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Edo to partner Niger Delta Power Holding for power generation

By Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City
18 August 2017   |   4:22 am
Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration is set to seal a partnership deal with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC)...

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki

Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration is set to seal a partnership deal with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, on bulk power supply to boost industrial activities in the state.

Obaseki disclosed this when he received the management team of the NDPHC who paid him a business visit over the weekend in Benin City where he said he was optimistic that about 2,000Mega Watts of power could be generated from the power plants in the state in the next few years.

The governor said that his administration had always wanted to engage with power investors to understand the challenges and what it could do to optimise the benefits of having power plants located within the state.

“Our goal is to make that whole axis an electricity generation corridor. Our hope is that by the time we finish in five to 10 years’ time, we should be able to generate a minimum of 2,000mw from that location.

“Where Nigeria is today, there are certain realities we have to deal with. First, global prices for crude oil will not exceed the current prices we have seen. So by the time oil touches about $50, there will incentives for oil shale producers and all the other marginal producers.

“Therefore, our ability to support import is gone. The key to growth and our salvation as a country would be domestic production and you cannot have domestic production without electricity.”

Obaseki continued; ‎”With your investment in Oben gas supply, can we not begin to think through with you how we can now bring in people who can bulk-purchase power from you and distribute close by so that we use it for production in our neighbourhood?

“These are the kinds of thoughts we would like to pursue with you very quickly. Since you can step-down (electricity), can’t we now look at a way off working with you to now begin to bring users to come close by and utilise the power, rather than just sit down?

“If it is something that is agreeable to you, it is one area we will have to quickly work with you. We have mapped that whole area and we have taken some very interesting steps to make sure that we lock down. There is not a bit of land around there. Fortunately, we also have gas; we have water close by.”

“So, we are in the process of commencing the master planning and it is one of the ideas we will like to push with you. There is not too much to talk about. It is not a complex thing; you have power (but) you are not able to sell it. Can we work an arrangement with you, where we can find buyer and locate the buyers close by for them to use?”

Earlier, Ugbo, explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening areas of collaboration.

He also listed the locations of the company’s power plants to include, Ihovbor (Edo), Egbema (Imo) and Calabar (Cross River).

“We would seek Your Excellency’s support to expand these power plants and others. At the appropriate time, we will bring them to the board,” he added.

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