Diri Urges Patience On Bayelsa Independent Power Takeoff As Osinbajo Set To Inaugurate Key Road
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has appealed to residents to remain patient as the state’s independent power project nears full operation, assuring that the initiative remains firmly on track despite public concerns.
The governor dismissed insinuations of failure surrounding the 60-megawatt gas-fired turbine plant, a flagship project of his administration designed to deliver uninterrupted electricity across the state. The facility was among projects commissioned on April 10, 2026 by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Diri explained that the plant is currently undergoing final technical installations, particularly the integration of critical protective devices necessary to safeguard the turbines and ensure long-term sustainability.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor emphasized that the delay is part of standard procedures to secure the infrastructure and optimize performance before full takeoff.
“There is nothing like darkness as being insinuated in some quarters,” Diri said. “What is ongoing are the final finishing touches. Once the protective systems are fully installed, the turbines will commence operation.”
He criticized individuals attempting to politicize the project, noting that such narratives undermine genuine developmental efforts. According to him, the successful completion of the power plant would ultimately silence critics who doubted the project from inception.
The governor also used the occasion to caution political leaders against stifling the growth of their successors, stressing that true leadership involves nurturing and supporting emerging figures.
“A good father prays for his child to surpass him. Political leaders should adopt the same mindset and encourage those coming behind them to achieve even greater success,” he added.
Meanwhile, Diri announced that former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is scheduled to visit Bayelsa State on April 20, 2026, to inaugurate the Oxbow Lake–Agbura Road.
He noted that Osinbajo, who previously performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Angiama–Oporoma Bridge, is also expected to inspect the bridge project following its recent commissioning by President Tinubu.
The developments underscore ongoing efforts by the Bayelsa State government to strengthen infrastructure and improve living standards across the state.
