October 21, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa state will soon establish its own independent power plant to complement the National Grid, to ensure there is constant electricity in the state.
Governor Douye Diri stated this while speaking at the maiden edition of Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, Stem Quiz competition/Award ceremony during the weekend in Yenagoa.
He said contrary to critics, he was not bothered by the darkness the state has been plunged into since the vandalisation of electricity towers between Bayelsa and Rivers state, he is not relenting in ensuring that electricity is restored to the state, revealing that Engr Olice Kemenanabo and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are working hard to rectify the vandalised facilities and expressed the hope that will not deter the state from establishing its own independent Power Plant, as approval has been made towards that.
He also used the forum to advise Bayelsans to come to his office to discuss their personal problems rather than coming to malign others, as he was bitter when a respected citizen came to his office to malign Engr Olice Kemenanabo.
The Governor also urged Bayelsans and corporate bodies to ensure that henceforth once the Nigerian anthem was sung, that of the state must follow.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Bayelsa State Electricity Board, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, has appreciated God Almighty for using notable Ijaw sons and daughters to ensure his survival during the October 19, 2005 industrial accident, at the Kolo Creek Power Station that almost incapacitated him.
Speaking to journalists during the maiden edition of the Engr. Olice Kemenanabo Stem Quiz Competition/Award Ceremony in Yenagoa, the MD acknowledged the role played by Governor Douye Diri, his wife, Dr Gloria Diri, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, Gen. John Ogidi, Amb. Boladei Igali and others, noting that their invaluable support and prayers gave him the strength needed during his trying time.
According to him, it was a life-threatening accident but God used these great people to ensure he is alive today so all glory should be given to Him.
Olice explained that during his recuperation in the hospital in South Africa, doctors told him that he may be incapacitated for life and may also suffer other complications after five years but due to the mercies of God, he is today celebrating 19 years of not experiencing any of the symptoms envisaged.
“I visited Singapore in 2009 and when the organisers of the World Engineering Forum saw me, they prevailed on me to make a presentation after which l was given a standing ovation because nobody believed that I would have survived such a fatal accident by way of medical evaluation.
“My daughter is my motivator, she was a very good mathematician. She read engineering like me and she had competed severally in the Cowbell International Competition and won at the state level and also came 3rd at the International competition, so she is my motivator.
“My son wrote to me this morning, saying what would have been a tragedy has turned into a powerful testimony, resilient, strength, grace and favour what a powerful world.
“This motivated me to roll out the Engr. Olice Kemenanabo Stem Quiz Competition which will be an annual event. Be rest assured that I have very powerful brothers and friends who would sustain this project. It would be six per school and will cut across the three senatorial districts, totalling eighteen schools that will participate”, he stated.
He disclosed that Government Model Secondary School, Sagbama, took first prize of N200,000, Nembe Girls Secondary School took 2nd position and a prize of N150,000 while Saint Jude’s Girls Secondary School came 3rd with a prize of N100,000 and others that did not make it to the final getting N50,000 each.
Also Speaking, the Chairman of the Association Of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Bayelsa State Chapter, Engr. Diepriye Owana-Omubo described Engr. Olice Kemenanabo was a mentor and patron who had mentored so many female engineers within and outside the state and great support to the engineering family.
Noting the theme: ‘BREAKING BARRIERS: THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF WOMEN IN TRADITIONALLY MALE DOMINATED FIELDS’, the APWEN Chairman stressed the fact that they were celebrating with their mentor for his survival for the past 19 years and in honour of the Quiz Competition for female students cutting across schools in the state.
She urged the upcoming female engineers in the state to collaborate with APWEN, which she said is the women’s wing of the engineering family, to encourage and enhance the girl-child.
In her response, the winner of the competition from Government Model Secondary School, Sagbama, Ere-ebi Rejoice, said she was very excited when she won the 1st prize in the Quiz Competition, stating that she prepared hard for it.
Her advice for other students was for them to study hard because without studying hard one cannot emerge as a winner of the competition.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
