With 24-Hour Power on the Horizon, Bayelsa Set for Industrial Takeoff — Gov. Diri

With 24-Hour Power on the Horizon, Bayelsa Set for Industrial Takeoff — Gov. Diri

By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi

Bayelsa State is on the edge of a major economic rebirth as Governor Douye Diri announces that the state will soon enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply—an achievement expected to transform the state into a hub of manufacturing, technology, and agro-industrial expansion.

The governor made the revelation on Thursday during the 41st Annual General Meeting/Exhibition of the Bayelsa/Rivers branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), held in Yenagoa. Speaking to an audience of industry captains, innovators, investors and manufacturers, Governor Diri declared that Bayelsa had entered a new era of purposeful transformation.

At the centre of this optimism is the state-owned Independent Power Plant, where installation of a 60-megawatt gas turbine is now in its final phase, with completion scheduled for December.

“Bayelsa is poised to become a hub for industrial growth,” Governor Diri said. “We are eager to work with you to unlock opportunities across the blue economy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.”

A State of Boundless Potential

The governor described Bayelsa as “a land of immense potential and promise,” emphasizing that his administration has been intentional in creating an environment where businesses can flourish—an environment anchored on power supply, infrastructural expansion, technological innovation, and enhanced security.

Over the past three years, Bayelsa has witnessed a decisive push to diversify its economy and attract investments, and Governor Diri maintained that the next phase of development required deeper partnerships between the government and the private sector.

He assured investors that the state remains one of the safest in the Niger Delta, explaining that massive investments in security infrastructure—particularly the deployment of statewide CCTV monitoring systems—have significantly improved surveillance, intelligence gathering and crime prevention.

Infrastructure Revolution: Connecting Communities to Commerce

Governor Diri spoke passionately about the unprecedented scale of infrastructural development currently ongoing across Bayelsa. Roads that were previously considered impossible are now redefining commercial access and inter-community relations.

Flagship projects include:

  • Sagbama–Ekeremor–Agge Road, opening access to the Atlantic coastline

  • Nembe–Brass Road, one of the most challenging but transformative projects in the region

  • Yenagoa–Oporoma–Ukubie Road, now crowned by the iconic 630-metre River Nun Bridge

These corridors, according to him, are not mere roads—they are catalysts for commerce, tourism, investment inflows, agricultural expansion, and long-term industrialization.

Strategic Partnerships: Local and Global

Highlighting the growing investor confidence in Bayelsa, Governor Diri noted that the state is already partnering with globally reputable institutions such as:

  • Jampur Group (Dubai)

  • China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC)

  • Indigenous giants like the Dangote Group and Innoson Motors

These partnerships, he noted, are clear indicators of Bayelsa’s rising profile as a secure, stable and investment-friendly environment.

MAN Leadership Applauds Bayelsa’s Direction

Delivering his keynote address, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye applauded the governor for establishing technical and vocational colleges across all local government areas—a move he described as “a strategic investment in the future of manufacturing.”

He emphasized that power remained the most crucial ingredient for industrial development and urged the governor to stay committed to the independent power project.

Similarly, the President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, urged Niger Delta governors to take deliberate steps to support manufacturing in order to sustain economic growth and foster regional stability.

A Future Built on Power, Skills, and Possibilities

Bayelsa’s journey from a primarily oil-dependent economy to a diversified industrial powerhouse is gaining momentum. With stable power, expanded transport networks, strengthened security, and renewed investor confidence, the state is gradually becoming a fertile ground for industries seeking long-term growth.

Governor Diri’s message was clear: Bayelsa is ready—ready for investment, ready for manufacturing, and ready to lead the next chapter of industrial development in the Niger Delta.

Source:

Official press statement by Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State (November 14, 2025)

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