President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a 60-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Elebele, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and assured Nigerians of efforts to ease economic hardships amid high fuel prices. He compared Nigeria's situation favorably to Kenya and other African countries during a civic reception in Yenagoa.
President Bola Tinubu commissioned the 60-megawatt gas-fired Independent Power Plant (IPP) at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Friday. The facility, built under Governor Douye Diri's administration, aims to reduce reliance on the national grid, improve electricity supply for Yenagoa and nearby areas, and boost industrial growth.
At a civic reception in Yenagoa, Tinubu acknowledged the economic challenges, stating, “Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel prices are biting hard. But look around. Let’s just thank God together that we are better off listening to what is happening in Kenya and other African countries. What they are going through.” He attributed the hardships partly to the Middle East crisis and vowed coordination with the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning to provide relief.
Tinubu praised Governor Diri's infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and dual carriageways, for creating jobs. He called the IPP a “critical intervention” for economic growth and pledged support for further development, emphasizing federal-state partnership.
On security, amid recent incidents, Tinubu promised to equip and train armed forces to defeat terrorism and banditry. Governor Diri requested federal refunds for state-funded federal roads, prompting a light-hearted response from the president. The event was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and several governors.
