Rivers Reiterates Plan To Electrify State

Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Augustine Nwokocha has re-iterated government’s resolve to electrify all the nooks and crannies of the state before the end of the present administration.

The commissioner, who gave this indication at a recent press briefing in his office, explained that the improved power situation in the state is due to the re-conducting of the Afam to Port Harcourt double circuit transmission lines.

Hon. Nwokocha disclosed that government was partnering with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Port Harcourt Distribution Company (PHEDC), to ensure power generated is distributed evenly.

He noted that government had embarked on a major update scheme of building injection sub stations across the state, adding that government is about to mobilise contractors for the rural electrification project to go to site.

The commissioner said work on the rural electrification scheme would be carried out by linking those communities already electrified to the others not yet provided with light, pointing that transformers are being installed across the state according to the needs of the people.

Hon. Nwokocha advised the people to safeguard government’s electrical equipment such as cables, poles, street light fittings, and transformers stressing that the authorities should be alerted once they see people vandalising such property.

In another development Rivers State Government has issued drafts of award letter to contractors whose bids were successful for the construction of the 33/11KV injection sub-station and rows for transmission lines in the state.

The commissioner for power, Hon. Augustine Nwokocha gave the hint in his office at a meeting with contractors, marketers, a representative of the Economic Advisory Council on electricity and Engr. Ema Gbole Nwikina who presented Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

Hon. Nwokocha said, the meeting was to streamline modalities for the handling of the projects warning that government would not tolerate the use of sub-standard equipment as it is poised to conduct crush test for poles, size of conductors as well as ensuring standards were verified.

He stressed that project abandonment would not be condoned, but would allow sub contracting after all the conditions of the bureau of public procurements have been met.

The commissioner advised the contractors to seek legal opinion on the drafts and make their contributions, get their bankers to give them Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) and thereafter sign the agreement with an acceptance letter.

Hon. Nwokocha charged the contractors to ensure the projects were delivered within three months after mobilisation had been paid, adding that no further payments would be made when the job has not been certified.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mr. Mathew Edevbie of Income Electric Ltd assured the government of their determination to execute the projects in record time and according to set standards.

Others expected to handle the projects are Schneider Electric of France, Danalec Nigeria Ltd, Labec Engineering Ltd, Continental Engineering Ltd, Sam Ltd, Sigma Technical Ltd and Gips Engineering Ltd.