By DANIEL IDONOR
ABUJA—AT its resumption yesterday, after three weeks Christmas and New Year break, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, said it was exploring the possibility of using coal to fire electricity plants in the country, as part of it efforts to enhance power supply to Nigerians.

To this end, a FEC session presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, resolved to diversify fuel mix, by approving the award of contract for the generation of coal electricity.

The job entails the provision of consultancy service for feasibility studies, detailed engineering design and drafting of contract documents for the development and construction of a coal-fired power plant in Enugu axis at the sum of over N1 billion.

The FEC, which approved the award of some other power generating contracts running into a total of over N4 billion, also awarded similar contract for the Benue-Kogi-Gombe axis transmission line at a cost of N623 million.

While the first contract for the coal-fired power plant was awarded to Steag Encotec West Africa/IMC, the second one has been awarded to GTA/WAPCOS.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting yesterday, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, stated that one of the key goals of the government in the current development effort of the power sector was the enhancement of security of supply of electricity through the diversification of fuel mix.

According to Maku, other power project which FEC looked into and approved are the design, manufacture and supply of two numbers of 300MVA, 330/132/33KV power transformers, complete with accessories and spare parts to VON ROLL Transformer limited at the cost of N818,195,000 plus N168,687,544.41 with delivery period of nine months.

Others are the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of 2 x 30/40MVA, 132/33KV Sub-station at Malimfashi and 2x132KV Line bays extension at Kankara substation at the total cost of N755,029,700, including a provisional sum of N145,193,202.73 and the same project at Lafia and Akwanga in Nasarawa state at a total cost of N794,349,800.