Power Project to Fetch Rivers More Revenue
From Okon Bassey in Port Harcourt
Rivers State government is to earn more revenue into its coffers, as the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA)commences payment for 30 megawatts of power received from the state-owned Gas Turbine Station at Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt.
Already, a power purchase agreement signed between Federal Government and Rivers State cedes 70% of revenue generated from the Gas Turbine station to the state, while 30% goes to NEPA as the cost of distribution to end users.
These details were revealed last night in Port Harcourt by the Minister of Power, Senator Liyel Imoke, while speaking at a dinner hosted in his honour by the state Governor Dr. Peter Odili, at the Brick House.
According to the minister, of the three states that started the Independent Power Project, Rivers State is the first to complete it and it �s the only state that has also signed a power purchase pact with NEPA.
"We are here now celebrating the success story of Rivers State, and we are still expecting the arrival of the other two states that started the race with Governor Odili," Imoke said, adding that "Rivers State has even gone ahead to exceed its target with the 150 megawatts Omoku station nearing completion."
He noted that by the time the Omoku station comes on stream, the state would be generating 180 megawatts, more than NEPA would have done here in the state.
"The beauty of your power project is that you will reach the remote areas of your state, which NEPA in the next 10 years would not be able to reach whether it is privatised or not," the minister said.
He observed that the technology used in the state Gas Turbine project is alien to NEPA, as it incorporates usage of marine cabling and underground water cabling technology, to transport electricity to Island communities in the state, a development which he said NEPA would not have been able to achieve.
"If Rivers people do not appreciate it today, certainly, history and posterity will vindicate the governor," he said, stressing that "for us in the Ministry of Power, we appreciate the magnitude of this project."
He described Odili as an achiever by all standards, and a political mentor, whose doggedness and commitment to the power programme saw to its realization even when people attempted to sabotage it.
"It is the first state-owned power plant that is connected to the national grid," he said.
Earlier, Odili had thanked the minister for his confidence in the state power project, which he said has been criticised by people, who do not mean well for the state.
He said "since October 3, 2002 when the Trans Amadi Turbine station was commissioned till date, it has been delivering power to NEPA for transmission to Nigerians," adding that by the Power Purchase Agreement signed a few days ago, NEPA will take all the power generated by the station and pay 70% of proceeds to Rivers State government.
"For Rivers State, two things have been achieved with this. One of them is service to the people and the other is returns for wise investment," the governor noted.
Odili said the state is now ready for industrialisation, as power holds the key to industry and growth.
He said he was equally pleased that the 3rd Gas Turbine Station, that will generate 150 megawatts of electricity would be commissioned in a few months time, adding that the good news is that the stations were built by indigenous engineers and contractors.
"People did not believe that Nigerians can build power stations. With this success story we can say that there's nothing that Nigerians want to achieve that they cannot. What we need is the political will and commitment to national interest," Odili said.
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