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Militants Threatens Federal Governments Power Project

Ayo Abimbola, Akure

The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Nuhu Way, at the weekend said the Federal Government commitment to generate 6,000 megawatts at the end of this year was being threatened by the current activities of militants in the Niger- Delta region. The Minister who spoke while on inspection tour of Power Holding Company of Nigeria's (PHCN) said over 70 per cent of generation which is coming through gas fire is being attacked by militants.

According to him, the challenge the nation is facing in the Niger-Delta at the moment is that international oil companies are not able to deliver the gas as at today and this has constituted a great impediment to our plans. The Minister, who said that the sector has general capacity at the moment to deliver at least 4,500 megawatts, said the nation cannot fire those plants unless there is gas availability.

He said, "For example, there is a brand new 4,000 megawatts facility in Ikereku station which is laying waste because of lack of gas to fire it", he said. The Minister, however, expressed the hope that with the amnesty granted by the Federal Government, and the favourable response of the militants, "We are quite positive that we will get gas to fire our plants very soon". He said the Ministry of Power had begun rehabilitation projects in PHCN installations across the country to make the promise of 6,000 megawatts before the end of the year is realizable.

Mr. Way added that the ministry was visiting all installations all over the federation to ensure that what the government promised Nigerians is achieved. His words, "We are making every effort to ensure that the electricity network is ready to deliver our promises to Nigerians and with what I have seen on ground, I can assure you that we are making a steady progress".

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