Nigeria approves budget for NIPP projects

The Presidential Steering Council on the completion of all on-going National Independent Power Projects (NIPP) approved the immediate release of the total sum of N 117.3 bn for three different projects.
A breakdown of the sum shows that the sum of N 43.239 bn is for the rehabilitation of existing electric power related infrastructures; N 2.1 bn for the construction of a ramp and jetty across the Imo River to allow for the movement of heavy equipments to Alaoji site in Abia State; and the sum of $ 480 mm for the expansion of the Alaoji power plant.

The Council gave assurance that with on going concerted efforts towards improving power supply across the country, the NIPP projects are on the right track, to meeting the targeted 6,000 mega watts generation by December, 2009. The committee which is headed by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has states' Governors of Delta, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Kaduna, Namadin Sambo, Benue, Mr Gabriel Suswan; and Ministers of Finance, Dr Mansur Muhktar, and Power,Mr Olariwaju Babalola, among others as members.
The council which rose from its 5th meeting at the Conference Room of the Vice President, where various contractors were invited to brief members on progress made from their respective projects, announced the decision to approve the new jobs aimed at fast tracking the smooth operation of the NIPP projects.

Addressing State House Correspondents on the outcome, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said the meeting with some of the contractors is coming after an on-the-spot assessment tour of the some of the contract sites by the council.
According to him, "a budget of N 43.293 bn for the rehabilitation of existing Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) infrastructure was approved by the NIPP Steering Council. The scope of work covers the entire value chain of generation, transmission and distribution".

He further said that "the council ratified the anticipatory approval of N 2.1 bn in favour of the EPC contractor, Rockson Engineering, subject to the issuance of No Objection certificate by the Bureau of Public Procurement for the construction of a ramp and jetty for the crossing of the Imo River Crossing thus facilitating the eventual delivery of heavy items to the Alaoji site for the construction of the power plant".
Governor Uduaghan who was accompanied to the briefing by the Ministers of Power and that of Finance, added that "the NIPP Steering Council has also ratified the anticipatory approval of the sum of $ 480 mm for the establishment of a letter of credit in favour of the EPC contractor, Rockson Engineering, for funding of the expansion phase of the Alaoji Power Plant".