The Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, has praised the Bayelsa State Government for its visionary move to establish a 60MW gas power plant, recognizing its potential to transform the region’s energy landscape.
During his visit on Thursday to assess the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) at Elebele, a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital, the Minister—represented by senior ministry official Mr. Adimchinobi Okereke—emphasized the importance of ensuring the project adheres to established environmental guidelines. He highlighted that, once completed, the power plant would not only improve electricity supply for Bayelsans but also help alleviate the nation’s persistent power challenges.
“The purpose of this visit and workshop is to ensure that a thorough EIA is conducted before granting final approval. This project is a major step forward for Bayelsa and Nigeria as a whole, as it will significantly improve power supply for the state and beyond,” he stated.
Accompanying the Minister on the site tour, Engr. Steve Bubagha Jnr., Director of Operations at Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, explained that the company plans to install a 60MW ‘plug and play’ gas-fired turbine. This will be powered by the Oando gas manifold located within the Elebele community. He disclosed that the project spans 5.8 hectares of land, with 2.1 hectares currently in use for what is officially named the ‘Yenagoa Power Project.’
“This turbine is designed for quick installation. Once the remaining components are in place, the project should be up and running within two years at most,” Bubagha assured.
Speaking on the project’s environmental impact, Prof. Azibola Inegite, EIA consultant and Dean of the Faculty of Science at Niger Delta University, emphasized that a thorough environmental impact assessment would be carried out to ensure sustainability and compliance with global best practices.
Expressing his excitement, Snr. Comrade Wisdom Ikuli, Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Print Media/Public Affairs, commended Governor Douye Diri for his foresight. He noted that the project would not only ease the burden of frequent power outages but also foster economic growth and accelerate industrialization in the state.
A key highlight of the Minister’s visit was a stakeholder engagement workshop titled, **“Stakeholders Engagement Scoping Workshop for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Proposed Installation of Gas Powered Plant and Gas Delivery Pipeline in Bayelsa State.”** The event brought together representatives from Elebele, the host community, Kpansia, an impacted community in Yenagoa LGA, and other relevant stakeholders.
It is worth noting that, as part of its commitment to addressing the state’s worsening power supply, the Bayelsa State Government recently approved the purchase and installation of the 60MW gas-fired twin turbine in Elebele, Ogbia Local Government Area.
This power project is more than just infrastructure—it’s a beacon of hope for businesses, households, and the future development of Bayelsa State.
