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FG to begin inspection of power projects

By on March 5, 2013

… Only 40 of 491 projects completed
The Federal Government is to begin an inspection of all power projects site across the country from this March, warning that it might sanction contractors found to be delaying in the delivery of projects.

This follows the poor execution and delivery rates of power projects by contractors, as only about 40 out of 491 contracts so far awarded had been completed.

To this end, Vice President Namadi Sambo, said he will send out a crack team of project monitoring group by from this month, to ascertain the level of work at the sites and to take far-reaching decisions if necessary,

Mr. James Olotu, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, promoters of the National Independent Power projects, NIPP, disclosed this during the commissioning of three new 15 MVA sub-stations and switchgears panel in Yaba, Orile-Coker and Kirikiri sub-stations in Lagos.

He said there are currently about 491 power projects across the country, while about 40 of the projects had been completed.

He however added that some of 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.

Accordingly, he said the project monitoring team will 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.

He, however, noted that the government is not compromising quality for speed, saying that while emphasis is placed on speedy completion, it is also ensuring that the projects are done to international standards.

He said, “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 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 has risen 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 were strategic, especially as they cater for the need of strategic areas of the state, areas, adding that the benefiting communities have started feeling the impact of the projects in terms of improved power supply.

 

(Vanguard)