acquisition and installation of three units of 15 MVA (Megavolt Ampere) injection sub-stations in Lagos.
Speaking during the commissioning of the three new 15 MVA sub-stations and switch gears panel in Yaba, Orile-Coker and Kirikiri sub-stations in Lagos, Mr. James Olotu, Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, promoters of the National Independent Power projects, NIPP, said the project is part of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda, which places emphasis on improved power generation and supply among others.
Olotu said there are currently about 491 power projects across the country, while about 40 of the projects have been completed.
He however added that all the others yet to be completed have reached advanced stages of completion and would be completed before the end of the year.
He disclosed that the Federal Government set a target of June this year for the completion of all distribution projects, while all transmission projects and about 99 per cent of all generation projects are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
He said the federal government is set to begin an inspection of all the projects site across the country by March this year and warned that it might sanction contractors found to be delaying in the delivery of their project.
He said, “In March this year, the Vice President has announced he is sending outa crack team of project monitoring group to visit all the projects sites, so that actions can be taken on the spot if we find that the contractors are not meeting up with target given to them.
“While doing this, we are aware that it is also important that the delivery should be known to be actually effective and qualitative, not delivery that is fast and then as we move back and go away after commissioning, they say something has broken down. That is fraud. We want the contractors to deliver quality work.
“But the time for delay is over. No more delay again on this project. Every contractor has no excuse on why they should not deliver on their project.”
On the issue of supply of gas to the power stations, Olotu said all stakeholders in the power sector are working together to ensure that the challenges facing steady power supply, especially availability of gas, is dealt with.
Also speaking, Mr. Oladele Amoda, Chief Operating Officer, Eko Electricity Distribution Company said with the addition of the new 15 MVA 33KVA/11 KVA sub-stations each at New Yaba, Orile-Coker and Kirkiri sub-stations, the total capacity at Yaba has improved to 45 MVA, Orile-Coker has improved to 30 MVA 11 KVA while Kirikiri hasrisen to 30 MVA 33KVA.
He said the installation of the sub-stations and switchgears will help minimize load shedding and tackle the issue of epileptic power supply.
He said the new equipments are strategic, especially as they cater for the need of strategic areas of the state, areas.
He disclosed that the benefiting communities have started feeling the impact of the projects in terms of improved power supply.
