By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

The Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, BECL, Olice Kemenanabo, has disclosed that the 60 megawatts gas turbine recently acquired by the state government will soon be installed, just as he assured that the December completion date of the project is still feasible.

Kemenanabo, who was accompanied by the Technical Adviser to the State Governor on Media (Print and Public Affairs) Mr. Wisdom Ikuli, gave the assurance yesterday while taking newsmen round the project site at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

Represented by the Director of Operations of the company, Mr. Steve Bubagha jnr, Kemenanabo reiterated the resolve to deliver the project according to specifications and within timelines.

Kemenanabo, who was accompanied by the Technical Adviser to the State Governor on Media(Print) and Public Affairs, Mr Wisdom Ikuli said: “You can see for yourselves as tours of the gas turbines site today. Already works on this site have reached advance stages. These buildings you see people working on here are part of the gas fired turbine power project.

“As we speak, we have started installing new polls and towers that will enable us distribute power from the gas turbines to Bayelsans as promised by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

“And so with the level of work already done, we’re very optimistic that going by the governor’s promise, that we’re going to complete installation of the new 60mg gas turbines and supply electricity to Bayelsans by the end of this year.”

On the relationship between the host community and the state government, he stressed that the firm and the community enjoy a cordial working relationship, adding that the host community has been very cooperative and has continued to synergize with the firm for timely completion of the project.

“Elebele, the host community of the project has been very cooperative. Infact Elebele describes itself as Bayelsa’s most peaceful community. And so we have been enjoying a cordial relationship with the people and leadership of the community,” he said.

Also speaking, the Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Media(Print) and Public Affairs, Mr Wisdom Ikuli, commended Governor Douye Diri for his infrastructural revolution in the state and likened the Governor’s achievements to that of the first civilian Governor of Old Rivers State, Late Chief Meldford Okilo.

He noted that upon the completion of the project the state would be better for it, as businesses will relocate from other parts of the country to the State, noting that the governor’s giant strides are not limited to electricity alone but in all sectors.