Vice-President Namadi Sambo has threatened to hand down appropriate sanctions to any contractor that fails to meet the deadline for the completion and commissioning of the National Integrated Power Projects.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Umar Sani, on Saturday quoted the vice-president as handing down the warning during a meeting to discuss the commissioning of Niger Delta Power Holding Company power plants with the stakeholders handling the projects at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Sambo reiterated that all NIPP projects would be commissioned from now till the end of the year, and urged contractors to resolve all challenges that might hinder the realisation of this goal.
He said all the agreements regarding the date of commissioning reached at the meeting remained final and defaulters would be penalised.
A challenge common to all the power plants, according to the statement, is the non-availability of gas.
Others are metering system, settlement of outstanding invoices, sinking foundation, way leave, housing, erection and commissioning of balance of plant, GT1, GT2 and transmission lines.
The 10 power plants, their capacities and their deadlines for commissioning, according to the statement are: Omotoso – 450MW, June, 2013; Sapele – 450MW, August, 2013; Geregu – 434MW – July, 2013; Olorunsogo – 750MW, September, 2013; Ihovbor – 450MW, date to be determined later.
Commissioning dates for Ihovbor – 450MW, Gbarain – 225MW, Alaoji – 450MW, Calabar – 561MW, Egbema – 338MW and Omoku – 225MW are expected to be determined in the course of the year after some minor challenges are fixed.
The Punch