SUMMARY OF ENGAGEMENT ON NDOKWA/UKWANI ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT.

Yesterday, 19th August, 2024, the House of Representatives Committee on Power, under the leadership of its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Nwokolo, held a crucial meeting with the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and key officials from the Ministry of Power, including the Managing Director/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz.

During the session, Rt. Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, the esteemed Member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, revisited the ongoing concerns regarding the stalled electrification project for his constituency. He voiced his deep concern and dissatisfaction over the prolonged lack of electricity in Ndokwa/Ukwuani communities, despite the region's significant contributions to the national economy. Hon. Ezechi specifically addressed Engr. Abdulaziz, emphasizing the urgency of completing the Okpai-Kwale 132KV double circuit transmission line, the construction of a 1 x 60MVA, 132/33KV substation at Kwale, and a 1 x 150MVA, 330/132/33KV substation at Okpai.

In response, Engr. Abdulaziz openly provided additional insights into the challenges that have delayed the project's completion. He acknowledged the price variations and community-related issues as primary obstacles. Additionally, he highlighted that the emergency procurement of equipment, driven by constituency agitation, led to petitions against TCN being submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These petitions have further complicated the project as TCN, and the petitioners are now entangled in EFCC hearings, effectively stalling any further progress on the electrification initiatives.

Despite these setbacks, Engr. Abdulaziz reassured Hon. Ezechi and the people of Ndokwa/Ukwuani that once the EFCC investigations are concluded, and all issues are resolved, the contractors will be fully mobilized to resume work on the electrification project, with the goal of finally meeting the longstanding power needs of the Ndokwa/Ukwuani communities.

This engagement underscores the persistent efforts by Hon. Ezechi to ensure that the Ndokwa/Ukwuani constituency receives the much-needed electrification infrastructure, while also highlighting the complex challenges that have delayed the project's timely completion. The commitment from TCN's leadership to push forward, once legal hurdles are cleared, offers a glimmer of hope for Ndokwa nation.