YENAGOA – Bayelsa state government has assured residents of 24 hours uninterrupted power supply by September, 2018.
The government which blamed recent power outage on cable theft and vandalisation, also disclosed that all the Local Government Areas in the state have been connected to the national grid.
The Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, gave the assurance on Thursday while showcasing the activities of the Ministry of Power since the inception of the present administration.
Kemenanabo said efforts are being put in place towards achieving the target, which include, upgrading of existing electricity transmission stations from 40 to 90 mega watts as well as ensure that the second mobile transformer functions optimally.
He said, “We have upgraded the transmission from 40 to 90 MVA, we also want to work on the second mobile transformer to make sure that we have a second transmission station that will serve the eastern part of Bayelsa, then dedicate the supply from the 90 MVA for the central and western parts of the state. By so doing, the constraints in the sector would be a thing of the past.”
According to him, the mobile transformer will serve as a second transmission station to service the eastern part of the state while the power generated from the 90 mega watts transmission station will be dedicated to cover the central and western parts of Bayelsa.
Engr. Kemenanabo also pointed out that the state government had signed an agreement with a private firm in December last year to provide a 5.26 mega watts power plant to boost power supply.
He explained that the power plant was being provided to service communities in the Agbere-Odoni axis not only to boost social activities but also for the economic emancipation of the area through the proposed industrial park.
Also, Commissioner for Power, Chief Partner Jim-Ogbolo said in the last 6 years government awarded 48 projects, out of which 23 have been completed while 25 are ongoing.
On challenges, Chief Jim-Ogbolo blamed the current power outage on vandalism on the 132KVA high transmission line by some youths in Ahoada area and a faulty 40MVA transformer at the Gbarantoru sub station.
He however assured that power would soon be restored as efforts are on to rectify the problem.
He also enumerated achievements in the sector to include, construction of a new 33 KVA sub transmission line from Ogbia to Nembe, Ikibiri-Angiama 33 KVA, upgrading of electricity supply in Akipelai community.
Others are, Okpoama/Diema electrification project, rehabilitation of Nun River 33KV feeder to serve Southern Ijaw local government headquarters including the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso Markson, said the restoration administration is investing so much in the power sector with a view to driving industrialization and wealth creation.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, King Alfred Diets Spiff urged the state government to explore other sources of power such as solar and wind energy.
