How Herbert Wigwe’s p∆ssing almost stopped Bayelsa power project — Diri
How Herbert Wigwe’s passing almost stopped Bayelsa power project — Diri
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Sunday, recounted the state’s journey to its gas-powered electricity project and how the death of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, in 2024, almost scuttled it.
Diri also stated that the power turbines, commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on April 10, were undergoing test runs in some parts of Yenagoa, the state capital, and would be extended to other areas soon.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the project 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 St Mathias Catholic Church, 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 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.”
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 recalled.
Wigwe
Herbert Wigwe
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.
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“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 ageing transmission lines, noting that some cables failed 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 said he would be glad to see the edifice completed under his administration.
In his address, Parish Priest of St Mathias Catholic Church, Rev. Fr 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.
