Nigeria to commission 7 power plants, approves 5 roads

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The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, said on Wednesday that seven power plants and 150 new sub-stations built across the country were ready for inauguration.

The power plants are part of the 10 being built under the National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP) project.

Nebo spoke in Abuja after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The minister also announced that the council approved 10.2 million dollars for the procurement of six units of 40MVA 132/33KV Mobile Substations (with spare parts and accessories) to boost electricity supply across the country. He said an additional N247.3 million was approved for the clearing of the equipment at the port, its transportation and Value Added Tax (VAT).

He said the mobile sub-stations would be used to ensure the continuity of supply of electricity to consumers nationwide during major works at existing substations.

The minister said that 138 direct and 1,380 indirect jobs would be created at the six substations expected to be completed in eight months.

On Wednesday’s deadline for the payment of the remaining 75 per cent of the offer value of bids by the preferred bidders for PHCN successor companies, Nebo expressed the hope that the bidders would meet the deadline as many of them had responded positively as at Tuesday.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday also approved N123.8 billion contracts for the reconstruction of five key economic arterial roads across the country.

Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen disclosed this after the Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House.

The Minister said that following a memorandum he presented, FEC approved the contract for the completion of the reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi expressway section 2, phase II.

The contract, he said was awarded in favour of Messrs Julius Berger Plc in the sum of N14.989 billion with completion period of 15 months.

“The Apapa-Oshodi express road is a gateway to Apapa and Tincan Island ports and parts of Trans West African Coastal Highway.

“It is therefore of immense economic importance to the country and the sub-region.

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“Due to ageing the road had virtually collapsed and the damaging effects of heavy axle load vehicles carrying goods to and from the ports,’’ he said.

Onolememen said Council also approved the contract for the rehabilitation of Mokwa to Bida road in Niger State and Akure to Ilesha road in Ondo and Osun States under the Federal Roads Development Project.

He said Mokwa to Bida road was awarded in favour of Messsrs Triacta Nig. Ltd in the sum of N10.905 billion with a completion period of 24 months.

The Akure to Ilesha road, he said, was awarded in favour of Messrs Kopek Construction Ltd. in the sum of N7.339 billion with a completion period of 21months.

“The rehabilitation of the roads will improve road safety and reduction in travelling time, vehicle operating cost and road users’ cost.

“The rehabilitation of the roads will also greatly boost trade and economic activities along the routes, thereby contributing to the poverty reduction and employment generation,’’ he said.

The Minister said FEC also approved the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriage way sections I and II.

He said the Section I is from Lokpanta-Umuahia Tower while section II is from Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/Road Bridge crossing.

Section I, the minister said, was awarded in favour of Messrs Setraco Nig. Ltd in the sum of N39.548 billion with completion period of 40 months.

He said Section II was awarded in favour of Messrs Arab Contractors Nig Ltd in the sum of N50.892 billion, also with completion period of 40 months.

Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, who was also at the briefing, disclosed that the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) would on Friday commence the movement of container traffic by rail from Lagos to Kaduna.

Umar said that the NRC had taken the delivery of four locomotives made in China and two telescopic rail cranes made in Germany, to enhance the operations of the railways cargo freight.

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