Rivers To Shut Down New Power Plant …Over Wastages

Rivers State Attorney-General ansCommissioner for Justice, Mr Kenneth Chikere (left), listening to Rivers Solicitor-General, Barr Mina Benibo, during a courtesy visit to the Rivers Ministry of Justice by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, last Friday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

Rivers State Government says it may consider shutting down its new 100 megawatts Independent Power Project (IPP) commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan during his official visit to the state, as a result of wastages caused by the inability of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to evacuate power from the plant.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who made the disclosure in an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos on Saturday, said since the commissioning of the 100 megawatts of gas turbine at Trans-Amadi, PHCN had been evacuating only 18 megawatts, and therefore it amounted to wastage to keep running the four 25 megawatts engines without evacuating power.

The Governor stated that despite generating power at Omoku and Trans Amadi power stations, the state cannot distribute them to consumers, as the power to distribute electricity resides with the Federal Government.

He, however explained that the State Government had applied to the Federal Government to concession the Port Harcourt distribution area to Rivers Government to enable it distribute the Power generated within the state to her citizens, noting that until that request is granted the people may continue to suffer.

The State Chief Executive also hinted that the state is currently constructing another Independent Power Plant with a capacity to generate 180 megawatts of electricity at Afam, in Oyigbo Local Government Area, to add to the existing capacity, which will make the state self sufficient in power generation, and solicited the understanding of the Federal Government to grant the state the right to distribute the power it generates.

Responding to questions, Governor Amaechi said the State has so far rehabilitated over 800km of roads, including Federal roads within the state at the cost of N45bn which it has asked for refund, stressing that the state Government has awarded contract for the construction of a failed section of the Port Harcourt/Aba road “since it is the state government that receive abuses when the roads go bad”.

The Governor, who described crime as being a product of government’s inability to provide legitimate means of income for the people, emphasized that his greatest challenge as Governor was in the area of security, noting that his administration has done a lot to achieve peace in the state.

On job creation, the governor said his government has done much to create opportunities through creating an alternative economy in knowledge and agricultural sector which would empower youths with technical know-how to face the future challenges of life.

“When institutions are built, the Governor said, it would help to check corruption”, adding that Rivers State was the first state to pass a Law on Public Procurement, otherwise called due process, while the law on fiscal responsibility is before the state House of Assembly for passage.