APGA gov’ship aspirant Mienye, flays delayed Bayelsa IPP take-off

By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

A governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Domor Mienye, has called for a more structured and results-driven approach to infrastructure delivery following delays in the take-off of the recently commissioned 60 megawatt gas turbine project in the state.

The gas-fired turbine, which was inaugurated earlier this month, is yet to begin supplying electricity to Yenagoa and its environs, with the state government attributing the delay to ongoing installation of critical safety and protective systems.

Reacting to the development, Mienye said while it is important to prioritise safety and long-term sustainability, infrastructure projects especially in the power sector must be delivered in a way that ensures immediate functionality after commissioning.

Mienye, a data scientist and artificial intelligence expert, stressed the need for a systems-based approach to infrastructure development, particularly in the power sector, noting that power generation alone is insufficient without proper integration with distribution systems, operational testing, and maintenance planning.

According to the guber aspirant, the situation highlights a broader challenge in public sector project execution, where emphasis is often placed on commissioning rather than operational readiness.

His words :“Electricity is not a symbolic project. It is fundamental to economic activity, livelihoods, and the overall productivity of a state. When a power project is commissioned, people expect results not extended delays.”

“Infrastructure delivery must move beyond visibility to functionality. Commissioning should not be the milestone—we should be measuring success by whether the project is actually working and delivering value to the people.

“What we need is an end-to-end execution model. From design to deployment, every stage must be aligned to ensure that once a project is delivered, it works seamlessly. Anything short of that creates delays, inefficiencies, and loss of public confidence.

“The people deserve clarity. They need to know what is being done, how long it will take, and when they can realistically expect results. That level of transparency builds trust and accountability

“Bayelsa cannot industrialise without power. We must ensure that projects like this are not just completed, but fully operational and sustainable. That is how we move from promise to real development.

“This is not about criticism for its own sake. It is about improving how we deliver projects so that they meet the expectations of our people and support long-term growth,” Mienye stated.

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