We’ll Provide Potable Water Once Our Independent Power Plant is Completed, Assures Diri
In a move to address the long-standing issue of access to potable water, the Bayelsa State Government has assured residents that it will prioritize the provision of clean water across the state capital and surrounding areas once its independent power project is completed later this year.
Governor Douye Diri made the announcement during his ongoing “Thank-You Tour” of the state’s eight local government councils, which stopped at King Koko Square in Nembe, headquarters of Nembe Local Government Area.
The governor disclosed that the state is expecting the delivery of two 60-megawatt gas-powered turbines procured for the power project, with installation work at the Elebele site nearing completion.
According to Governor Diri, the power project, which is expected to serve Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama, and parts of Ekeremor local government areas, will enable the state to generate its own power and reduce reliance on the existing power supply arrangement.
“Bayelsa is rich in gas, and by the end of this year, the power supply problem will be a thing of the past,” he said.
The governor also assured residents that once the power issue is resolved, the state government will focus on providing access to clean water in Yenagoa, Nembe, and most of the local government areas.
This move is expected to improve the lives of residents and reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases.
In response to requests from residents, Governor Diri promised to explore partnerships with federal agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the South-South Development Commission, to execute road projects that connect communities to the state capital.
He specifically acknowledged the request for the construction of the Igbeta–Ewoama–Okoroba road, which has been a long-standing concern for residents.
The governor’s visit to Nembe was also an opportunity to thank the people for their overwhelming support during the previous governorship election, which returned him and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to office.
“We promised that if re-elected, we would return to say thank you. Today, we are here to fulfil that promise and express our heartfelt appreciation to the people of Nembe Local Government Area,” he said.
In their goodwill messages, several dignitaries, including the immediate past Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Elders Council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo (SAN), commended the governor for his developmental strides, particularly the ongoing Nembe–Brass Road project and efforts to restore peace in the Nembe–Bassambiri community.
The Nembe Local Government Chairman, Chief David Alagoa, and former PDP senatorial candidate, Chief Blessing Izagara, also praised the governor’s achievements and appealed for more projects, including potable water and healthcare facilities for the people of Nembe.
With the completion of the independent power project on the horizon, residents of Bayelsa State can look forward to improved access to clean water and other essential services, which are expected to transform the lives of communities across the state.
