Bayelsa power project enters test phase as Governor Diri says Herbert Wigwe’s death nearly disrupted the initiative

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, on Sunday revealed that the death of former Access Bank Plc Chief Executive Officer Herbert Wigwe in 2024 nearly disrupted the state’s ambitious gas-powered electricity initiative.

Also read: Herbert Wigwe linked to 80 secretive companies

Diri also announced that the Bayelsa power project had entered its testing phase, with electricity already being supplied to parts of Yenagoa following the commissioning of the turbines by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 10.

According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor described the project as a breakthrough in efforts to deliver stable 24-hour electricity across the state.

Speaking during the “Feast Day Cultural Fiesta” organised by St Mathias Catholic Church in Amarata, Yenagoa, Diri said electricity from the turbines had already reached the Opolo axis and was extending towards the NDDC headquarters area.

He added that power supply was expected to reach Kpansia and neighbouring communities within days.

“Our gas turbine project is not dead as some insinuated. It was actually in its final stages,” Diri said.

“As I speak, power is gradually getting to homes in parts of Yenagoa. I was reliably briefed that it had got to the Opolo axis and getting down to the NDDC state headquarters area. By today or tomorrow, it will get to the Kpansia axis and beyond.”

The governor explained that the newly installed turbines are electronically controlled and more advanced than earlier systems introduced in the state decades ago.

“This gas turbine is not like the one procured by our late leader, Chief Melford Okilo, at Imiringi. Those ones are now analogue. These ones are electronically controlled. So, it is an e-gas turbine,” he said.

Diri recounted that discussions around the Bayelsa power project began during his first term in office through negotiations with Wigwe before the banker’s death in a helicopter crash halted the planned agreement.

“At the point we were to sign an MoU, Wigwe came to my country home in Sampou and we agreed on everything. Then he left for America and that was the last of him,” the governor recalled.

He disclosed that another proposal involving a ship-mounted power plant was rejected because he preferred a permanent land-based solution capable of harnessing Bayelsa’s gas resources.

“I told my dear friend I do not need a ship on our waters to supply power. I want electricity on ground here in Yenagoa. We are very rich in oil and gas, and I believe it could be achieved through gas turbines,” Diri stated.

The governor acknowledged that the project’s testing phase had exposed major weaknesses in transmission infrastructure operated by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company.

According to him, ageing lines and damaged cables caused repeated disruptions whenever power was transmitted from the new plant.

“The only challenge we have is that the PHEDC lines are very bad. The moment power is supplied from our plant, the lines fail, particularly in areas where the wires are broken. And because our power system is electronic, it trips off,” he said.

Despite the setbacks, Diri assured residents that stable electricity supply would soon be guaranteed across the state.

The governor also expressed satisfaction with the development of St Mathias Catholic Church and pledged continued support for community and faith-based projects.

In his remarks, Parish Priest Bruno Douglas commended Diri for supporting church activities and promoting unity within the state.