The World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) has opened communication with the Bayelsa State Government on the possible advancement of Yenagoa’s membership application into the Partnership.
The renewed engagement is being coordinated through the Technical Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Hon. Kelvin F. Otele, with the objective of providing the necessary information and institutional support required to progress Yenagoa’s application.
Yenagoa initially expressed interest in joining the World Energy Cities Partnership in 2017, but the application was subsequently suspended.
However, recent communication with the WECP Secretariat has created a fresh opportunity to address the outstanding issues and position Yenagoa for consideration during the 2027 membership review process.
According to the WECP Secretariat, its Membership Committee is expected to reconvene in early 2027 to consider prospective members and future membership growth priorities.
The Secretariat has therefore encouraged Yenagoa to use the intervening period to commence the preliminary membership process.
The process will include demonstrating Yenagoa’s alignment with WECP membership criteria, energy-sector and energy-transition activities, political and institutional commitment, capacity to meet membership dues and participation requirements, as well as areas where Yenagoa can contribute to and benefit from the Partnership.
The Secretariat has also requested clarification on whether the prospective applicant will be the Municipality of Yenagoa or an appropriate Bayelsa State Government entity, an issue that will be important in advancing the application.
Another significant requirement is that prospective members must be nominated by an existing WECP Member City. Yenagoa will therefore need to strengthen relationships with existing members of the Partnership ahead of the 2027 consideration.
The World Energy Cities Partnership provides a unique platform for energy-producing cities and regions to share knowledge, attract partnerships, promote energy transition, exchange best practices and strengthen international cooperation in the energy sector.
Yenagoa’s participation could therefore provide new opportunities for Bayelsa State and Nigeria to deepen international engagement around energy, gas, energy transition and sustainable urban development.
Confirming the development, the Technical Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Hon. Kelvin F. Otele, said “I therefore call on the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other relevant Federal Government institutions to rally the necessary support for Yenagoa’s membership application and work with the Bayelsa State Government to ensure that the renewed engagement with WECP is successfully concluded.”
“With Yenagoa positioned at the heart of Nigeria’s energy-producing Niger Delta, its membership of the World Energy Cities Partnership presents an important opportunity not only for Bayelsa State but for Nigeria to strengthen its presence within the global community of energy cities.”
“Yenagoa can contribute to the Partnership, and the Partnership can equally open new doors of international cooperation, investment, knowledge exchange and energy-sector opportunities for Yenagoa and Nigeria.”
