FG Commences EIA On Proposed BECL Installation Of 60mw Gas Power Plant In Yenagoa
By Inegbagha Majesty
The federal government on Thursday has commenced Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the proposed new 60mw gas power plant, called Yenagoa Power Project initiated by the Bayelsa State Government through the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL).
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, visited the project site with his team at Elebele, along Igbogene - Elebele newly constructed highway; and began the EIA exercise, before proceeded to the EIA engagement meeting/scoping workshop organized by BECL at Southern Atlantic Hotel and Apartment along Opolo road in Yenagoa.
The Minister who was represented by a Senior official of the Ministry, Mr Adimchirobi Okereke expressed satisfaction with the site for the project; and also, was impress by the outcome of the EIA scoping workshop where stakeholders and the host community were giving opportunity to express their views on the project situated on their land.
Earlier, the minister said, the purpose for this visit and workshop is to ensure that a proper EIA was carried out before final approval of the project, stating that the project is a welcome development for the state and Nigeria as it will not only benefit the state and its people alone, but would also solve the problem of insufficient power supply to a segment of the nation.
In his welcome remarks, the Managing Director of BECL, Engr Ollis Kemenanabo had said that the project which was named" Yenagoa Power Project " when completed and commence operation would boost electricity and better the lives of her citizens.
According to Engr Ollis who spoke through the Director Operations, Engr Steve Bubagha Jr, said the state government intention for embarking on the project, was to guarantee constant power supply that would boost commercial and industrial activities in the state capital and environs.
He added that the state government motive was also to minimize the control of inherent noise and air pollution create by Small petrol and diesel engine during power outage.
It was also to create employment opportunity for the citizens and occupants of the state, apart from decomposition of the land problem by enabling the redeployment of power previously consumed in some parts of the state to the newly constructed network.
At the project site, Engr Bubagha said about 5.8 hectares of land was acquired for the project, nevertheless the company presently cleared 2.1 hectares for commencement of ‘Yenagoa Power Project.
He stated that the 60mw ‘plug and play’ Gas fired turbine will be powered by the Oando gas manifold.
His words “This is a ‘plug and play’ Gas Turbine. What we mean by ‘plug and play’ is that the turbine is already set to be fixed. What we are waiting for is just to work on other components of the gas turbine, and so in less than two years or at most in two years’ time the turbine should be running”.
According to him, the Yenagoa Power Project will also grow businesses and fast track the processes of industrialization of state.
In a chat with journalists during the exercise, Technical Adviser to state Governor on Print Media/Public extolled Governor Douye Diri for executing the project.
The believed that the proposed 60 MW power plant will curb the effect of the persistent power outages experienced in the state.
Those present at the scoping workshop include Mrs Nancy Dei Anthony-Controller Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Ignatuis Njoku, Director of Assessment, Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment as well as stakeholders and host communities.
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