NDPHC Expects 4,000MW Hydro Power Contribution from NIPP Phase 2
Says officials are not lobbying Buhari for reappointments
Chineme Okafor The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) yesterday said the second phase of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs), which will concentrate on building hydro power generation plants, will add 4000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Nigeria generation profile.
It stated that in addition to its board’s approval of the construction of the 1,030MW Mambilla hydro power project and 16 other identified medium and small hydro power projects, the second phase of the NIPPs will also include the construction of critical transmission projects that will enable the country wheel over 20,000MW of electricity generated from existing and new power stations to distribution networks across the country.
NDPHC noted in a statement from its General Manager, Communications, Yakubu Lawal, in Abuja that these projects are currently being assembled.
The statement also reacted to a media report that some of its top ranking officials were lobbying the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari for reappointment, saying that such report was false.
Lawal explained in the statement that NDPHC remains a registered limited liability company owned by the three tiers of the Nigerian government; federal, state and local governments, with a board as its highest policy and decision making organ that drive its operations.
“As one of the main resolutions of the National Economic Council (NEC), which comprises all the stakeholders at its meeting held in April 2013, the council approved the second phase of the NIPP projects to include execution of Mambilla hydro power project and 16 identified medium and small hydro power projects.
“This will create a mix power generation/supply system for the country by balancing the phase one NIPP projects where ten new thermal power stations located in the southern parts of the country were constructed. The second phase will contribute about 4,000MW into the national grid on completion,” Lawal said in the statement.
He further added: “Also, as approved, the phase two critical transmission projects shall wheel power from the existing and new power stations having capacity of over 20,000 megawatts to the distribution chain across the country on completion. These projects are currently being assembled.”
He said on status report of its operations presented to the board at its last meeting that there are four fully-completed power stations that have been commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan: Geregu II with 434MW capacity in Kogi State, Omotosho II, 500MW capacity in Ondo State, 750MW capacity Olorunsogo II power plant in Ogun State and Phase One 504MW Alaoji thermal power station in Abia State.
Lawal said Benin and Ogorode both with 450MW capacity each in Edo and Delta States respectively are waiting for official inauguration.
On the alleged lobbying by its officials, Lawal said: “It is instructive for the records to be straightened so that discerning members of the public will not be swayed by the apparent falsehood and inaccuracy of such news report intended to cast aspersions on the integrity, credibility and competence of the chairman and members of the board of the NDPHC over the exercise of its statutory functions.
“It is no gainsaying the fact that the board of directors of the NDPHC owners of the NIPP has positioned the company to effectively pursue its phase two project mandate aimed at implementing more hydropower stations and transmission projects in the country to give the power sector infrastructure a more robust synergy,” he added.