Chief Executive Officer of Ughelli Power Station, Mr Adeniyi Ademola has emphasised the need for the rehabilitation of the station which was built in 1966.

Ademola told newsmen in an interview on Sunday in Ughelli, Delta, that the station had broken down due to a lack of maintenance over the years.

He disclosed that the plant’s obsolete equipment could not be replaced due to a lack of funds.

According to him, N525 million was allocated to the plant in 2010 and 2011, but this is inadequate to keep the plant running.

He said that about N2 billion would be required to take care of the plant’s capital project.

In view of these challenges, the power generating capacity at present is 325 mega watts as against the installed capacity of 900 mega watts.

He said the power plant could produce additional 100 mega watts before December if the government could inject enough fund for its rehabilitation.

In his response, the Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji said that the Federal Government would provide some money for the rehabilitation of  the power plants before the end of the year.

Nnaji said that the government’s power reform was not to sack workers but to ensure provision of adequate power supply for Nigerians.

He commended the chief executive officer and the staff of the station for working hard to turn around the station.