PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News across the Niger Delta
Related Articles
The Bayelsa State Government has launched the first historic Bayelsa State Energy Research Consortium, BERCO, a proposed energy research platform under the auspices of the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency, BYERA.
The event held in Yenagoa, brought together electricity stakeholders, including energy scholars, representatives of professional bodies, officials from the Bayelsa State Ministry of Public Utilities, PHEDC, BECL and other international partners.
BERCO, which is an acronym for Bayelsa Electricity Research Consotium is an energy platform for research, innovation, a bridge among institutions, and a vehicle for skills, publications,, and partnerships.
The state governor, Sen Douye Diri, said his drive to providing a steady power supply in Bayelsa State was enhanced by President Bola Tinubu’s signing into law of the 2023 Electricity Act, which gave way for states to venture into electricity generation, distribution , regulation, and related activities in their domains by liberalizing electricity to be on the Concurrent Legislative Lists enabling both the Federal and the State Governments to exercise jurisdiction.
Governor Diri identified research as the bedrock of development, noting that without it can have negative impact over developmental challenges
The State Chief Executive however charged the BERCO research team to carry out their assignments with professionalism for improved electricity distribution value chain in terms of service delivery through diversification, distribution and networking.
The Consul General of the Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Amb Daniel Kruul congratulated the government and people of Bayelsa State on her 30-year anniversary, and for being a beneficiary of the European Union and German Government collaborative support for energy thermal and optimal supply.
Amb Kruul noted that the constitution of BERCO is one area where the German Government support will be felt as experts will contribute to the research innovative efforts.
The Consul General stated that the doors of his consulate are open to the Bayelsa State Government on other areas of collaboration and partnerships.
Barr Austin Adigio, Chairman, Board of BYERA noted that despite Bayelsa being blessed with abundance natural resources such as gas, sunlight, and water outlets, many riverine communities still remained in darkness as the old centralised model could not cater for State’s energy. He said this needs however challenged the need for homegrown initiatives to find practical solutions through BERCO, which Bayelsa State is boldly championing.
BYERA’s DG, Dr Rosalyn Dressman gave a scorecard of BYERA’s journey from August, 2025 till date, attributing the successes recorded to support from thr Bayelsa State Government and the German Consulate in Nigeria.
According to Dressman, in 13 months, BYERA has built the core of the functioning State Electricity Regulation, also stating that BYERA has 60 schedules in the Licensing and Market Entry Regulations Booklets.
BYERA’s DG recalled that the agency started to work on governance structure, partnership transition, eventually leading to issuance of first licences to BYEDC, an affiliiate of the PHED, successfully organised three public events, completed digital support platform, received and delivered 5,000 meters, amongst others.
Dr Dressman said with the launch of BERCO, research on electricity and related matters will go a long way to help develop workforce that will strengthen the electricity market in Bayelsa State
Goodwill messages were presented by the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Engr Kharin Akari Komuko; Engr Olice Kemenanabo, MD, Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd; Engr Muhammed Umar Furore, Director, Research and Data Analysis who represented the Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERCO as well as representatives from the academia.
Present at the meeting were Dr Peter Akpe, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State; Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, Chief of Staff, Government House; Mrs Ebiuwou Koku_ Obiyai, Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy; Dr Ebieri Jones, Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment; Engr Obinna Okeke, Chief Strategy Officer, PHED and Barr Patience Ronami Abah, Chairman, Bayelsa Investment and Promotion Agency
