FG moves to light up Nigeria, add 934mw to national grid

The commissioning of the 500megawatts Phase II Omotosho power plant by President Goodluck Jonathan shows a clear demonstration of the commitment of the government to solve the power problems through the provision of reliable electricity supply to the country.

With this inauguration, two of the 10 power plants under the Niger Delta Power Company, NPDHC, have joined the league of the existing power plants contributing to the national grid.

The first to be inaugurated was the 434 megawatts Geregu power plant in Kogi State.

It also underscores the importance the government attaches to boosting the nation’s economy, through employment opportunities can be created if there is stable and reliable power supply.

The next destination for power plant inauguration would be the 750 megawatts Olorunsogo power plants. By the time this is done the NIPPs would have contributed about 1,684 megawatts to the national grid.

Speaking while inaugurating the 500MW Omotosho II Power Station built by the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, in Ondo State on Saturday, the President Jonathan said that with the ongoing privatisation in the power sector, the issue of stable power supply will soon be a foregone conclusion in the country.

Noting that the Nigerian Bulk Trader has been funded with about $750million to enable it to effectively execute its mandate, he stated that arrangements were also on to effectively fund the Nigerian Electricity Liability Company, to enable it effectively assume liabilities associated with the privatisation of the PHCN successor companies as well as other liabilities and other related issues.

“We promise that before the middle of next year, power will be reasonably stable; I am not saying total, power will be reasonably stabilised in the country.”

He said the commissioning of the Omotosho plant was part of government’s efforts to provide adequate, reliable and sustainable electricity supply to “our country men and women,” noting that by the middle of next year, any challenge experienced in the power sector would be short term and no longer endemic.

The President added that the target of government was to add 4700mw to the existing power generating capacity with the commissioning of all the 10 power plants being built by the NIPP.

But James Olotu, the managing director of NDPH, in his remark said that the country is witnessing another wonderful fruit of the hard work, determination as well as uncommon will and wisdom of Mr President to see through the difficulties affecting the NIPP; lead and join forces with the states and local governments of Nigeria, revive and re-invigorate NIPP when it ran into stormy waters with its funding arrangement from the Excess Crude Oil Account between 2007 and 2009, a situation that nearly resulted in its demise.

He said the President physically and personally led his team to the major project sites and ports thus facilitating resolution of transport issues, road inadequacy matters, port clearing decongestion, fast project certification and settlement culture; regular project management meetings to clear and resolve other relevant issues.

“This is gladly one of the reasons we are here today, to celebrate your making of history in the power sector of Nigeria, the adding of another 500MW power to the good people of Nigeria in support of your Transformation Agenda for this great nation.”

He said nations with more power infrastructure have always been the better and wealthier ones Ceteris-Per-Ribus. “Indeed, history will record that never have we had it so good, to successfully commission the addition of two brand new power plants adding about 934MW within 16 days of each other while basking in the successful privatisation of the erstwhile Power Holding Company of Nigeria with the expectation of more to come in the next few months from today.

The contract for the construction of this second phase development of the power plant at Omotosho (Omotosho II) was initially executed with the contractors, Messrs China Machinary & Engineering Corporation (CMEC) in April 2007 as a combined cycle power plant with 4 GE Frame 9 gas turbines and additional 2 steam turbines powered by the gas turbine exhaust heat recovery boilers.

However, work could not commence on the project because NIPP funding was suspended immediately the contract was awarded. The project was re-scoped to only 4 gas turbines operating in simple cycle mode following wise counsel.

By: OLUSOLA BELLO