President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, inaugurated 60-megawatt gas turbine plant leaving expectant residents who anticipated the inauguration to brighten up their homes and businesses.
The commissioned independent power plant at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, our learnt could deliver electricity as expected following assurances by Bayelsa government that president Tinubu’s visit would end the era of darkness.
It was gathered that the state government is currently in a dilemma as to working with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company PHEDC) a company that Former President Jonathan and his ally King A.J. Turner have Substantial interest in.
The Bayelsa Electricity Regulatory Commission had on Wednesday said at a stakeholders meeting that PHEDC would not be the distribution company to evacuate electricity from the new plant.
The commissioning of the plant for not elicit the jubilation across the state as people expressed disgust after their bulbs refused to glow.
People across several communities in Yenagos expressed anger at the fanfare that heralded the inuaguration.
Uduakabasi Aniedi who runs a restraint and beer parlour expressed disappointment at the turbines failure to deliver light to homes.
“I had stocked assorted drinks in anticipation that light from the new power project will power my freezers to cool drinks but all that I expected did not materialise,” she lamented.
At Amarata area of Yenagos resident who hoped the gas fired turbines will provide illumination and power fans to contend with the excessive heat discussed their disappointment in groups.
The president also inaugurated other projects implemented by the Gov. Douye Diri-led administration such as 630 metre Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, Sagbama/Ekeremor Road, and 2.9km Dual-Carriageway in Yenagoa.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting held at the Bayelsa Government House, Tinubu commended Diri for implementing the independent power project.
The president said that Bayelsa people deserved to see governance translated into physical development and better quality of life.
“We are all working hard. Independent power supply is a good thing. I assure Nigerians that they will have electricity to power their growth,” he said.
He urged the governor to implement more people-oriented projects, and pledged that the Federal Government would support his government to achieve more for the state.
Also speaking, Diri commended the president for the visit, and described him as a friend of Bayelsa people.
“We are confident that you will recognise the depth of our appreciation for taking time from your busy schedule to inaugurate these landmark projects.
“Your administration’s decisive policy interventions have paved the way for meaningful reforms in various sectors including power.
“This has enabled us to deliver on our pledge to establish a reliable, independent energy through the construction of these gas‑powered turbines.
“For us as a state, this is not just an achievement, it is a cause for thanksgiving and rejoicing,” he said.
The visit attracted the presence of notable personalities including former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma,, Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umoh Eno, National Assembly members from Bayelsa and a host of signatories