- He reminded residents that Bayelsa had endured years of unstable electricity supply and was now close to a long-awaited breakthrough
- Governor Diri made the appeal during an inspection visit to the project site at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday
- The governor added that work on the project had been steady since inception and disclosed that completion was already over 90 per cent
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has appealed to residents of the state to exercise patience over the delay in the completion of the ongoing independent power project, assuring that the initiative remains on track despite recent setbacks.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the 60-megawatt gas-powered turbine project, which began installation in October 2025, was initially expected to be completed by December before encountering logistical and technical challenges that slowed progress.
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Governor Diri made the appeal during an inspection visit to the project site at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the governor acknowledged public disappointment over the missed deadline but stressed the need for understanding, especially with complex engineering projects.
According to him, the December completion timeline was set based on available technical projections at the time, noting that unforeseen challenges are common in large-scale infrastructure work.
He said he shared in the disappointment felt by residents, as he had hoped the state would celebrate Christmas 2025 with its own independent power supply.
The governor explained that rather than reacting with anger, he chose to approach the situation with patience, urging Bayelsans to do same and appreciate the efforts of the engineers working almost round the clock to deliver the project.
Diri cautioned that rushing the final stages could be costly, warning that even a minor technical error could compromise the millions of dollars already invested in the project. He reminded residents that Bayelsa had endured years of unstable electricity supply and was now close to a long-awaited breakthrough.
He commended the technical partners, Jampur Group, and the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, describing the latter as one of Nigeria’s finest electrical engineers.
The governor added that work on the project had been steady since inception and disclosed that completion was already over 90 per cent.
Diri further hinted that the state government was considering commissioning the power project during its sixth anniversary celebration slated for February 2026.
Also speaking, Engr. Kemenanabo assured that the project remained on course, stating that system alignment involving the gas generator and alternator was progressing smoothly. He added that the remaining two turbines were expected to arrive at the site within days.
On behalf of the Jampur Group, Mr Sherrif Abu-Anif expressed confidence in meeting the company’s obligations, while commending the Bayelsa State Government for its cooperation and commitment throughout the execution of the project.
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