News
FG Begins Sale Of 10 Power Plants …Blocks Power Thieves, Vandals
The Federal Government is to privatise the 10 independent power plants built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).
Managing Director, NDPHC, Mr James Olotu, made this known at an interactive session with journalists in Lagos.
Our correspondent reports that the power plants are Omotoso in Ondo State (450MW), Sapele in Delta (450MW), Geregu in Kogi (434MW), Olorunsogo in Ogun (750MW) and Ihovbor in Edo (450MW).
Others are Gbarain in Bayelsa (225MW), Alaoji in Abia (450MW), Calabar in Cross River (561MW), Egbema in Imo (338MW) and Omoku in Rivers (225MW).
Olotu explained that a road show to indicate the commencement of the exercise would start in Lagos from Tuesday, June 4 to June 5 with 40 investors.
He said that the road show would be extended to United Kingdom, United States and Hong Kong.
The NDPHC boss confirmed that six of the plants had been completed technically, while the remaining would be completed before 2014.
He explained that the Federal Government would divest 80 per cent of its shares in the power plants, while auctioning would involve the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Public Enterprises.
Olotu, who did not disclose the expected revenue from the auction, said that proceeds realised would be used to build additional power plants and boost transmission lines in the country.
“With the planned privatisation, there would be efficiency and effectiveness in the management of the power plants.
“Government can play its role where it has relative advantage. Government will invest little but more on transmission sector so as to build the country’s power infrastructure,” he said.
Olotu stated that the Board of Directors of the company which has Vice President Namadi Sambo as its Chairman, had got the approval of the Federal Government to privatise the plants.
He said the sale became imperative due to the fact that the company has achieved the mandate given to it in 2005.
“The mandate was to build 10 independent power plants across the country with capacity to generate 5000 MW by end of 2013 and divest it.
“We are confident to tell you that this year will be a year of harvest in the power sector. All the power generating plants will be completed this year.
“In fact, six plants are ready for commissioning while four others are about to be completed within the next few months.
“We are divesting 80 per cent stake in each power plant as valued by our financial advisers..
“We will retain 20 per cent in order to assure potential investors of our confidence in the plants we are selling,” he stated.
Also speaking, Mr Arif Mohiuddin, CPCS Transaction Adviser to the NDPHC, said submission of bid for the plants was scheduled for July 19 while August 8 was fixed for short-listing of bidders.
“There will be bidders’ conference on September18 and September19. Bidders are expected to submit their proposals on November 8 and evaluation of technical proposal would come up one month later,” Mohiuddin said.
He said names of successful bidders would be announced, while the handing-over of the assets to the investors would come up before June 2014
He gave the assurance that the plants would not be handed over until completion and commissioning.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is set to tackle the menace of vandalism of power infrastructure in the country, according to the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ibrahim Haruna, the Deputy Director, Press in the ministry and made available to newsmen in Abuja last Friday.
The statement said that the ministry was partnering with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to ensure the success of the task.
It quoted Nebo as having said this when the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr Ade Abolurin, and his team paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
The minister added that the ministry would collaborate with all security agencies and other stakeholders to safeguard power infrastructure throughout the country.
He described power as “central and critical” to the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda, adding that government would not sit back and allow unscrupulous elements to vandalise the equipment.
Nebo observed that successive governments in Nigeria had spent billions of naira to procure power infrastructure, adding that vandalism would derail the planned efforts at ensuring uninterrupted power supply, if not checked.
He stressed that the ministry would leave no stone unturned, in its quest to protect power lines and transformers from the activities of vandals.
Nebo, who said that power lines and transformers were key in the power chain, revealed that the President had committed a lot of resources; both material and financial to the power sector.
He said that the ministry, being the guardian and superintendent of the sector could not afford to fail in providing electricity to Nigerians.
Earlier, the Commandant-General said the NSCDC was conscious of the problems confronting the Ministry in ensuring the security of power equipment in the country.
Abolurin stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to protect the equipment and for the government to succeed in providing uninterrupted electricity supply to the people.
The commander-general, who called for information sharing and surveillance in the course of protecting power equipment, added that the NSCDC had been protecting infrastructure for all the sectors of the economy since its inception.
Our correspondent reports that the NSCDC, formerly known as Lagos Civil Defence Committee, came into being in May 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War,
It was initially meant to sensitise and protect the civil populace within the then Federal Capital Territory of Lagos.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi