Questions are mounting in Bayelsa State over the fate and operational framework of the newly inaugurated 60-megawatt Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Yenagoa, as residents continue to await electricity supply from the facility.
The concerns come despite recent assurances by Governor Douye Diri that the plant was being installed with adequate safety and protective devices. The governor, however, declined to disclose the cost of the project during an inspection, promising that details would be made public after completion—a pledge yet to be fulfilled.
Stakeholders have raised fresh worries over the sustainability of the project, particularly the cost of gas supply, which is denominated in dollars. With the Federal Government already spending trillions of naira on electricity subsidies, questions are being asked about whether the Bayelsa State Government would subsidise electricity generated from the plant or pass the full cost to consumers.
The 60MW facility is designed to consume about 11.2 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMSCFD). Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company, Engr. Olice Olice Kemenanabo, disclosed that gas supply to the plant is projected to cost about $3.5 million per quarter.
Oando PLC had, on April 16, 2026, confirmed that its joint venture with NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) had commenced gas delivery to the plant. The company stated that the NEPL/Oando JV is the sole supplier, delivering gas through the Elebele Valve Station under a long-term agreement to ensure steady supply.
The plant, which was commissioned on April 10, 2026 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is part of the state government’s broader infrastructure drive aimed at improving power supply and stimulating economic growth.
However, beyond generation, uncertainties persist over power distribution. Residents and industry watchers are awaiting the state government’s decision on whether to build a new distribution network or rely on the existing infrastructure operated by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED).
There are also concerns over delays in ancillary components of the project. Jampour Group, the contractor handling the plant and a separate $3 million metering contract, is yet to commence visible work, raising doubts about timelines for full rollout.
While some stakeholders downplay fears over gas costs, citing the state’s previous operation of a 15MW plant, others argue that unresolved structural and financial issues could delay the delivery of electricity to homes and businesses.
Many residents, who have long endured estimated billing and erratic supply, say they are willing to pay for stable electricity but remain uncertain about when the new plant will begin to impact their daily lives.
The combination of cost concerns, infrastructure questions, and implementation delays has heightened apprehension that the wait for reliable power in Bayelsa may be longer than initially anticipated.
