By Gloria Essien, Abuja
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to promptly allocate the necessary funds for the completion of the Okpai–Kwale Transmission Line Project in the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta State. This call comes in response to a motion moved by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, the representative of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, on the pressing issue of inadequate power supply in the area.
To address the challenges hindering the successful completion of the power project, the House has also directed its Committee on Power to take the necessary actions and ensure prompt resolution, with the aim of delivering the project on schedule.
The motion highlighted the significance of the 960 megawatts Okpai Independent Power Plant, which plays a critical role in supplying electricity to Anambra, Enugu, and Abuja. It further emphasized that the transmission line construction project, which was awarded to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at a contract value of approximately 4.2 billion naira, has encountered substantial delays and has been stalled for over a year due to cost variations. Despite the contractor’s formal requests for additional funding to complete the project, it remains unfinished, with all efforts made thus far proving futile.
Of grave concern is the fact that despite being host to numerous oil companies such as the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), Midwestern Oil and Gas Limited, Energia Limited, Pillar Oil Limited, and Chorus Energy Limited, the communities in the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency continue to suffer from a lack of electricity supply.
In light of this situation, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi emphasized the urgent need to prioritize the electrification project in the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, in order to alleviate the immense hardship endured by the people due to the absence of reliable power supply.
