By John Odhe, YENAGOA
At last, respite has come the way of Bayelsans as the long awaited 60-megawatt gas turbine recently commissioned by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now undergoing test-run in some parts of Yenagoa, the state capital.
Since the commissioning of the independent electricity project on April 10th 2026, Bayelsans have been grumbling bitterly having not seen light from the turbine despite repeated advice from the State government, urging them to be patient.
With the ongoing test-run, hope has risen amongst Bayelsans that the gas turbine project is not a ruse after all.
The State governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Sunday, recounted the state’s journey to its gas-powered electricity project and how the demise of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, in 2024 almost scuttled it.
Governor Diri also stated that the power turbines, commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on April 10, were undergoing test-run in some parts of Yenagoa, the state capital city, and will be extended to other areas soon.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that this was a breakthrough in his administration’s push to provide 24-hour electricity in the state.
The Bayelsa helmsman, who was the special guest at the “Feast Day Cultural Fiesta” of the St. Mathias Catholic, Amarata, Yenagoa, said power from the turbines had reached the Opolo axis and was being extended towards the NDDC state headquarters, with supply expected to reach Kpansia and beyond this week.
He explained that the newly installed power plant was electronically controlled and had the capacity to supply 24-hour electricity to homes in the state.
His words: “Our gas turbine project is not dead as some insinuated. It was actually in its final stages.
“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 Kpansia axis and beyond.
“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. All of them have been tested, and they are ready to supply light day by day.“
On how the journey began, Diri disclosed that in his first term, he had talks with the late Access Bank CEO, Wigwe, which unfortunately collapsed following his death in a plane crash.
“I started this electricity matter with Access Bank and the late Herbert Wigwe. 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,” Diri painfully recalled.
He said a friend later offered to deploy a ship-mounted power plant to Yenagoa, but he insisted on a land-based solution that would utilise the state’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,” he stated.
Diri further said that the test-run stage had faced some initial challenges as a result of aging transmission lines, noting that some cables fail when they were energised.
According to him, the project’s engineers were working to upgrade the lines and had proposed introducing electronic systems.
“The only challenge we have is that the PHEDC ( Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company) 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.
He however assured that stable electricity was now guaranteed and that he had never played politics with the development of the state.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the structural development of the church, and that he would be glad to see the edifice completed under his administration.
In his address, Parish Priest of the St. Mathias Catholic Church, Rev. Father Bruno Douglas, commended Governor Diri for consistently supporting the church and faith-based initiatives in the state.
Fr. Douglas said Diri’s presence at the service was proof of his commitment to faith and community development.
“Your Excellency, by honouring us with your presence today, you have again demonstrated that you are not only a people-oriented governor, but also a God-loving and God-fearing leader who appreciates the place of faith in building a peaceful and progressive society,” he said.
The priest noted that access to government support for church projects had been difficult before Diri assumed office in February 2020 and prayed that the administration would continue to foster unity and faith across the state.
