The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Bayelsa State Chapter, has praised the ongoing 60-megawatt gas turbine power project in Elebele Community, Ogbia Local Government Area, initiated by the administration of Governor Douye Diri.
Members of APWEN, alongside engineering students from the Niger Delta University (NDU) and the Federal University Otuoke (FUO), made the commendation during a tour of the power plant project site.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of APWEN Bayelsa, Engr. Amalate Ann-Jonathan Obuebite, said the installation of the 60MW power plant would help the state reduce its dependence on the national grid.
While responding to Governor Douye Diri, who was also at the site for an inspection of the project, Obuebite expressed confidence that Yenagoa would enjoy a stable power supply when the project is completed. She described the project as a welcome development that will benefit residents and businesses in the state.
She explained that the purpose of the visit was to give engineering students the opportunity to see the project firsthand and gain practical knowledge.
“The main reason we came with the students is for them to see what is happening here and experience it themselves. It is important for them to have this kind of exposure,” she said.
Obuebite also noted that the association had earlier visited the Port Harcourt Power Holding Company three months ago, adding that what they saw at the Elebele power project has strengthened their belief that the state will soon enjoy a stable electricity supply.
“This is my first time visiting the site, and it is encouraging to know that Bayelsa will soon be able to generate and distribute its own electricity without depending entirely on the national grid. Sixty megawatts is significant and will go a long way in powering Yenagoa,” she added.
In their separate remarks, Faith Boyo, a 500-level engineering student of Niger Delta University, and Treasure, a 300-level Electrical Engineering student, praised the state government for embarking on such a major power project.
