By Chris Ochayi

The Federal Government has signed Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, with three power firms – 3D Hitech System Ltd, SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Corporation, and CGC Nigeria Ltd, with a view to boosting generation, distribution, and supply in Nigeria.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who signed the agreement, which held at the Ministry’s conference room, charged the companies to deliver on their promise so as to beef up the level of power supply.

According to him, “Nigerians are hungry for power and would still demand for more, even if the output of these MoU were doubled, tripled or quadrupled.”

He commended the 3D Hitech for its proven capacity in the test running of the 110MW of power it is currently working on, which will soon be commissioned, adding that the 500MW gas fired turbine to be cited in Ajaokuta, will also go a long way in enriching the national grid.

The Minister, who noted that transmission is fast becoming a major bottleneck in the distribution of electricity, commended both the CGC and SEPCOIII for their interest in financing and providing transmission infrastructure, describing it as a move in the right direction.

According to him, the money being injected into the sector by private institutions will no doubt, go a long way to inject more life into the transmission network. He further assured of the necessary moral support and government backing in the realisation of its mandate.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, 3D Hitech, Mr. Patrick Azi, said the ground breaking ceremony for the 500MW in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, will soon be held and assured of its installation within six to nine months.

Also responding, the Managing Director, CGC Nigeria, Mr. Li Xuhui, said the company’s MoU was for the financing and execution of transmission projects. He assured that his company will work diligently to ensure that funding is made available for the strengthening of the transmission network.

Similarly, the Executive President, SEPCOIII, Mr. Zhang Hongsong, said his company will ensure that the supply, refurbishing and replacement of transmission materials are given top priority so that the goal of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda is fully realised.