The Bayelsa government announced today it's committed Naira 217M to fix the power plant at Imiringi area. The money will be used to refurbish the gas generator of the 20 megawatt plant.
The Bayelsa government announced today it's committed Naira 217M to fix the power plant at Imiringi area. The money will be used to refurbish the gas generator of the 20 megawatt plant.
The generator broke down in October 2013, and subsequently led to a drop in the power supply in the state and load shedding.
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At a press conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Francis Ikio, said the government was spending the money because it believed that the plant was still serviceable. The faulty component was shipped to a Rolls Royce operated workshop. Rolls Royce is the manufacturer of the power plant in Canada.
Mr. Ikio said he could not explain why the government had paid upfront for the repair work which is yet to be completed. And he said while the manufacturers had scheduled to complete the refurbishment by May 2014, the work is now delayed due to a backlog of work at the workshop.
Responding during reporter's question time about the cost of the refurbishment, Mr. Ikio admitted a new power plant of higher capacity will cost Naira 435 million (£1.6 million) and be completed in 18 months.
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According to a source several phantom power projects in the Bayelsa state in the past served as a conduit for government officials to loot the treasury.
The 20 megawatt power plant was reportedly built in 1985.
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