By Daniel Idonor
ABUJA—CURRENT electric power generation is to be boosted with the completion of the Gurara Hydro Power Plant, which is now ready for inauguration.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, who gave the indication, has directed the Presidential Action Committee on Power to include the completed project on the list of other power projects billed and ready for commissioning before the end of the year.

Speaking at the meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Power in Abuja, Sambo said since the project was completed, it should be commissioned along with other projects due for commissioning.

Among the projects ready for commissioning are the 330/132Kv which include Akangba T/S with 150MVA 330/132 Tr;  Osogbo – 150MVA; Ayede – 150MVA; 60MVA.132/33KV.

Also ready for inauguration are Ughelli, Alimosho, Benin, Zaria, Biu and Gombe power plants.
Expressing concern over the non-evacuation of already generated power for onward transmission to power stations, the vice president requested the minister-in-charge of power to expedite action to ensure that generated power was evacuated for the nation’s use.

He also requested to be briefed on the why the operating companies, including Shell and Agip, have not been able to evacuate power generated.

The vice president urged the Presidential Task Force on Power to prioritise the expenditure in terms of those items that directly affect power supply in that order.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Nuhu Wya, said the Ministry had achieved 100% on the issue of payment of monetization to Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, staff.

He also said 907 staff were yet to be paid due to internal issues arising from death and other matters.
On the issue of delay in the evacuation of power, it was pointed out that non payment of compensation of about N2 billion which will enable the construction of new lines to clear the congestion, was responsible.

Wya suggested that power subsidy fund should target those who need it as live-line customers, stressing that “in this case, block tariff and pay-as-you-get schemes are to be used.”

It was also resolved that an account be opened with the Central Bank of Nigeria for easy operation.