Electricity: Diri updates Bayelsans on turbines as BYERA plans stakeholder meeting

Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa State, has updated Bayelsans on the state’s 60-megawatt gas turbine project, explaining that the technical experts were almost done at the power plant.

Diri gave the update on Thursday during the April 2026 Praise Night at the King of Glory Chapel in Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor urged people of the state to be patient as his administration has committed much effort and resources to ensure that the state enjoys stable power supply.

“I urge you to be patient. As a state and government, we have committed much effort and resources to ensure that we enjoy stable power supply,” the governor said.

The governor had earlier announced that consumers would pay for the power they use and assured that his administration would ensure that consumers are provided with meters.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency (BYERA) has planned a stakeholder meeting to vet on its proposed Licensing and Market Entry Regulations, 2026.

A statement by Rosalyn Dressman, director general, BYERA,
earlier on Wednesday said the proposed meeting would hold on Monday, May 11, 2026 at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.

The statement said the meeting was being organised as part of efforts to ensure transparency and sound regulatory practice in developing the intrastate electricity market.

The 60-megawatt gas turbines was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on April 10, 2026, but some work still remains to be done before supplying electricity to consumers.

The stakeholders meeting is therefore a necessary step to lay the groundwork for a harmonious relationship and understanding between the agency and consumers.

Following from the above, BYERA has invited operators, investors, developers, consumer groups, public institutions, professional advisers, civil society organisations and members of the public to review the Exposure Draft before the session.

The draft regulations outline the framework for licensing and market entry in Bayelsa’s electricity sector.

It covers authorisation categories, application procedures, fees and levies, annual operating fees, transitional arrangements for existing operators, consumer protection duties, compliance obligations, enforcement procedures, renewal requirements, and related matters.

“The vetting process will ensure the regulations are practical, legally sound, and responsive to sector needs.

“This engagement gives stakeholders the opportunity to review the draft regulations and provide constructive comments before final approval and gazetting.

“BYERA is committed to building a predictable and investor-friendly regulatory environment while protecting consumers and ensuring orderly development of the Bayelsa electricity market,” Dressman said.

With the issue of electricity supply from the turbines generating discussions across the state, particularly in Yenagoa, Dressman called on stakeholders to download the exposure draft.

She urged stakeholders to review the draft, and submit written comments identifying any legal, technical, commercial, operational, consumer-protection, or implementation issues for consideration.

According to her, people can access the Exposure Draft on the agency’s online portal and equally welcomed comments on the draft.

BYERA said that it expects constructive inputs from stakeholders to establish a clear, fair, and predictable licensing and market-entry framework for electricity regulation in the state.