Bayelsa govt pledges to partner private investors on power generation

The Bayelsa Government has expressed willingness to partner private investors in the power sector towards improving electricity generation in the state.

The Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the expression on Wednesday when the House of Representatives Committee on Power visited him

Ewhrudjakpo said that inadequate power supply was a major impediment to the growth of small and medium scale businesses in the state.

He stated that although investment in the power sector could be capital intensive, the state government remained willing to work in partnership with reliable investors in the sector.

“Our doors are open to genuine partnerships, the whole essence is to meet the electricity need of the state,” he said.

The deputy governor commended the National Assembly for passing the amended Electricity Act, 2024, which he said had opened the sector up for more investments.

“As a government, we are ready to key into the opportunity provided by this law to invest towards boosting power generation in the state.,” he said.

Ewhrudjakpo urged the national assembly to facilitate the resuscitation of the Gbaran 252 Mega Watts Power Station in Koroama, which was partly gutted by fire in 2023.

Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Power, Victor Nwokolo said the committee was in Bayelsa for an on-the-spot inspection of the Gbaran transmission station.

He assured that the committee would report its findings to the house to enable it make informed decisions towards improving power supply in the state.