FG to build $4bn coal power plant in Benue

By Kunle Kalejaye

The Federal Government is set to build a coal power plant worth $4billion in Benue State, the Chairman of Pacific Energy, Mr Adedeji Adeleke, has said.

He made this known during the official commission ceremony of the Electric Training Centre in Olorunsogo Power Plant, built by SEPCO llI and Pacific Electric Power, in Ogun State, which was contracted to SEPCO in 2007.

The chairman said that the coal power plant when completed is capable of generating 120 megawatts, adding that the ground breaking of the power plant is scheduled to hold soon.

It is believed that when the country’s power sector is fully privatised by the end of 2012, it will create more opportunities for growth and socio-economic development.

He noted that when the privatisation process is completed, the country will hit 20,000MW as promised by the Federal government.

Not only does Nigeria have huge coal deposits in Enugu, Kogi, Gombe and Benue states, it also has the world’s cleanest type of coal.

Mr James Olotu, the Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, owners of Nigerian Independent Power Projects, NIPP, said that the new Electric Power Training Centre, will go a long way in educating Nigerians in various aspects of electricity technology.

He said that SEPCO has been a power booster company to Nigeria’s electricity generation that has created jobs opportunity for Nigerians.

At the inception of the current administration, Olotu said government began to seek avenues to enhance power infrastructure capacity in the country, through bilateral investment between Nigeria and China.

“As at today, four turbines have been commissioned with the capacity to deliver 500MW into the national grid subject to availability of gas. Human capacity development and transfer of technologies are key to efficient, effective sustainable development of industry and commence and it is important to our future growth,” he said.

Olotu, gave the assurance that the training centre will boost the cordial relationship existing between Nigeria and the Republic of China.