ABUJA – The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has appealed for presidential intervention to facilitate funding for ongoing power projects and settle outstanding payments, in a bid to enhance electricity access nationwide.
Mrs Olufunke Nwankwo, General Manager of Communication and Public Relations at NDPHC, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
She quoted NDPHC’s Managing Director, Jennifer Adighije, as making the appeal during a site inspection of the Egbema National Integrated Power Plant (NIPP), located near Owerri, Imo State.
The inspection was conducted in the presence of the House Committee on Power, led by its Chairman, Rep. Victor Nwokolo.
Adighije highlighted the broader challenges facing the power sector, particularly the liquidity crisis with over N4 trillion owed to Generation Companies (GenCos).
She called for presidential intervention to secure funding for ongoing projects, address outstanding payments, and improve nationwide electricity access.
“The Egbema Power Plant, a key project under the NIPP, has three generating units with a total installed capacity of 375 MegaWatts (MW).
“The project was awarded to the China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC) in 2023, with a targeted completion date of 2025.
“In spite of challenges, NDPHC is closely monitoring the project’s progress to ensure timely completion.”
During the inspection, Nwokolo commended NDPHC’s proactive approach in reviving the Egbema Power Plant.
He noted that delays had occurred due to litigation issues but that the new management and contractor had significantly accelerated progress.
He said currently, about 60 per cent of the work had been completed, and the project was on track for inauguration.
Nwokolo also lauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the Electricity Act into law, which had improved the financial viability of the power sector, and noted that the new tariff structures were making the sector more attractive to investors.
The committee expressed confidence in NDPHC’s leadership and assured continued legislative support to address sector challenges, particularly in securing adequate funding for project completion.(NAN)
