Jonathan commissions Omotosho power plant.

■Adds 534 megawatts to grid

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned phase 11 of the 534 megawatts Omotosho Power Plant, promising that the country would soon enjoy steady power supply. The Ondo State located plant and the other nine, were built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria (NDPHC).

Speaking at the commissioning on Saturday, President Goodluck Jonathan assured Nigerians and other private investors that “although we started slowly, but we are definitely sure that we shall get there.”
He promised all workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) that are yet to receive their severance packages that they would be paid before the physical handing over of the PHCN successor companies on November 1, 2013.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, commended the President for his desire to transform the power sector. According to him, “when the Roadmap to Power Sector was first launched in August, 2010, so many people were doubting the ability of the then Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, but today, Mr President has proved to them that it is achievable. We thank the President and all other stakeholders who believe in the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.”
The Managing Director, NDPHC, Mr. Abiodun James Olootu, also promised that all the 10 power plants built by NDPHC would be fully privatized by the first quarter of 2014. “All the power plants built by NDPHC will be privatized in first quarter of 2014 and a total 4064MW would be added to the national grid by this period.
“Two weeks ago, Geregu power plants were commissioned with 343MW generation capacity and today, another 534MW plant has been commissioned. We assure Nigerians that all the NDPHC would continue to invests in power generation,” he stated. Many stakeholders at the commissioning expressed optimism that sooner, all power output challenges would be resolved if the governments at all levels can sustain the present commitment.