Bayelsa: Gov Diri Moves To Restore Electricity Supply To State

By Ayodele Oni

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has lamented weeks of power cut to the State, which has put burden on the residents.

The Governor stated that beside the challenges that it poses to small businesses, it has put unprecedented financial pressure on the people.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on print media, Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli noted that “Bayelsans spend so much on fuel and others, which has directly led to hike in prices of goods and services.

“It is no longer news that Bayelsa state has been in darkness for some weeks. The above development is affecting all Bayelsans and other residents directly and indirectly.

“Governor Douye Diri is working round the clock to resolve the power situation. He is also making efforts to have alternative power sources especially now that Power has been designated in the Concurrent List of the 1999 Constitution As Amended, thereby giving power to state governments to generate and also distribute power.

“It is common knowledge that the electricity problem is not the making of the Governor. Some criminals vandalized the Transmission Tower Line between Ahoada-Yenagoa along the East-West Road.

“In the process, the criminals who have been arrested stole Floor Core Armoured Cables, SLPE Cables, Electrical Pot Installator, KV Poles, Recline Cables, Earth Cables, Bee Copper and other facilities.

“Even though the vandalized facilities belong to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Gov. Douye Diri has not rested because of the overwhelming negative impacts on the state that is the worst hit.

“Three weeks ago, one of the Engineers that are working on the Tower, fell from that height and died instantly. Another Engineer that fell survived, but has serious spinal cord injury and was immediately flown to Abuja for better medical attention.

“Governor Douye Diri is extremely worried. His pressure forced the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to run to the state.

“No leader with a compassionate heart like Governor Diri can be happy when his people are going through excruciating pains that is worsened by the prevalent economic realities in the country.”