Speaking through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, the governor said the initiative remains a key part of his administration’s drive to deliver 24-hour electricity across the state.

Diri explained that during his first term, discussions were held with the late Wigwe on partnering to develop the project, but the plan collapsed following Wigwe’s tragic 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 recalled.

He added that after Wigwe’s passing, another proposal was made to deploy a ship-mounted power plant to Yenagoa, but he rejected it in favour of a land-based gas solution that would harness Bayelsa’s natural resources.

“I told my dear friend I do not need a ship on our waters to supply power. I want electricity on the ground here in Yenagoa. We are very rich in oil and gas, and I believe it could be achieved through gas turbines,” he said.

Diri also disclosed that the gas turbines, commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on April 10, are currently undergoing test runs in parts of Yenagoa and will soon be extended to other areas.

He described the project as a major milestone in his administration’s ambition to achieve round-the-clock electricity supply in the state.

The governor, who spoke at the “Feast Day Cultural Fiesta” of St Mathias Catholic Church in Amarata, Yenagoa, said electricity from the turbines had already reached the Opolo axis and was being extended toward the NDDC state headquarters, with expansion expected to Kpansia and surrounding areas.

He said the new power plant is fully electronic and capable of delivering continuous electricity supply once fully deployed.

Diri stated, “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 the 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.”

He further explained that the project has faced challenges due to ageing transmission infrastructure, noting that some distribution lines fail when energized.

According to him, engineers are currently working to upgrade the network and introduce more advanced electronic systems to stabilize supply.

“The only challenge we have is that the PHEDC 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.