By Deborah Coker
The lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, Sen. Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta), has stressed the need to investigate the unexplained delay in electricity step-down of Okpai Power Plant.
Nwoko told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, that investigating the delay had become imperative as the plant played a crucial role in the national power distribution system in 2005, when it was inaugurated.
According to him, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, inaugurated the Okpai Independent Power Plant in April 2005 and ordered for its immediate implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
“This included the provision of 50 megawatts of electricity to benefit the host communities within a 50 kilometer radius from the plant.
“At the time of the plant’s inauguration in 2005, it generated only 480 megawatts of electricity.
“Nevertheless, it played a crucial role in the national power distribution system in Nigeria by supplying electricity to nine states in the country, including Anambra, Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, among others.
“The Okpai Independent Power Plant has been upgraded to provide a functional 930 megawatts of electricity with an instruction and understanding to increase the power supply to host communities from 50 megawatts to 100 megawatts.
“This extension will include host community beneficiaries from the entire Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State,” Nwoko said.
The lawmaker also said that in view of the importance of the Okpai Power plant, there was the need for the Senate Committee on Power to investigate and take action to resolve the delay in the distribution of 100 megawatts of electricity to host communities as agreed.
Nwoko disclosed that his motion on the subject matter, titled “Need To Address the Unexplained Delay in Electricity Step-down of Okpai Independent Power Plant” was already on the floor of the Senate.
He also urged the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to take action to improve the distribution of electricity from the Okpai Independent Power Plant, and ensure that the people of Delta North Senatorial District reap the benefits.
“I also suggest that necessary steps should be taken to ensure the completion of the contract awarded by TCN for the construction of a 132KV Double Circuit Transmission Line, aimed at resolving electricity supply challenges in Ndokwa nation and the Delta North Senatorial District.
“Various issues that are hindering the benefits of the host communities and the entire Delta North Senatorial District from receiving the full advantages of electricity supply from the Okpai Independent Power Plant should also be addressed,” Nwoko said. (NAN)