…Diri says Bayelsa, most climate impacted state
By Eunice Nnachi
The Bayelsa State Executive Council has approved the purchase of 60 megawatts gas turbines to boost electricity supply in the state.
The state cabinet gave the approval during its 151st meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
Briefing the press after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and her Ministry of Power counterpart, Engr. Kharin Komuko, said the project would ensure constant power supply and prevent a repeat of the recent long period of power outage the state was plunged into by vandals.
According to the Power Commissioner, arrangements for purchase of the gas turbine were over 70 per cent concluded and that the installation would be completed before the end of this year.
He said the frequent incidents of vandalism of power facilities were sabotage.
He said: “Exco approved the purchase of gas turbines with a combined capacity of 60 megawatts that will serve Yenagoa and environs.”
His Information Commissioner counterpart added: “Approval was given expressly for the purchase of the turbines. That is to say, hopefully, before the end of this year, Bayelsa people will begin to enjoy uninterrupted power supply.
“I believe this is a good one for us as a state as it will boost our economy and attract more investors.”
She further disclosed that the council approved the use of the state-owned luxury buses to convey commuters to the new transport terminal at Igbogene at a reduced fare to cushion the effect of the hike in fares by commercial transporters.
Her Ministry of Transport counterpart, Preye Brodrick, also revealed that council approved the building of bus stops at designated areas as part of the urban renewal drive of the administration.
Brodrick who stated that there was noticeable sanity on the roads in the state capital due to the relocation of private commercial transporters to the new terminal, appealed to commuters and people of Bayelsa to support and patronise the terminal despite the challenges.
In another development, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, described the state as the most climate impacted in the country.
Governor Diri stated this in his office when he received a delegation from the National Climate Change Secretariat led by the Director General, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe.
He said issues about climate change were dear to the state due to the heavy impact it has had on Bayelsa.
The governor urged the Climate Change team to explore the mangroves of the state by visiting not only Nembe but also include other local government areas, especially Brass, Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor, saying it was the best way to appreciate the Bayelsa situation.
He said his administration will partner with the Climate Change Secretariat on issues affecting the state, stressing that there was so much the state and the agency can achieve working together.
