FG Assures Of More Development In The Power Sector

15 December 2014

The Federal Government has once again assured Nigerians of steady improvement in the supply of electricity in the country. The assurance came from the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, when he presented the several achievements of the ministry during the November 2014, Ministerial Platform in Abuja.

While presenting the long list of achievements, the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo assured that all the 10 power plants constructed within the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), under the auspices of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria (NDPHCN), will all be supplied with gas by the end of 2015.

He stated that the present adminstration of President Goodluck Jonathan has concluded arrangement for the provision of adequate gas supply to fire all the thermal power plants  in order to increase electricity generation in the country.
Professor Nebo who used the occasion to enumerate the achievements of the ministry on the power sector, also explained that most of the power plants built under the NIPP are almost completed, as gas supply plan has delayed their take-off. 

On the achievement recorded by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) within the electricity value chain, the Minister noted that a lot has been accomplished as TCN has been able to complete several projects including the commissioning of two 150MVA/330/132/33kV Transmission Substations in Kano and Calabar, the successful conduct of Grid Market Gap Analysis and the deployment of Grid Meters at all tracking points, and the steps taken to commenced the Transitional Electricity Mraket (TEM) by Market Operations of TCN. 

The Minister also disclosed that government is currently developing bankable project documents for the purpose of facilitating investment in coal to power, stressing that coal blocks under consideration include Amansiodo, Okpara, Abocho, Gombe, Onyeama Inyi and Makurdi.
He stated that negotiations are on-going with Independent Power Producers (IPP), such as Zuma Energy for 1,200mw coal in Kogi, 400mw gas fired power plant in Egbema, Imo State, Century Power for a 495mw gas fired plant in Okija, Anambra State and Exxon Mobil/MPN for a 100mw wind power plant at Maraban Pushit, Plateau State.

He stated further that already, government had identified companies that are willing to generate power and export it to the grid, such as Lafarge and Dangote Cement companies, stressing that about 341.5 Megawatts (MW) of stranded power from the companies will be wheeled unto the national grid.

The Minister further disclosed that the Federal Government had spent about N500billion to settle debts and payoff to workers in the power sector to ensure that the privatisation of the sector took place last year and explained that the action was to create a conducive environment for the private sector to invest in the power sector.

Professor Nebo said that government was determined to ensure that power gets to at least 75 per cent of Nigerians by 2020, and used the occasion to  sound a note of warning to all DISCOS that Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), will not hesitate to withdraw their licenses if they continue to reject load allocation sent to them for supply of electricity to Nigerians by Transmssion Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Speaking ealier, the Minister of State, Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, stated that Ministry of Power, under this present adminstration will continue to give policy direction that will impact positively on the country.

The ministerial platform which was organized by the Federal Ministry of Information aimed at informing Nigerians the progress, development and activities in government circle was attended by Chief Executives Officers of various agencies and parastatals in the Federal Ministry of Power and other stakeholders in the power industry

 

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