NDPHC wants security for projects in Abia, others

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has said it is seeking the intervention of the Federal Government and security forces in dealing with vandals attacking its power transmission projects in the Southeast.

A document obtained by Daily Trust weekend, disclosed that NDPHC Managing Director, Mr James Olotu recently wrote to the Inspector General of Police seeking for interventions in one of such case which was initiated at the State Criminal Investigative Department (CID) in Umuahia, Abia state capital.

Olotu listed the criminal acts in Abia state alone to include vandalism of national assets of 330KVA Alaoji -Calabar line in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area on May 28 and stealing of 10 drums of transmission conductors weighing over 40tonnes on May 31 at Umuahia.

NDPHC Executive Director, Legal and Company Secretary, Mr Abdullahi Salisu who confirmed the cases said the 132/330KV transmission tower worth N40million was hacked in Ikwuano town even after the community was duly compensated after obtaining a Right of Way (RoW) for the over 200km line to Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom.

Salisu said the acts are responsible for the delay in completing the NorthSouth transmission loop connecting the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) including 563mw Calabar plant, 330mw Egbema plant in Imo, 504mw Alaoji plant in Abia state, at an ongoing transmission interchange yard in Ikot Ekpene town of Akwa Ibom state.

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power, Dr. Godknows Igali recently said the loop is expected to be completed this year and would boost the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) evacuating capacity of the 6,000mw target by year end.