After a prolonged outage of electricity in the catchment area of the Kolo Creek Power plant, the communities can now heave a sigh of relief as one of the power plant which was under comprehensive rehabilitation came on stream.
The Kolo Creek Gas Turbine Station is situated at Imiringi, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. It was hitherto the only source of electricity in the oil and gas rich state. Prior to the privatisation of the power sector of the economy, the Bayelsa State Electricity Board oversees the management of the station.
Managing Director, Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL), Engr Olice Kemenanabo who disclosed this an exclusive chat with THISDAY stated that the power plant from all indications has come to stay as all the major operating parameters were found to be within the set limits in the books when measured.
Giving an insight into how the feat was achieved, Kemenanabo lauded those who did everything possible for the strides made by the station.
“This historic feat was achieved through the patience, consistency, ingenuity and resilience of the combined team of a few dedicated local technical staff who defied every odd that I proudly called my heroes and the highly proficient Heinzmann United Kingdom crew who has been a very reliable technical support service provider since 2004â€, he said.
The electrical engineer however, said this feat could not have been achieved without the unwavering support of the state governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson and deputy who believed in him and provided the necessary finances and offered technical advice and explanations to both government and the public.
Kemenanabo stressed the fact that it was not yet Uhuru as sustenance and not successful start-up is the key issue.
He called on all stakeholders, especially the end users to join hands with the state government in ensuring sustainability is achieved.
He decried incessant vandalisation of transformers and other electrical accessories in some cases right in the centre of the communities during the downtime.
According to him, the sustenance of the current tempo can only be achieved through collaboration and understanding of all stakeholders as government alone cannot do it without the consumers paying for the services rendered. The days of socio-political power supply has long given way for techno-economic electricity supply
He expressed appreciation to the staff of BECL for their never give up attitude in the midst of what he called “adversity and obvious constrains†in the discharge of their roles and responsibilities.
