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As Bayelsa State was plunged into darkness following the vandalisation of power towers connecting it to the national grid, Governor Douye Diri has revealed that the state would hasten to unveil its independent power project soon.
Diri, who stated this on Saturday during the 13th Annual Thanksgiving of the state at the Ecumenical Centre in Yenagoa, said the citizens were feeling the brunt of the darkness, which started about three months ago.
Bayelsa State has had power challenges since its gas turbines stopped working, and the governor did not provide any details on the independent power project.
He, however, assured that the electricity supply would soon be restored as the state has had to put in money to repair the power transmission infrastructure belonging to the Federal Government.
On attendance at the annual event, the governor said it was not legally binding, but the people came to thank God out of profound gratitude for his goodness to the state.
Bayelsa State has enshrined November 2 every year as Annual Thanksgiving Day since 2012, and in this 13th edition, Diri said Bayelsans have numerous reasons to be thankful to God despite its and Nigeria’s challenges.
He said this year’s celebration was special due to the victory in the last governorship election and the many legal hurdles that he and his deputy scaled.
The governor noted that without the support of his deputy and the people of the state, it would have been difficult for him to achieve the level of success recorded so far.
He also expressed gratitude to God that there was no flood this year and that it has not been as devastating as that of 2022, despite contrary predictions.
Diri, who also thanked God for the prevailing peace and security in the state, expressed appreciation for the support of service commanders who have been working closely with his administration to maintain the peace.
He said, “November 2 was enshrined in our laws as a day of memorial under the Restoration Government of my predecessor, His Excellency Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
“Today, we have gathered again not out of legal obligation but with hearts full of gratitude and genuine appreciation for the Lord’s profound presence in our lives—that presence that transforms adversity into rejoicing and defeat into triumph.
“No matter your condition, thank God. Today’s Thanksgiving is special because God gave me and my deputy victory in last year’s election, and it was Bayelsa who became victorious. We had a protracted legal battle after the victory, and we still emerged victorious.
“We are also thankful to God that, contrary to predictions, this year’s flood was not as devastating as expected.
“I like to apologise for the darkness we have experienced in the state these past three months. It was the duty of the Transition Company of Nigeria to fix the damaged power infrastructure, but we intervened because our people were suffering. Anytime from now, power will be restored. But, importantly, we are in the process of having our own independent power plant.
“Let me also appreciate all the service commanders that are here to work with the government to maintain peace and security.”
Delivering a sermon, the General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, expressed gratitude to God for using the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, to create the state, saying that was the foundation for the development and happiness of all Bayelsans.
Zilly-Aggrey described Thanksgiving as a necessity for humans, saying everything must not be perfect before God is appreciated.
Unlike in previous editions of Thanksgiving Day, Bayelsans from the main opposition All Progressives Congress, including the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, and former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu, were in attendance.
Other dignitaries at the event included former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; immediate past governor, Senator Seriake Dickson; and former military administrators of the state, Col. Edor Obi (rtd); and Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd).
Also in attendance were two former governors of Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff and Chief Rufus Ada-George, serving and former National Assembly members, Head of the Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson Jack, and former NDDC Managing Director, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe.
