Bayelsa State government is set to build another 100-megawatt gas turbine in partnership with Independent Power Energy Limited of America, the state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has disclosed.
The state government also plans to upgrade the existing power plant in Imingiri to bring the generating capacity of both plants to 214 megawatts. The project is to be financed by Deutsch Bank of Germany.
A statement by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson said the project would be completed in one year under a Private Public Partnership (PPP) agreement between the American company and Bayelsa state.
“When completed, part of the power generated will sold to the national grid and generate income for the State and the investing company for a year after its commissioning,” the CPS added.
He described the projects as being in line with Governor Dickson’s promise to develop critical infrastructure that will create the enabling environment for foreign and local investments to thrive in the State.
According to the statement, the President of Independent Power Energy Limited, Mr. Ian Duff, told reporters newsmen shortly after a meeting between top officials of the State Government and the company at Bayelsa House, Abuja, that his company will deliver on target.
“Duff, who led a high powered delegation to the meeting comprising officials of IPP Energy Ltd and Deutsch Bank of Germany Germany, said they were encouraged to invest in Bayelsa State because of the favorable reports they had received about ongoing developments in the state,” the statement stressed.
He affirmed that standards would not be compromised in the construction of the plant, stressing that the company was ready to build a first class independent gas power plant, which will be comparable to any other one in the world.
Mr. Duff announced plans by the company to employ Nigerians, especially Bayelsans, who would also be trained with the latest technological skills of gas turbine operations and maintenance.
As part of the company’s social responsibility, Duff said, a clinic will also be set up to take care of the health needs of workers and indigenes of the host communities.
Present at the meeting were Bayelsa State Commissioner for Energy, Hon. Francis Ikio, Commissioner for trade and Investments, Hon. Ayakeme Masa, Commissioner for Special Projects, Hon. Fred Obua, Commissioner for works and infrastructure, Hon. Lawrence Ewhrudiakpo, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Investments, Mr. Cyril Akika