Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, says the 33/11KV electricity injection substation built by the Commission in Amufi-Ikpoba Okha, Benin City, Edo State, has been completed and would be commissioned soon for onward hand over to the Benin Electric Distribution Company, BEDC.
NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, who inspected the 1×15MVA 33/11kv project, affirmed the resolve of the Commission to complete and commission legacy projects across the Niger Delta region.
Antai expressed delight at the completion of the project, which, he said, would meet the power needs of people living in many communities in the area, assuring that the current NDDC executive management, was working tirelessly to improve the living conditions of Niger Delta people.
He said: “Our goal is to move the NDDC from a transactional Commission to one that is committed to the sustainable development and transformation of the Niger Delta region.
“The NDDC Chief Executive Officer has directed that the project monitoring and supervision team, led by me, should devote two days of every week to field work to ensure that we keep track of the progress of our projects, as well as ensure that contractors do not compromise on our set standards.
“Following this directive, we are visiting project sites such as this one to finalise the processes for commissioning and proper hand over to the BEDC.
“I have inspected the equipment and facilities at this injection substation and I am satisfied with the quality of work done by the contractor. I want to assure the community leaders and the people that the project will be commissioned and handed over to the BEDC before the end of this month.”
Also speaking during the inspection, a representative of BEDC, Engr. Kingsley Atseyinku, observed that the injection substation would assist the electricity company in its operations in Edo State.
“We wrote to the NDDC requesting for a proper hand over of the project to BEDC, so that the facility will be put to good use for the benefit of the people. We have tested the equipment and we can confirm that they are good,” he said.
Giving a brief on the project, the Head of Project Monitoring and Supervision in the NDDC, Edo State office, Mrs. Jane Fregene, said the 33/11kv Injection Substation Equipment and Control Room had been tested by the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency and certified to be good.
