Lawmakers Hail Amaechi Over Power Supply

As part of its oversight function, the Rivers State House of Assembly on Gas, recently undertook an inspection tour of the Trans-Amadi Gas turbine Plant to ascertain the functionality of the power plant.

Conducting members of the committee round the various units of the power station, the station Manager, Mr. Stephen Akujuru, said the second phase of 100 mega watts has the capacity to generate 40 megawatts but can only deliver 25mw.

Mr. Akujuru explained that the 25mw is what the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), feeder facilities can take, noting that the state Government has taken steps to construct more substations to accommodate the generating capacity.

He explained that PHCN Officials have promised to step up their intake of power from the state generation but that had not been realised.

The station manager disclosed that the major challenges confronting the station include lack of spare parts and inability to deliver all the generated power to PHCN facilities.

On the 36 megawatts in phase one of the Trans Amadi power plant, Mr Akuyuru said the agreement with Rockson Engineering that constructed the plant included maintenance, emphasising that some unresolved issues with the state Government has put the station out of order. 

The Tide learnt that the 100mw gas plant staff undergo training and re-training organised by the manufacturer, GE Electrical as the various aspects of the daily generation were handled by indigenous staff.

The leader of the team, and chairman House Committee on Gas, Hon Gift Wokocha, lauded the workers for their commitment to duty and the commissioner for being efficient.

Hon. Wokocha said the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuieke Rotimi Amaechi, has demonstrated interest in providing uninterrupted power supply, which remains key to economic development, adding that the committee was satisfied with what they have seen.

Other units inspected were the control room, Gas scrubbers, filtering devices, which has primary and secondary segments, before methane gas, which the generator uses, circuit breakers, etc.

Other members of the committee that accompanied the chairman were Hon Michael Okey-Chinda, Hon Legborsi Nwidadah and Hon. Victoria Nyeche.