Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has expressed delight with the progress of work at the 215 megawatt Kaduna power plant.
Vice President Sambo stated this on Tuesday, April 16, when he chaired a meeting to discuss the progress of work at the Kaduna Power Plant, located at the Kudenda Industrial Layout, which held at the State House, Abuja.
Vice President Sambo commended the Ministry of Power for adequately managing the project, which had reached an advanced stage of completion.
He noted the collaborative efforts of the Ministries of Power and Works and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), in moving heavy equipment meant for the Plant from Onne Port in Rivers State, to the project site in Kaduna.
Arc Sambo said, “I have been reliably informed that the plant’s equipment, in support of the Ministry of works, are now being moved to site, this is a good indication that our planned completion period for end of 2013 will be accomplished”.
Vice President Sambo therefore charged the Ministry of Power and the contractors handling the project to scale up work at the Plant’s critical facilities such as the Switch Yard and the storage tank. He also tasked them to expedite action on the road networks and the rail link to the Plant.
He directed the project team to strictly observe weekly site meetings, stressing that it was a veritable avenue for issues that might impede the pace of work to be tackled, as it also provides an avenue that engenders proper coordination of work schedule. He assured them of the commitment of President Jonathan to ensure that all power projects in the country are completed on schedule.
Earlier the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, thanked the Vice President for the commendation, adding that the Ministry would ensure that the contractors handling the power plant strictly observe and adhered to the terms of their contract, stressing that the project completion date would be met.
In a related development Vice President Sambo at an emergency meeting to address issues relating to the Ajaokuta and Lokoja NIPP substation and transmission lines following challenges they are facing directed that the contractors handling the projects mobilise more manpower to site to ensure the smooth progress of work. He particularly cautioned against lateness as government was planning a detailed programme for the commissioning of the completed power plants. He also called for the use of appropriate equipment to enable the pace of work progress according to specification.
The Vice President directed a fast-track of work on the Lokoja plant which is meant to supply power straight to Abuja. He urged the management of NDPHC to make available to him the current progamme of work to enable him ensure monitoring of the work progress to meet government’s set target.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali and other top government functionaries. Others are representatives of the contractors and the consultants handling the project.
