– The Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Power, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, has commended the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Ltd Management for their proactive approach in reviving the NIPP Egbema Power Plant.

The Chairman gave the recommendation after on a site inspection stating that the project has attained 60 per cent completion, led by the Managing Director/CEO of NDPHC.

Hon. Nwokolo observed that the project had faced delays due to litigation issues, but the new Management and contractor have significantly accelerated progress.

He declared that from the inspection, approximately 60% of the work has been completed, bringing the project closer to commissioning.

Olufunke Nwankwo; General Manager, Communication & Public Relations (NDPHC), in a statement, while addressing broader sectoral concerns, Hon. Nwokolo acknowledged the cash crunch in the industry but praised the President for signing the Electricity Act, which has improved the financial viability of the power sector.

He noted that new tariff structures are making the sector more attractive to investors and financial institutions.

The Committee Chairman also commended the Minister of Power and contractors for their dedication to ensuring steady progress of the project.

He emphasized that beyond electricity generation, the project would create jobs, enhance security, and contribute to economic growth in surrounding communities.

He assured that Egbema Power Plant, with adequate funding, will soon reach full operational capacity and align with other functional power plants.

Nwokolo assured that the National Assembly will not distort allocations, ensuring funds are effectively utilized.

He emphasized the strong relationship between NDPHC and the legislative committees on power, which has contributed to smoother legislative oversight and minimal public hearing issues.

The inspection reaffirmed the commitment of both the Executive and Legislative arms of government to enhancing Nigeria’s power sector.

The House Committee on Power expressed confidence in NDPHC’s leadership and assured continued legislative support to address sector challenges, particularly in securing adequate funding for project completion.

Earlier, the Managing Director/CEO of NDPHC Ltd, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, emphasized the significance of the Egbema Power Plant as a key project under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).

Providing an overview of the plant’s status, Engr. Adighije, pointed out that the project consists of three generating units with an installed capacity of 375MW and that it was awarded to CMEC China Machinery Engineering Company in 2023, with completion targeted for end of the year.

She highlighted the broader challenges facing the power sector, particularly a liquidity crisis of over ₦4 trillion owed to generation companies (GenCos), urging for presidential intervention to facilitate funding for ongoing projects, settle outstanding payments, and enhance electricity access nationwide.

Furthermore, she reiterated NDPHC’s commitment to advancing President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s vision of reliable, affordable electricity, positioning the company as the backbone of Nigeria’s power sector.