By Jesse Ese

National News – Anger, frustration and disbelief swept across Yenagoa as darkness greeted Bayelsans after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Douye Diri commissioned the much-celebrated 60 megawatts gas turbine expected to end years of epileptic power supply in the state.

The project, which had been promoted as a major breakthrough for Bayelsa’s electricity crisis, instead left residents in blackout, triggering outrage across the state capital.

From Azikoro to Amarata, Kpansia to Okaka and other areas, Yenagoa residents who had waited anxiously for improved electricity supply after the commissioning were met with darkness — a development many described as embarrassing and disappointing.

For many residents, the optics were troubling — celebration during the day, blackout at night.

“The President Commissioned Blackout” — David West

Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation in Bayelsa, Comrade David West, described the situation as disappointing and warned that the project risked becoming another failed power initiative.

“It’s a laudable project, but we are disappointed with what we are seeing. Bayelsans are disappointed because this is just like another April fool project. There’s no clear picture of sincerity from the government on how to give Bayelsans the light,” he said.

West noted that Bayelsans expected immediate electricity supply after the commissioning.

“Once it was commissioned, we expected light. With nothing on ground to distribute the light, it will seem like the Imiringi gas turbine during Seriake Dickson’s tenure. It was the same Olice Kemenanabo that handled that project which never worked – after big money was spent.”

He further raised concerns about distribution infrastructure and ownership.

“Beside that, PHED owns the lines. Now, they have said that PHED is not the one to distribute the line, and there was no clear arrangement. You don’t own the cables and you cannot just come and take over the wires.”

“There should have been a clear plan or understanding with PHED if you’re to use their cables.”

West described the commissioning as premature, saying “The president commissioned blackout.”

He added that “The way forward is for us to continue to mount pressure on the government. This is not abracadabra project.”

“We must hold the government responsible that this project commissioned must give Bayelsans light. So that it will not be like the Imiringi project.”

“Why Commission What Was Not Properly Tested?”

A tailor, Bina Susan, questioned why the project was commissioned without electricity supply.

“Why will anybody commission a project that has not been tested? No light in Yenagoa. Who dash monkey banana. Na dem know wetin dem go commission.”

Similarly, Johnson Ayebakuro, a farmer residing in Azikoro, confirmed the blackout.

“Since dem do the turbine, we never get light. Na Azikoro I dey stay. No light.”

Solomon Charles Ikpaka, a House of Assembly aspirant under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), also expressed doubts.

“Some people say e no dey work for their side. Nai be the reason dem dey tell Olice Kemenanabo to test run am well, but him nor gree hear word.”

“Many people now dey say na NEPA dem pay to give dem light. You nor believe the government.”

“I Feel Ashamed and Betrayed”

Business owner Ebi Jones described the development as embarrassing, especially for those who defended the government.

“To be honest I don’t know what to say about this light situation because we’ve not heard from our leaders yet. They need to explain to us what happened or is happening.”

She added, “I feel so ashamed and betrayed about this development. I boast a lot about this government so I am presently facing the heat from people I totally assured.”

According to her, many residents had already made financial decisions based on expectations of stable electricity.

“A lot of Bayelsans have either sold out their generators or making plans to, because I saw several posts of people lamenting yesterday.”

“Tinubu Commissioned Darkness”

An ex-militant leader who pleaded anonymity also criticized the situation.

“President Bola Tinubu came and commissioned darkness in Bayelsa State. Up till now, there’s no sign of gas turbine light in the state capital. Governor Douye Diri is a failure.”

“We Haven’t Had Light Since December”

Computer engineer Francis Atii expressed frustration with the prolonged power outage.

“I have given up on Nigeria long ago. We play our part but at the end of everything, they always do what they want. So how I feel doesn’t change anything.”

He added that, “In my area, we haven’t had light since December.”

Earlier Government Position

Before the commissioning, Director-General of Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency, Dr. Rosalyn Dressman, had assured Bayelsans that the gas turbine would end electricity challenges.

She disclosed that the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) would not manage the distribution of the power supply by the turbine.

“It’s not PHED. I can assure you that there will be another forum in the next, let me say, two to three weeks. By that time, everything will be more clear.”

Also speaking, Chairman of the agency, Barrister Austin Adigio, said metering policy would play a key role in the new electricity framework.

“The metering policy is a very important aspect of what our agency will be doing as regulators,” he said.

Celebration Meets Reality

The 60MW gas turbine was expected to reduce dependence on generators, boost businesses, and transform Yenagoa into an economic hub.

But as darkness persisted after the commissioning, anger replaced excitement, and expectations gave way to doubt.

For many Bayelsans, the commissioning ceremony may have ended — but the real test, they say, has only just begun.