10 May 2015, Makurdi – The Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, has disclosed that Nigeria’s power generation level would increase to a capacity of 20,000 megawatts even though the country currently generates about 5,500 megawatts.
He spoke at the inauguration of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company/NIPP 330/132/33 KV Transmission Substation at Apir in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
He said: “The Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, has effectively pursued its mandate of implementing robust power projects across the country under the National Integrated Power Power Project (NIPP).
“Under the first phased of its project mandate, the company has completed several thermal generating plants in the country.
“Today we are proud that the NDPHC has 265 out of a total of 296 distribution injection substations located nationwide and several other power projects across the country.
“The NDPHC has completed several 330 and 132 transmission with the 3,000 km transmission lines nationwide.
“At present, the nation’s power generation level stands at around 5,500 megawatts, of which NIPP contributes about 2,600 megawatts, a record that stands out in the annals of the power sector generation history in Nigeria.
“Currently, the company plans to construct new large and medium Hydro power dams and provision of power components for 13 existing dams mostly in northern Nigeria that will step up transmission to a capacity of 20,000Megawatts.”
Earlier, Governor Gabriel Suswam said with the inauguration of the new project, the business investment community in the state would witness improved and more regular power supply in the entire state.
He lamented that the people of the state had for long suffered epileptic power supply, noting that “before now the state was supplied from a singled circle 132 KVA emanating from the old New Haven Substation in Enugu.
“Supply of electricity from Enugu to Makurdi has been a major source of worry because the current level has been too low to power home appliances, not to talk of industrial plants.”
In his speech, the Managing Director of the NDPHC, Mr. James Olotu, said the project was mainly funded by the three tiers of government from the excess crude account.
*George Okoh – Thisday