By Teddy Nwanunobi
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in collaboration with Chinese and American firms, have begun the construction of a 50 megawatts gas power plant in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, the emergency power project would supply electricity to Maiduguri and environs upon completion.
“The project would bring significant relief to the people of Borno State”
It followed the sustained attack on power supply lines (330 KVA and 132 KVA lines) from the national grid to Maiduguri by suspected terrorists which have put the city and environs in total blackout for the past nine months
In August 2021, the NNPC signed an official contract with China Machinery and Engineering Corporation, CMEC and General Electric, GE for the construction of the project.
The corporation stated that the groundbreaking ceremony signified the official commencement of the project as the contractors had since moved to the site.
Speaking at the occasion, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, assured that the project would be delivered in good time, and has already awarded the contract to General Electric Global for the supply of gas turbine.
Kyari said orders have already been placed for turbine and other facilities for the project.
While performing the groundbreaking ceremony in Maiduguri, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, said that the project would bring significant relief to the people of Borno State.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for approving the construction of 50 megawatts power plant, which is the first of its kind in the history of the country.
Zulum said the plant would impact positively on socio-economic activities of the state which has been crippled by the destruction of electricity towers by the insurgents.
The Governor assured residents of the commitment of his administration to work with all stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of the project in the stipulated six months’ time frame.
He expressed the appreciation of the government and people of Borno to Buhari and NNPC for the sustained concern and support to the people of the state.