The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, commended the contractors and consultants of the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, but issued them a deadline for the completion of the projects.
Sambo gave them a mandate to make the project ready for commissioning by the end of 2013.
He gave the order on Saturday at the State House, Abuja, during a meeting to discuss the commissioning of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) power plants with the stakeholders handling the projects.
He applauded the work already done by the NIPP which he said has added over 1000MW of electricity to the national grid. He reiterated that all NIPP projects would be commissioned from now to the end of the year and urged contractors to resolve all challenges that may hinder the realisation of this goal.
The vice president said the deadline and the date of commissioning are final as penalties will be meted out to any errant contractor.
The major challenge of the power plants was identified to be the availability of gas. Other challenges include the metering system, settlement of outstanding invoices, sinking foundation, housing, and erection.
The ten power plants, as presented by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Company, and their commissioning dates are: Omotoso ? 450MW, June, 2013; Sapele ? 450MW, August, 2013; Geregu ? 434MW ? July, 2013; and Olorunsogo ? 750MW, September, 2013;
The commission dates for the others: Ihovbor ? 450MW, Ihovbor ? 450MW, Gbarain ? 225MW, Alaoji ? 450MW, Calabar ? 561MW, Egbema ? 338MW and Omoku ? 225MW would be determined in the course of the year after some minor challenges are fixed.
The Vice President urged the contractors to ensure that the power plants function properly after commissioning.
He told them that he would make an inspection visit to all the stations before President Goodluck Jonathan commissions the power station.
