous administrations to make the residents enjoy regular electricity supply.

Jonah reiterated that power was critical to the socio-economic transformation of the state, adding that the current administration was committed to that task.

He directed that the newly procured switch-gear that was yet to be installed be properly covered to prevent water from damaging it.

The deputy governor reassured the workers that the government would look into their request for safety equipment, operational vehicles and payment of overtime allowances.

The Station Manager, Mr. Robert Idumange said that the 21 mega watts capacity turbine was procured in the United Kingdom in 2006.

Idumange reminded the deputy governor that the station would have since be completed but for the disagreement between the government and the contractor over cost variations.

He also pleaded with the government for financial support for the procurement of safety equipment and other consumables for the effective running of the station.

The Commissioner for Energy, Mr Francis Ikio, thanked the deputy governor for the visit and appealed for government support to achieve the target.

Our correspondent reports that among the inspection team are  the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Mr Bolouekie Yeri, and  a Director in the ministry, Mr Dika Moses,

The Imiringi Gas Turbine was built in the 1980s by the old Rivers government under the leadership of late Chief Melford Okilo.