As Bayelsa State celebrates its 30th anniversary, stakeholders have emphasized the need for legislative support for the 60MW gas turbine project and other critical infrastructure. The stakeholders, comprising energy experts, financial advisors, and industry leaders, made this call at a special South-South Reawakening Group Roundtable meeting. They stressed that legislative backing is crucial for the growth and development of the state. The meeting was convened to commemorate Bayelsa's three decades of existence.
The stakeholders also urged the state government to expand the existing 60-Megawatt gas turbine facility to ensure statewide electricity coverage. The host and convener of the South-South Re-Awakening Group, Joseph Ambakederimo, commended the state government for establishing the 60-Megawatt gas turbine in Yenagoa. He emphasized the need to transition Bayelsa into a sustainable 24-hour power economy, highlighting electricity as the primary catalyst for industrialization and economic growth.
Ambakederimo noted that without power, industrialization is impossible, and stressed the need for Bayelsa to plan for the future. He stated that the state should begin to envision its industrial development and deployment of power resources over the next 30 years. The SSRG roundtable series has served as a catalyst for shaping the South-south geopolitical economic transformation and unlocking the full potential of decentralized energy and economic needs.
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. He asserted that power is the bedrock for sustainable industrialization, and Bayelsa is leading in this regard with 60 Megawatts of gas turbines that will guarantee 24-hour electricity to the people.
On infrastructure development, the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, emphasized that power generation alone is insufficient without strong distribution and transmission networks. He stated that the power system, particularly generation, is only as strong as its weakest link, and the value chain must be planned and operated as one integrated system.
Addressing regulatory oversight, the Director General of the Bayelsa Electricity Regulatory Agency, Dr. Rosalyn Dressman, reassured consumers of continuous efforts to sustain and improve the state's power sector. The stakeholders' call for legislative backing and infrastructure development aims to ensure a stable and reliable power supply in Bayelsa State.
The 60MW gas turbine project is a significant milestone in Bayelsa State's power sector development. With the state's 30th anniversary celebrations, stakeholders are emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to drive economic growth and industrialization through reliable electricity supply. The state government's commitment to expanding the gas turbine facility and ensuring legislative backing will be crucial in achieving this goal.
Key points
- Stakeholders call for legislative backing for the 60MW gas turbine project in Bayelsa State.
- Expansion of the 60-Megawatt gas turbine facility is necessary for statewide electricity coverage.
- Reliable electricity is crucial for economic expansion and curbing social vices in Bayelsa State.
