NDPHC sets October 2027 date for completion of Alaoji power plant project

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has set October 2027 as the new completion date for the long-delayed 570 Megawatts Alaoji Combined Cycle Power Plant in Abia State, saying the project has now reached about 16 per cent completion.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, disclosed this on Thursday during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Power to the facility, which is expected to boost power supply to the southeast.

Adighije said the revised completion timeline followed earlier delays that affected the project schedule, adding that the company had compelled the contractor to submit a recovery plan to accelerate work.

“Presently, we had experienced some slippages in the past, and we had to compel the contractor to come up with a recovery plan, which they have done,” she said.

“Initially, we had envisaged that the project would be completed by the end of this year, but clearly that is not possible. With the revised schedule, we are now working towards completion by the third quarter of 2027.”

She noted that the project had recorded notable progress since the current management assumed office.

According to her, when she assumed office the project had recorded slightly above one per cent progress but has now reached about 16 per cent.

Adighije assured lawmakers that NDPHC was providing the necessary technical and financial support to ensure the project progresses without further setbacks.

“We are prepared as management to provide all the necessary support in terms of engineering, and we have been doing that. That is why we are gaining traction,” she said.

“In terms of finances, we always ensure that we meet our obligations to the contractor. We are not owing the contractor, so there is absolutely no reason to envisage any slippages for now.”

She also commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the Power Sector Refinancing Plan, which she said would improve liquidity in the electricity market and support ongoing power projects.

“We want to thank Mr. President for graciously approving the Power Sector Refinancing Plan because with improved liquidity we can make future investments into ongoing projects,” she added.

Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Rep. Victor Nwokolo, commended the leadership of NDPHC for accelerating work on the project and resolving several logistical bottlenecks that had stalled it for years.

Speaking after inspecting facilities at the plant, Nwokolo said the committee observed tangible efforts by the company to recover critical equipment needed for the project.

Let me start by commending the MD for being proactive. During our tour of the installation, we saw that a lot of containers have been recovered, over a hundred containers. That shows that extra effort is being put into the system,” he said.

He noted that delays in clearing imported equipment from Nigerian ports had slowed down many power sector projects, particularly those belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

“Today, one of the problems we are having with TCN is that virtually all their imports are being held in the seaports. But here, it is a different story from what it used to be,” he said.

Nwokolo said the committee had directed the contractor to provide NDPHC management with detailed information on equipment purchases and manufacturing progress to prevent further delays.

“We have asked that management should be kept fully in the picture by the contractor on the purchases they have made so that their team can go for on-the-spot assessment of the equipment,” he said.

He also urged the contractors to accelerate external works on the project, particularly ahead of the rainy season.

“We have asked them to improve on their progress, particularly the external works, because by the time the rains start it will be difficult to work. They have assured us that the piling works will be completed soon,” he added.

The lawmaker noted that the project, which has been in development for over two decades, is critical to boosting electricity supply to Aba, one of Nigeria’s major commercial and manufacturing hubs.

“If you know the history of this project, it has taken over 20 years. That shows that the present management is living up to expectations. But Nigerians want to see the physical light,” he said.

According to him, reliable electricity supply to Aba would significantly boost economic activities and employment.

Aba is a place where you have a lot of self-employment and businesses that need power. By the time this place is completed, the issue of unemployment will be greatly addressed, not just in this region but across Nigeria,” he said.

“When you go to Aba now, there is no part of Nigeria that is not represented there. People come from everywhere to do business.”

Nwokolo added that electricity access should be seen as a major driver of economic growth.

“We are not talking about having light just to sleep. We are talking about having light to work and generate income. That is what the common man wants to see,” he said.

Adighije who conducted the lawmakers round the facility alongside the Executive Director, Generation, Engr. Abdullahi Kassim, and Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, reiterating the company’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s goal of expanding electricity access nationwide.

We will ensure that the vision of Mr President, which is to achieve electricity access to all Nigerians, will be achieved,” she said.

Culled from vanguard