The Bayelsa State Executive Council has approved the purchase of a 60 megawatts gas turbines to boost electricity supply in the state.
Daniel Alabra, the spokesman to Governor Douye Diri, in a statement on Thursday, said the state’s cabinet gave the approval during its 151st meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
The statement said the project would ensure constant power supply and prevent a repeat of the recent long period of power outage the state was plunged into by vandals.
Alabra revealed that the arrangement for purchase of the gas turbines was over 70 percent concluded and that the installation would be completed before the end of the year.
He said the frequent incidents of vandalising power facilities was an act of sabotage, adding that the gas turbines will serve Yenagoa and environs.
In another development, Gov. Diri, has described the state as the most climate impacted in the country.
Gov. Diri stated this in his office, when he received a delegation from the National Climate Change Secretariat led by the Director General, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe.
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He said issues about climate change were dear to the state due to the heavy impact it has had on Bayelsa.
The governor urged the climate change team to explore the mangroves of the state by visiting not only Nembe, but also other local government areas, especially Brass, Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor, to best appreciate the Bayelsa situation.
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Climate Change Secretariat, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, said the team was in Bayelsa State to examine its mangrove given that the mangroves in the Niger Delta region had been identified as the largest in Africa.
She said the visit was necessary to be able to identify areas the state can be given the necessary support.
Maduekwe appealed to the governor to adopt the climate change law, assuring that the agency was willing to work with the state to tackle issues associated with climate change.
