Energy firm, partner inaugurate 150mw plant in Delta

• Okowa mourns Justice Ohwo, Ebikagboro
Proton Energy Limited and its partner, Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), have laid the foundation for the construction of a 150-megawatt plant in Sapele Local Council of Delta State.

The project, on completion in 2020, would provide electricity for 7.5 million Nigerians at an affordable price, thereby addressing the perennial power challenge in the country.

The $250 million gas-fired facility is a brainchild of Proton Delta Sunrise Project (DSP), a private investor.

The company’s Executive Vice Chairman, Oti Ikomi, said the foreign direct investment (FDI) would boost industrialisation, business and job in the community, state and the country at large.

“This project will be attracting close to $250 million of Foreign FDI into Nigeria, assisting industrialisation, business and job growth in the country, in Delta State and in particular, here in Sapele where up to 1000 jobs will be created during construction,” he said.

Ikomi said project aims to contribute to the national transformation agenda by adding 200 megawatts to the national grid over the next five to eight years in addition to generating employment opportunities during the two-year period of its construction.

Ikomi explained that the facility would be upgraded to 500 megawatts during its second phase.

He said the project was informed by the desire of his company to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the country and realisation of the private sector-led Independent Power Plant (IPP) to address for the nation’s energy deficit.

He noted that the country’s full potential would be unlocked if Nigerians were able to address her power challenges.

Noting that the diversification plan of government remains unrealisable without new sources of power supply, Ikomi submitted that the country was endowed with considerable energy sources and should enjoy a competitive advantage in low-cost and reliable power generation.

The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhue 1, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (rtd) assured the investors of an enabling environment.

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has expressed grief over the passage of the Administrative Judge of Ughelli Judicial Division, Justice Franklin Ohwo.

In a statement at the weekend in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, the governor said he received with sadness the news of the death of the late jurist.

The governor also mourned the former state chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Timi Ebikagboro, whom he described as a committed journalist who approached his job with truth and diligence.