ONE YEAR SCORECARD OF GOV DICKSON: BAYELSA INVESTS N4BN ON POWER SECTOR

Piqued by the epileptic power supply in some parts of the State, the Bayelsa government has released over four billion naira into the power sector in the last one year, while also vigorously pursuing its rural electrification projects across the State.

Giving an account of his Ministry’s stewardship under the Restoration Administration of Governor Seriake Dickson, the State Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Francis Ikio said investments in the power sector became imperative inview its relevance to the economic growth of the State.

The Power sector, according to the Commissioner, plays a significance role in any growing economy, that is why the present administration is leaving no stone unturned at ensuring that all the rural areas become beneficiaries of its Electrification projects.

To this end no fewer than 23 projects have been awarded which include; rehabilitation, reticulation of networks and extension of electricity across several communities in the state, adding that, ten communities in Sagbama Local Government Area are beneficiaries of the rural electricity scheme.

He added that government is making efforts at refurbishing the 20 Megawatt capacity power plant at Imiringi in Ogbia LGA which is currently generating five megawatts to generate up to 15mgw.

Mr Ikio explained that the Ministry recently installed 80 units of 300 KVA electricity transformers in Yenogoa and its environs to end cases of low voltage supply being experienced in those areas.

 According to him, the Energy Ministry is currently supervising the 23 ongoing electricity projects across the state to ensure that set standards and timelines were achieved by contractors.

Some of the projects include the rehabilitation and reticulation of the Obunagha-Sagbama 33 KVA Line as well as extension to Ofoni community through Ebederbiri, Bolou Orua, Angiama and Toru-Orua.

Others include the Sagbama 2×7.5 MVA injection sub-station; Agbere-Odoni 1000KVA Gas fired CAT generating station including cabling; upgrading and modification of Angiama sub-station to import and export electricity to communities in Southern-Ijaw local government area among others.

The Energy Commissioner added that the Ministry was working to ensure the availability of power to keep pace with the development of the State in other critical sectors.